Who is the most screwed up franchise in the Other or so called big Four? (MLS not included because of the unique league structure). Which one does the best job of getting in its own way repeatedly? Fire away. Please remember to inlcude off-field management, etc. in your decision. It's not just on the field/ice troubles.
I have to vote for the Bungles. A completely hapless franchise, hampered by an owner who simply "does NOT get it". I would almost say "Arizona Cardinals" who are also under similar circumstances, with Bidwell being a cancer on that organization. You missed adding "LA Clippers" to your list, though. Donald Sterling is an offseason away from completely fvcking up that franchise. He has a boatload of free agents, including players of obviously superior talent, and he's going to let them walk probably.
It really depends on what question you asking. Worst ever for the life of the franchise? If so, the Marlins are out, because they've won a championship. And the Devil Rays are really too young to judge. In a little over 3 decades in the NFL, the Bengals have reached the championship twice, and reached the semi-final at least 3 times. Ken Anderson passed for more than 50,000 yards in his 17 year Bengal career, and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Current Hall-of-Fame finalist Boomer Esiason's Bengals in the mid-80s were consistently the best offense in the AFC. Anthony Munoz is in the Hall of Fame. They were founded by NFL legend Paul Brown. Bill Walsh invented the "West Coast Offense" when he was a Bengals assistant in the 70s, with Ken Anderson at QB and Isaac Curtis at WR. There are several franchises in the NFL that have not achieved as much as the Bengals. Now if you talking recend history, its hard to argue with the Bengals being among the worst teams in all of sports. From your list I voted for the Cardinals. How about the Detroit Lions?
Biased I guess , but having followed the team since a child in the mid 70s in NoCal, I would have to say the Warriors
I voted for the Cardinals. It seems people don't see how bad they are since no one really cares about them and they are not in a big TV market. Even in this age of parity and playing in a relatively weak division, they can't seem to rise to mediocrity. I see Bengals getting a lot of votes but like CrewStadium227 says, they were quite respectable until about 1991 and would have won at least one Super Bowl were it not for the brilliance of Joe Montana. I would vote for the DevilRays but they are relatively new and haven't had the history of futility that the other teams in the list have. Plus, signing Lou Piniella might be a step in the right direction. I hold my judgement on the Clippers until the next off-season, when iirc, Andre Miller, Michael Olowokwandi (sp?), Elton Brand and Quentin Richardson are all looking for new contracts. My guess is that the team will be dismantled, but I'm still giving Donald Sterling the benefit of the doubt.
I'd have to agree with the Az Cardinals, Bidwell is a cancer. However, honorable mention to the Texas Rangers and GS Warriors. I don't follow hoops, so there may be a more pathetic basketball franchise.
The Lions are definitely a dark horse pick for this. The team seems to be in constant turmoil, they haven't won a playoff game since 1991, they're 5-25 in the past two years under the new management. Every time theirs a glimpse of hope with this team, fate seems to take it away in the most devistating way possible. They were in the NFC Championship in 1991 losing to the eventual Super Bowl Champs. Before the merger, they won a few NFL championships. They did also have Barry Sanders, perhaps the only thing that was ever right with the franchise. The Fords need to give it up if this team is ever going to be successful.
the clippers are pretty bad..... when i lived in la several monthes ago everyone, of course, knew the lakers. but i would bet 1 in 5 people knew who the clippers were. damn that's right around Galaxy level i bet too
Which one's in the NHL do you want. I have a list for ya. Do want the one's with a crappy team or one's that are badly run?
Mike Brown took over the Bungles in 1991, haven't had a winning record since. That's pathetic in the NFL.
The Bengals have been pathetic for the last decade but the Cardinals have spent nearly the entire century being pathetic. I don't see how anyone can say the Bengals are a worse franchise.
No one has yet to mention the most obvious choice.....The Montreal Expos. Even going beyond their recent turmoil, the club has just one post-season appearence...1981. Also, you know that your franchise is cursed when you finally get a decent team only to have your season canceled by a players strike, which happened to the Expos in 94.
The Expos tended to have a good number of winning seasons under it's belt. It also drew more fans during it's days than the Yankees or other elite teams did.
Rangers- Proves that money always doesn't buy you everything. Islanders- Why is this team still in the league? The Mighty Ducks- Having Kayria and Selanne didn't help matters. The team has become a "Mickey Mouse Operation" The Flames- They still can't seem to find a coach after this long. They don't even have a reasonable season ticket base to start with. Sabres- To put it simply: Their toast. Any team in the US Southeast- Nuff said.
Islanders were arguably one of the best dynasties. 4 Cups in a row. Yes, they suffered throughout most of the 90's but last year Wang and Kumar gave Milbury the ok to go out and spend. Look what they got. I'm the last person that'll root for the Islanders but to wonder why they're still here is crazy.
The Islanders were brought in in order to block the WHA. The upstart league wanted to put a team in the Nassau Colisieum to challenge the Rangers. The Islanders have become nothing but a joke and have become one again. The Islanders should be put out of their misery.
Man, I needed a good laugh! Thanks. Donald Sterling will NOT sign any of these players. It's the Clippers, hands down, end of thread.