Minus NHL, did Atlanta just drop to Triple A of sports towns?
There's a banner we did not see very often in Philips Arena for Thrashers' games: playoffs.
Good morning. Did Atlanta just drop out of the majors?
This probably would carry a little more weight if Los Angeles still had an NFL team (which remains the funniest thing in sports, only because it drives Roger Goodell nuts). But when Atlanta was officially mugged by Atlanta Spirit, LLC and the NHL on Tuesday and the Thrashers were sold and moved to Winnipeg, the city dropped out of an elite group. There are only 12 remaining metropolitan areas that still have teams in all four pro sports leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL). Those 12: New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco (San Jose), Boston, Washington, Detroit, Phoenix (until the Coyotes move), Minneapolis, Denver and Miami.
Atlanta is now the second-biggest market (behind only Los Angeles) that doesn’t have teams in all four leagues. The second tier group of seven cities with teams in three leagues: L.A. (no NFL), Atlanta (no NHL), Houston (no NHL), Tampa (no NBA), Cleveland (no NHL), St. Louis (no NBA) and Pittsburgh (no NBA).
What I’ve done below is list every U.S. city with at least one pro sports team. This was kind of a tedious exercise, so if I missed a team let me know and I’ll recommend you for an editor’s opening.
I’ve ranked the cities by what Nielsen refers to as “designated market area,” which factors in some secret combination of population, media outlets and I think number of Wendy’s. Atlanta is the No. 8 media market in the country. The only others in the top 15 without teams in the four sports are No. 2 L.A., No. 10 Houston, No. 13 Seattle (which has only two teams after the Sonics were highjacked) and No. 14 Tampa-St. Petersburg.
Here’s the list. And here’s my question for you: Did Atlanta just become less of a major sports city without the Thrashers?
Let me know what you think.
(Market rank, metropolitan area (sports): MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL.)
1. New York-New Jersey (4): Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks, Nets, Rangers, Islanders, Devils.
2. Los Angeles (3): Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Ducks.
3. Chicago (4): Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks.
4. Philadelphia (4): Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, Flyers.
5. Dallas/Ft. Worth (4): Rangers, Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars.
6. SanFran/SJ/Oak (4): Giants, A’s, 49ers, Raiders, Warriors, Sharks.
7. Boston (4): Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins.
8. Atlanta (3): Braves, Falcons, Hawks.
9. Washington (4): Nationals, Redskins, Wizards, Capitals.
10. Houston (3): Astros, Texans, Rockets.
11. Detroit (4): Tigers, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings.
12. Phoenix (4): Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Suns, Coyotes.
13. Seattle (2): Mariners, Seahawks.
14. Tampa-St. Pete. (3): Rays, Buccaneers, Lightning.
15. Minneapolis-St. Paul (4): Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, Wild.
16. Denver (4): Rockies, Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche.
17. Miami (4): Dolphins, Marlins, Heat, Panthers.
18. Cleveland (3): Indians, Browns, Cavaliers.
19. Orlando (1): Magic.
20. Sacramento (1): Kings.
21. St. Louis (3): Cardinals, Rams, Blues.
22. Portland (1): Trailblazers.
23. Pittsburgh (3): Pirates, Steelers, Penguins.
24. Charlotte (2): Panthers, Bobcats.
25. Indianapolis (2): Pacers, Colts.
26. Raleigh-Durham (1): Hurricanes.
27. Baltimore (2):Orioles, Ravens.
28. San Diego (2): Padres, Chargers.
29. Nashville (2): Predators, Titans.
31. Salt Lake City (1): Jazz.
32. Kansas City (2): Chiefs, Royals.
33. Cincinnati (2): Bengals, Reds.
34. Columbus (1): Blue Jackets.
35. Milwaukee (2): Bucks, Brewers.
37. San Antonio (1): Spurs.
45. Oklahoma City (1): Thunder.
47. Jacksonville (1): Jaguars.
50. Memphis (1): Grizzlies.
51. New Orleans (2): Saints, Hornets.
52. Buffalo (2): Bills, Sabres.
70. Green Bay-Appleton (1): Packers.
(Canadian cities with teams not included: Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg.)
