[url]http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110619/ESPN-Toronto-rankings-110619/[/url]

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ctvtoronto.ca [COLOR=#666666]Date:[/COLOR] Sunday Jun. 19, 2011 5:11 PM ET ESPN has designated Toronto as the worst city for professional sports teams in North America in the ninth edition of its ultimate standings rank. The American sports broadcaster based the standings on how a city's franchise in the major leagues of baseball, football, hockey and basketball gives back to fans "in exchange for all the time, money and emotion the fans invest in them." Fans online voted for a team or city based on categories such as "fan relations, affordability, stadium experience, players and coaching." When combined, Toronto's teams earned the lowest-average score when compared to other cities. It's been more than 40 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup, and the team was ranked as the worst in terms of affordability and "bang for your buck." Over in the Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays were ranked the fourth worst team in Major League Baseball. The Toronto Raptors were also named the third-worst basketball team in the NBA. The Argonauts, Toronto's CFL team, were left out of the American rankings equation. The top franchise of the year was the NFL's Green Bay Packers.

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

I believe it.. Toronto is the worst city in Canada IMO.. So this is no surprise

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

[QUOTE=runningman;967324]I believe it.. Toronto is the worst city in Canada IMO.. So this is no surprise[/QUOTE] y?

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

lol why so hate?

the blue jays do pretty well, usually.

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

I am surprised a city such as Jacksonville or Tampa Bay didn't take that dubious honor.

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

i have to rank Miami up in there.

Why Lebron went to Miami is still beyond me. Its a city made up of pretend fans. look at what happened after the Dallas won the championship. Dallas pissed all over the city of Miami but yet the citizens basically embrassed em at the clubs and what not.

the entire city of Miami (Heat, Fish, Canes, Marlins, Panthers) def has one of the most Fraudulent Fan bases ever!!!

Noone gives 2 shits bout the Dolphins

Noone goes to see the Marlins; They had to play a 3 game home stand in Seatle because of a U2 concert. If it were the yanks vs the Marlins, MLB would have to u2 to fuck off

Panthers haven't been relevent since 1996

and the Canes can't even fill their stadium

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

Having grown up in Florida, I can't help but think that Floridians love their sports. But I am open to hearing that they don't from you 2 :lol:

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

[QUOTE=floridaorange;1003226]Having grown up in Florida, I can't help but think that Floridians love their sports. But I am open to hearing that they don't from you 2 :lol:[/QUOTE]

thats why the Dolphins are almost threatened wit blackouts for home games. they even sold Jets Gear at Joe Robbie

Theres more Lakers, Knicks, Bulls and Celtics fans at Heat Home games then heat fans. Heat fans mostly show up after tip-off and leave way before the game is over.

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

^I believe it, Florida is a transient state.

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

Sports in Toronto are a way of life and the fans are legion and devout. That being said, a lot of the franchises know this and take it for granted - I highly doubt there will ever cease to be a demand for tickets to a Maple Leafs game, and more than likely the Blue Jays are pretty much safe and set for life as well.

But it makes things a lot more difficult for new sports franchises to establish themselves - MLS set up shop a few years ago with the Toronto FC - they had a rabid following and the games were like a frenzied fun party. Now, they're struggling to be taken seriously by the same fans for making some seriously bullshit trades and taking some actions that the fans are questioning if the TFC figures that they have the same kind of following that the other major sports franchises do.

Couldn't really argue with the article at all - the fans here are very unlikely to ever allow the loss of a franchise here, and the owners know it.

Re: ESPN ranks Toronto as worst city for pro sports

pataky?