danman99 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=404736 The Toronto Maple Leafs have hit a new low, at least according to ESPN Magazine. The American sports publication has branded the Leafs as the worst professional sports franchise in their annual 'Ultimate Standings.' The ranking, based on a variety of factors include categories such as 'fan relations,' 'ownership,' 'affordability,' 'stadium experience' and 'title track record," amongst others. The Leafs did not crack the Top 100 in any one of the magazine's eight core ranking categories, finishing three spots behind ESPN's next-worst NHL franchise, the New York Islanders. It is the Leafs' fifth-straight year as the lowest-ranked NHL franchise. In 2011, the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals were ranked below the Leafs in the overall count. The Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens were also among the NHL's six worst franchises and could not crack the Top 100 overall ranking in the four major sports. The No. 1 franchise in North American pro sports, according to the ranking, is the Oklahoma City Thunder. The highest-ranked NHL franchise is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who finished seventh overall - down from second in 2011. The top NHL franchises according to the magazine's individual categories are as follows: Bang for the Buck (wins weighted against revenues), Players (on-field effort, total 'likability), Coaching and Affordability: Phoenix Coyotes. Fan Relations and Ownership: Detroit Red Wings. Stadium Experience: Minnesota Wild. Title Track (Championships won or expected in the lifetimes of current fans): Pittsburgh Penguins. As for Canada's other pro sports teams, the Ottawa Senators were the highest-ranked, checking in at 42nd overall. The Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks were listed 91st and 92nd respectively. Outside hockey, the Toronto Blue Jays were ranked 79th and the Toronto Raptors were 103rd. No Canadian franchise cracked the Top 20 in any single category. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shift-4 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Pffft You don't need a sixth sense to figure that out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dion Phaneuf Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 ESPN has no clue what they're talking about. - Montreal is ranked so low and Tampa Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnLocke Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Lol. Why do I always feel tingly when the leafs are bashed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Mind Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Leafs > Blue Jackets no matter what they say. It's espn, of course they don't know what they're talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brahma Bull Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 hahahahahahhahahaha. i think espn is terrible, but this is still AWESOME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tortorella's Rant Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 There are far worse franchises than the Leafs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jägermeister Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 ESPN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SukhKular Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 How can they explain that the Leafs are worst while the Phoenix Coyotes are still in existence? At least they can sell tickets once in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassian Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Chicago Cubs? 100 years and counting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageForever420 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 ESPN doesen't know jack crap lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n00bxQb Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 So the most financially stable, not to mention highest grossing, team in the league, in spite of poor on-ice performance for nearly a decade, is the worst franchise, not just in the NHL, but in all of sports? I hate the Leafs as much, if not more (well, probably a lot more, actually) than the next guy, but give me a break ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnieds Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Did anyone even read the article or they just like to bash it cuz Espn wrote it? It's about which team gives to best bang for the buck. The best value based on regular and playoff success. In the leafs case, it's none. The leafs have the highest ticket prices in the league and they haven't made the playoffs since god knows when. The Coyotes charge much less for tickets and made it to round 3 last year and I personally would pay good money to see Stamkos play in Tampa. Even CBJ have made the postseason after the leafs did therefore ranking the leafs dead last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHL rocks Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 How can they explain that the Leafs are worst while the Phoenix Coyotes are still in existence? At least they can sell tickets once in a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 I saw this on TSN and it's utter rubbish. Tampa Bay the top NHL franchise? Toronto the worst franchise in N.A.? They aren't even the worst franchise in the NHL... Has ESPN not heard of the Charlotte Bobcats? Sacramento Kings? Columbus Blue Jackets? What a surprise that an American publication has all Canadian franchises ranked so low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langdon Algur Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 ESPN has no clue what they're talking about. - Montreal is ranked so low and Tampa Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharpshooter Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Did anyone even read the article or they just like to bash it cuz Espn wrote it? It's about which team gives to best bang for the buck. The best value based on regular and playoff success. In the leafs case, it's none. The leafs have the highest ticket prices in the league and they haven't made the playoffs since god knows when. The Coyotes charge much less for tickets and made it to round 3 last year and I personally would pay good money to see Stamkos play in Tampa. Even CBJ have made the postseason after the leafs did therefore ranking the leafs dead last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuckin_futz Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 And the Canucks are ranked 92nd because..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 "The ranking, based on a variety of factors include categories such as 'fan relations,' 'ownership,' 'affordability,' 'stadium experience' and 'title track record," amongst others." The tickets aren't really affordable for the average Joe. That's going to lose you major points in a list like this. The 'stadium experience' goes beyond the product on the ice and in the Canucks' case is non existent, Having Fin shoot t-shirts out of a bazooka is lame and the music they play is fit for a 12 year old girl's bday party. Hence the crap rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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