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Just a small quibble for a future thread lol...you have Sacramento way too low. It is unquestionably in the same category as your Tough 32 cities. Maybe perception hasn't quite caught up to it yet for some people, but it is way outta place for the grouping of cities you lumped it with...
I'd honestly say that Sacramento is right on the border when I was planning this out. But its not much different than say cities on the "bubble" of the 32 like Columbus, which I'd say is neck-and-neck for the final spot, with Cincinnati possibly also joining that bubble camp. I'd say it would be the #33 city, much like how Detroit/Denver are right on the bubble for this list. Still, I'd say its closer in importance to Fresno (the next tier down) than it is to the Bay Area in the top 5. And honestly, nine other cities in that tier have a pro sports team as well, so I'd hardly call it unreasonable to place it in that tier, and that could be done for a future poll.
Meanwhile, while Denver may be losing to Detroit, keep in mind I gave it my vote since it is basically the largest city between Phoenix and Chicago in importance, while having all four pro sports, and arguably a top 10 airport.
So the early returns are showing that people don't really see San Diego and Baltimore in this group. Not surprising with Baltimore; I am a little surprised with San Diego....can't say I disagree much with either, though...
We all agree Miami and Seattle are interchangeably the top two. That means there's a 4-city race for the final three spots between Denver, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Phoenix...
Personally I believe Detroit and Minny have to be in there, so just my opinion, the last spot is between Denver and Phx...
I'd honestly say that Sacramento is right on the border when I was planning this out. But its not much different than say cities on the "bubble" of the 32 like Columbus, which I'd say is neck-and-neck for the final spot, with Cincinnati possibly also joining that bubble camp. I'd say it would be the #33 city, much like how Detroit/Denver are right on the bubble for this list. Still, I'd say its closer in importance to Fresno (the next tier down) than it is to the Bay Area in the top 5. And honestly, nine other cities in that tier have a pro sports team as well, so I'd hardly call it unreasonable to place it in that tier, and that could be done for a future poll.
Meanwhile, while Denver may be losing to Detroit, keep in mind I gave it my vote since it is basically the largest city between Phoenix and Chicago in importance, while having all four pro sports, and arguably a top 10 airport.
Ah, the fabled sports team argument...
Sacramento's issue is these narrow views of it as a city that don't really judge it on its merits. It's a Top 25 media market and UA, and barely misses the Top 25 on MSA and GDP (26 and 27, respectively). We know it isn't a legacy city, and yet it offers pretty much everything that other cities its size offers---->by the way there are now two big league sports franchises in Sacramento...
The fact that it's too close to The Bay is a huge hindrance in the view of public perception for those like yourself who don't see it the same as your 32-group. I don't know where you'd put Oakland or San Jose, but if both of those cities were thought of as singular cities, Sacramento is much closer to them than it is Fresno, and all three would fall in that 32-group....and comfortably so, I'd add. It's hard for me to imagine either of the three on the bubble by any objective standard...
There are cities in that 32-group that are skating by on legacy more than anything else; others that are just more popular. Sacramento is a wonderful city that provides a lived experience right there with any of those cities, and even greater in some cases. Notoriously underrated and you're doing the same here, there really is no strong case that Sac would be lower than a Top 30 when its touching Top 25 on virtually all objective standards. Not having a franchise in every major league is more a product of its geography to The Bay and its relatively youthful development as a city, than it is saying anything poorly about the city itself...
Sacramento would be considered a major city damn near anywhere else in the United States, if it wasn't in California...
I voted for 6: Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, and San Diego. Two of the last ones I mentioned can 'battle' for 15th and 16th place. I would put Miami at 11 and Seattle at 12 (maybe... But I switch back and forth with those two). These cities are all booming and growing, which is why I voted for them.
I feel like Detroit, Baltimore, New Orleans and St. Louis are in their own category. They were once major stars who have declined significantly and seem to be in a rut. I don't say that with malice either. As I said in another post, hopefully they'll return to their greatest at some point.
11. Miami
12. Seattle
13. Detroit
14. Minneapolis
15. San Diego
San Diego is more important than Denver and Phoenix. It's a global hub for defense, international trade, and tech/innovation. Honestly...what are Denver and Phoenix important for? An airport or the state's sports teams? San Diego's industries and binational economy are a lot more important and impactful.
Being a big fish in a small pond doesn't automatically make you important at a national or international level.
Last edited by newgensandiego; 04-24-2020 at 12:40 PM..
Seattle Miami Phoenix Detroit Denver...16. MInneapolis
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