By Jeff Schultz
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279 comments Add your comment
Icepack
June 1st, 2011
3:21 pm
Hockey? Do all those folks in Roswell and Alpharetta need somewhere to go? The NHL is on its last legs as a major sport anyway. We’d trade the whole league for a good hitting outfielder for our lame-ass baseball team.
Let NONE in
June 1st, 2011
3:29 pm
Mash: Good one. Addition by subtraction of the worst team in the league. I like it.
Dr. Warren
June 1st, 2011
3:35 pm
Damn, Atlanta got big, didn’t it? In population, we’re bigger than Boston, too.
LAC
June 1st, 2011
3:39 pm
Bottom of the barrel, Losersville USA, cannot win any BIG game. I hope like HELL the hawks move too, Seattle needs a team back as well and I would be thrilled beyond words for THEM to leave, Atlanta DOES NOT NEED pro basketball, Worst sport ever, nascar a VERY close second.
Glad I am moving to Kansas City, This town is so bad in SO many ways it is not funny !
Even if you hate hockey, this is not good for ATL
June 1st, 2011
3:39 pm
Many Atlantans will not miss the Thrashers….many Atlantans would not miss the Hawks if they left….both are/were important to a city that makes its living on conventions and major sporting events…..the Metro Chamber of Commerce coined the phrase “Atlanta – the Sports Capital of the World” – this video covers damages to Atlanta’s reputation and civic pride resulting from the loss of a major league team:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldsg14vsGNc&feature=player_embedded
Would should have protected this asset. Sports Capital of the World – what a joke!
Puck Like A Porn Star
June 1st, 2011
3:42 pm
Where the hell is Vivlamore???
LAC
June 1st, 2011
3:42 pm
Oh forgot, Send dan uggla to Winnipeg too, HE $UCKS !!!!!
Atlanta IS a good hockey market, with the RIGHT commited owner, Losing Thrashers, makes this town a BIG NOTHING for me, so I am moving my business HQ, to KC, 18 will lose jobs because of asg and gary BUTTMAN !
wolfman
June 1st, 2011
3:58 pm
What is hockey?
Hillbilly D
June 1st, 2011
3:59 pm
Losing Thrashers, makes this town a BIG NOTHING for me, so I am moving my business HQ, to KC,
So since Atlanta is losing its NHL team, you’re moving your business to a city without an NHL team?
Redneck Spokesman
June 1st, 2011
4:05 pm
That there hockey is just too damn complicated. Blue line, red line, huh? But we do understand the high sticking, roughing, we like that.
dre
June 1st, 2011
4:07 pm
Atlanta will always be AAA as far as sports because Atlanta sports attendees just want to be seen. In no other city will you find so many idiots talking on their cellphones at games than here in Atlanta. It’s like we’ve just discovered cellphones!!!
Redneck Spokesman
June 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
they said them cell phones cause cancer and we could be those idiots that man was talking about cause we like to talk trash….white trash
dre
June 1st, 2011
4:17 pm
Redneck – LOL, you got me there
The real Hawks are in Chicago
June 1st, 2011
4:26 pm
Really, some of these comments are off the wall. I understand to a degree the frustration for the hockey fans. I would venture, that many here paint the true picture of winter sports in Atlanta. Non-existent. Your 95% numbers, your Dawgs, trying to say the NHL is lower caliber for losing Atlanta (been there done that and produced a Stanley Cup Champion after moving), and all the other excuses, are the reason the team moved. Was ASG bad ownership? Of course. Where were other prospective owners? Why not an offer? Because of the lease back provision?
Elroy is right. We’ll keep our hockey, 22,500 a night and 2 million person Stanley Cup Parade of a year ago. Great memories. Kind of like watching Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and the like in the mid 60’s when there were only 6 teams. Gosh, that sport must suck if its only grown 5 times its size.
Football starts soon!
Really?
June 1st, 2011
4:31 pm
So sad to see people dumping on the game of hockey. It is the fastest, toughest, most skilled game out there. Take anything that you like about any other sport and hockey has it, in spades.
Could it be as simple as southerners not understanding the rules of the game and hence, writing it off? That would be sad, but understandable.
