Which city is the better sports town? Chicago vs. Boston vs. Philadelphia (America, best)
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Just going by the completely unscientific method of how many random people around the city are wearing local team gear on a given day, I'd say it's probably Philly 1st with Boston 2nd and Chicago 3rd.
And using that same methodology, Pittsburgh would blow the doors off all of them. Sadly, a Roethlisberger or Polamalu jersey around here represents many folks' "Sunday Best" wardrobe.
Judging of who is the best is tough. However I will try:
Eagles Fans > Bears Fans > Pats Fans, The patriots have had unprecedented success recently but historically don't have the support the Bears and Eagles have had. The Eagles are, IMO, THE team in Philly, if you disagree you will get pelted with snow and ice balls.
Cubs & Red Sox > Phillies. This hurts as a Phillies fan and the recent successes of the Charlie Manuel era, but The Phils have sucked for many a years and attendance dips. However, The Cubs and Red Sox ballparks are destinations and ingrained into the very fabric of baseball. Both are traditionally some of the most packed stadiums in the league year after year.
Celtics > Bulls > Sixers. Again the Sixers are terrible and are often bad with poor attendance. The 90's bulls teams are arguably the most popular teams of all time. However both cannot stand up to the history of the Boston Celtics, and the era's of Russell and Bird. All 3 of these teams have had some of the greatest players of all time and some great teams.
Bruins > Flyers > Blackhawks. All 3 are very popular but IMO this is how it goes. The blackhawks recent surge in popularity is combined with their on ice success.
Even though the Philadelphia Union have a nice stadium in Chester, PA. I wish that they played at the sports complex in Philly with the other major league teams.
If you want to actually see how loyal sports fans are to their city and teams, look at them when their teams are abominable. The fans that show up are legit, I think Philadelphia's near the top in attendance in every sport except NBA.
Sam Hinkie is a genius and his rebuilding through the draft is going to pay immense dividends in the next three years. The Sixers will probably still tank and have a bad record for the foreseeable future but the team is more like a post-draft NCAA college team in terms of youth and talent. Lots of them have already had an impact (Carter-Williams was rookie of the year; monstrous performance his first year, Damian Lillard-esque) and most will continue to grow. Lots of high draft picks, lots of them will turn out being legit cornerstones, Embiid if he can stay healthy will probably be that guy. Noel is also very good too. They should be in the playoffs in just a few seasons with internal development, granted if the Sixers put a good coaching staff and medics on the team payroll as well.
Also worth noting are Chicago Cubs fans. I actually do admire that Chicagoans can still find themselves rooting for a team that last won when the Ottoman Empire still existed on our planet. LOL.
I just think in Philly, they take sports way, way, way, way , way too seriously. But I'll give them a free pass. I think its a byproduct of being so close to New York. Sports is the great equalizer to such inferiority complexes.
Thats why the most obnoxious sports fans tend to be in traditionally blue collar cities.
I just think in Philly, they take sports way, way, way, way , way too seriously. But I'll give them a free pass. I think its a byproduct of being so close to New York. Sports is the great equalizer to such inferiority complexes.
Thats why the most obnoxious sports fans tend to be in traditionally blue collar cities.
Remember we enjoy the hate in Philly Also it has nothing to do with New York, i.e. Pittsburgh fans are just as passionate and obnoxious. The average Philly fan is just breed that way. We start young, listening to Merrill Reese on sundays, going to a phillies game for your birthday, taking the Broad street line all the way down to the stadium complexes for the first to see the flyers. Getting to the stadium parking lot early on a sunday to get a prime spot, only to realize there is a massive line of cars waiting to get in before you. The first time you get to drink a few beers with just your dad and brother when you are still a teenager. It's more than just a game here. Probably the most understated aspect of it all, is how knowledgeable people are with each sport and all the players. we love sports here and it has nothing to do with your ideas.
If you want to actually see how loyal sports fans are to their city and teams, look at them when their teams are abominable. The fans that show up are legit, I think Philadelphia's near the top in attendance in every sport except NBA.
Sam Hinkie is a genius and his rebuilding through the draft is going to pay immense dividends in the next three years. The Sixers will probably still tank and have a bad record for the foreseeable future but the team is more like a post-draft NCAA college team in terms of youth and talent. Lots of them have already had an impact (Carter-Williams was rookie of the year; monstrous performance his first year, Damian Lillard-esque) and most will continue to grow. Lots of high draft picks, lots of them will turn out being legit cornerstones, Embiid if he can stay healthy will probably be that guy. Noel is also very good too. They should be in the playoffs in just a few seasons with internal development, granted if the Sixers put a good coaching staff and medics on the team payroll as well.
As a die-hard 76ers fan, we haven't been a championship contender since 2001 but I do think the Sixers now have better management and a great long term plan for success.
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Also it has nothing to do with New York, i.e. Pittsburgh fans are just as passionate and obnoxious. The average Philly fan is just breed that way. We start young, listening to Merrill Reese on sundays, going to a phillies game for your birthday, taking the Broad street line all the way down to the stadium complexes for the first to see the flyers. Getting to the stadium parking lot early on a sunday to get a prime spot, only to realize there is a massive line of cars waiting to get in before you. The first time you get to drink a few beers with just your dad and brother when you are still a teenager. It's more than just a game here. Probably the most understated aspect of it all, is how knowledgeable people are with each sport and all the players. we love sports here and it has nothing to do with your ideas. 
