Top 10 Sports Teams We LOVE to Hate
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What makes a team one of the most hated franchises in sports? It's not that these are teams that suck in terms of success; they're just teams that are just the WORST in terms of annoying or obnoxious fans and/or a dirty style of play. Whether it's the Toronto Maple Leafs (Stanley Cup-less since 1967), America's Team the Dallas Cowboys or Manchester United, these are hateable teams with some of the most insufferable fandoms in all of sports. WatchMojo counts down ten of the most hated sports teams of all time.
Special thanks to our users mattwatchmojo and Oscar Flores for suggesting this idea! Check out the voting page at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest/top%2010%20sports%20teams%20we%20love%20to%20hate
Script written by Q.V. Hough.
#10: Manchester United F.C.
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For nearly three decades, this professional football squad operated under the management of Sir Alex Ferguson. During that time, Manchester United evolved into one of the most dominant clubs in Europe, and certainly one of the wealthiest. However, their legacy and so-called “glory supporters” often rub people the wrong way, as fans of the Red Devils can be slightly overbearing. Not to mention the hordes of bandwagon fans that align themselves with the club based solely on their success. In other words, this is the team that casual fans choose when trying to immerse themselves in the Premier League, making them the perfect target for supporters of less-successful English clubs.
#9: Toronto Maple Leafs
You could argue that this team’s lack of success since winning the cup way back in 1967 has made them too easy of a target. You could argue that, but you’d be wrong. Part of the reason hockey fans love to hate on the Leafs – which, by the way, is an acronym for LOSING EVEN AFTER FIFTY SEASONS – is that the majority of the hockey media is located in Toronto. That’s right, the people tasked with covering the whole league are biased towards its most unfortunate team. But things are starting to look up, with a talented crop of young players and a superstar coach in Mike Babcock… We can’t wait to see how insufferable Leafs fans will be once they actually win something.
#8: Boston Red Sox
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If you ask most baseball fans outside of New England, the Curse of the Bambino didn’t last long enough. For years, the Red Sox clung on to this superstitious narrative, blaming their 86-year championship drought on the sale of their star player Babe Ruth to their rivals the New York Yankees. But once they started winning again, with championships in both 2004 and 2013, they evolved into a wealthy franchise that could buy any player they needed to keep their dominance going, using their money and influence to lure stars away from smaller teams. What’s not to hate?
#7: Boston Bruins
Cliff Diving World Series 2012 Boston: Event Highlights
Hockey fans hate the Bruins because they play dirty. Chances are if you have a favorite team, you’ve spent time yelling at the refs through your TV about Brad Marchand or Zdeno Chara. They slash, they trip, they spear, they do all the things that other teams do, but they just seem to enjoy doing it. A team known for their toughness, it’s hard not to hate the Bruins when you have to watch them physically dominate your hometown team. Even when they don’t win the game, teams can tell when they’ve faced the Bruins by how sore they feel the next day.
#6: Los Angeles Lakers
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The Showtime Lakers sure know how to get on peoples’ nerves. Back in 1960, the Lakers moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles, making the finals six times within the decade and establishing a new sports culture in Tinsel Town. Just look at some of the players that have passed through this team, from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to Magic Johnson, to Kobe and Shaq – these guys are as divisive as the team itself, embodying both the love and the hate fans and opponents have felt for the Lakers ever since they relocated to La La Land.
#5: Boston Celtics
Cliff Diving World Series 2012 Boston: Preview
Like their historic rivals the Lakers, this NBA franchise has every reason to gloat, as they’re the most decorated team in league history with 17 championships. Even so, not many people actively root for the Boston Celtics outside of the city. They’re known for playing tough, as evidenced by legends like Larry Bird and Kevin Garnett. However, their gritty style of play can also be interpreted as dirty. Truth be told, they’re one heck of a franchise, but their dominance is what makes them the low hanging fruit to be hated – and their rowdy, passionate fan base certainly doesn’t help.
#4: Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys own the trademark to and often go by “America’s Team,” which, considering all 32 NFL teams are in America, can be seen as pretty annoying to other fan bases throughout the league. While Cowboy players come and go, the one constant has been owner Jerry Jones, a man with plenty of personality and even more money to spend. Jerry is loud, controversial, and does whatever he wants, making him the perfect head for this easily hate-able franchise. Since buying the team in 1989, he’s turned them into a money making machine, and one of America’s most hated teams.
#3: Real Madrid FC
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Even if you don’t pay close attention to La Liga, it’s likely you’ve heard the name “Cristiano Ronaldo.” He’s a man with movie star looks, and his record-shattering ability on the pitch is the primary reason why casual fans support Real Madrid FC. This Spanish squad spends lots of money, and they don’t’ really care what anybody thinks. As a result, it’s quite easy to root against the evil empire that is Los Blancos, even if they have the accolades to back up their swagger. While their rivals Barcelona’s heavy spending and dominance are comparable, there’s just something about those white jerseys and Ronaldo’s big ego that edge them out in the hatred department.
#2: New England Patriots
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In terms of 21st century sports, this is perhaps THE most polarizing franchise. On one hand, you’ve got Tom Brady – a man that barely made the roster before winning more Super Bowls than any other quarterback in history. His achievements alone make people jealous, but the New England Patriots franchise has gained haters for more understandable reasons. For one, they’ve been caught spying on opponents, and don’t forget the infamous “Deflategate” drama of 2015. They’re a franchise that wins year after year, often in dramatic fashion, but they just rub people the wrong way, especially given the hardheaded persona of head coach Bill Belichick. He is simultaneously the greatest and most hated coach in the history of the game.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
- Oakland Raiders
- Chelsea F.C.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
#1: New York Yankees
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Across the globe, there are certain teams known for their bravado and big money. In America, the national villain has always been the New York Yankees. It’s not that people actively hate the Yanks outside of the five boroughs; it’s just something you’re expected to do. They’ve got a storied franchise, but the glory days are long gone. Now, it’s about offering insane contracts to money-hungry free agents while the rest of the league invests in their own farm systems. Whether it’s a blockbuster trade or a multi-million dollar deal, the Yankees show no shame in their search for success, and it’s always entertaining to watch mid-market teams own them year after year.