It always amazes me that college athletics are so popular in the USA and that hockey is not more fully understood and appreciated. The vast majority of college players will not even get a sniff at the pros whereas the NHL is stocked with the most skilled athletes on the planet. Despite this, you’ll get 50,000 people out to watch a game played largely by (pardon the phrase) nobodys, and the city loses a pro sports franchise, again.
It’s mind-boggling, really.
Big Daddy (formerly waffleboy)
June 1st, 2011
4:32 pm
@The real Hawks are in Chicago- From 2003-2007, your Hawks drew right at 13,000. The Thrashers never had a three season run that low. The fan are here. The ownership admitted they didn’t want the team and tried to dump them. And yes, the NHL is hurt by this deal. What they have in Winnipeg is there and will never grow. Atlanta was a growth market. The league failed Atlanta, not the other way around.
thrashers rally
June 1st, 2011
4:34 pm
at the thrashers rally, even the thrashers mascot didn’t show up. Instead, the atlanta hawks mascot was there for some reason. did the thrashers mascot have a previous commitment?
Jacket21
June 1st, 2011
4:35 pm
Yawn. When does college football start up? Those puppies up in Athens need their high hopes dashed again. Has anyone here actually seen a Thrasher? Its the size of a Parakeet. The name is as bad as the idea of having a hockey team located here. This is 90+degree Atlanta, if you’re fancy is having some sport with a a goal at each end of the field, at least a MLS team makes sense versus a team that plays on ICE? Really?
shlomo
June 1st, 2011
4:40 pm
atlanta need not apologize for what happened to the thrashers. Ownership put a lousy product on the ice and fans voted with their wallets and stayed home. There is no shame in that. There should be no expectation of attendance without the appropriate commitment from ownership. They didn’t deserve our support.
chief pitchanono
June 1st, 2011
4:43 pm
NO, i think the number you put up last week says it all. If they had put a good product on the ice they would have been fine. They did not, and this is what happens. Its true, because it was hockey and its not a hugely popular sport in the south, they probably were on a shorter chain than the other pro sports, but still they had plenty of time get a competitive team going and they didn’t get it done. The owners are the only losers here.
Jacket21
June 1st, 2011
4:45 pm
“Really” – Its about the game, the team, the atmosphere, players that grew up in our home towns and with traditions so ingrained in the essence of our being. Hockey here is a novelty, certainly not worth the high ticket prices, played by rental players that grew up in eastern europe, russia, and that frozen country north of us, and our dollars go into the pockets of owners from anywhere but here that will leverage a higher return eventually one way or another by moving to another city.
Let NONE in
June 1st, 2011
4:46 pm
Jacket21: Those pupps in Athens going to whip your arse again this year. I think you queens won a couple of games back about 20 years ago by playing ineligible players…it was so long I can’t remember how you all cheated.
Let NONE in
June 1st, 2011
4:48 pm
I have a very important announcement to make: FISH FRY…<>
Wandering Georgian
June 1st, 2011
5:04 pm
This is not to knock hockey, which is as good a sport as any. But in terms of the American sports landscape, I don’t think it’s any more important than soccer (another sport I love). Moreover, in cities with a large Latino population, soccer’s probably a more important sport to have than hockey, so I’d argue that it’s a bigger deal for Phoenix NOT to have an MLS team than it is for them to have a hockey team.
But hockey and soccer are a distant fourth and fifth, respectively, on the American sports landscape. Heck, probably fifth and sixth behind college football, really. Lack of either sport doesn’t make a city “minor league.” Unless the New York and Philly markets are minor league for not having a powerhouse college football team.
Horsehockey
June 1st, 2011
5:04 pm
Just received my new Sports Illustrated in the mail. Big full page ad for the Hawks. I am not making this up. Could it be that ASG is actually investing in their other sports property.
AJC on radio
June 1st, 2011
5:12 pm
some guy from AJC is SLAGGING the former Thrashers owners on radio right now in Canada
http://player.rogersradio.ca/cjcl/on_air
bee233
June 1st, 2011
5:14 pm
Right Jeff, unlike Charlotte, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Nashville, Raleigh, Houston, Oklahoma, Phoenix, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc….
All the Crap naysayers read this
June 1st, 2011
5:19 pm
…but our city will die
…but we had our chance
…but we don’t grow the game
…but Mr. Bettman doesn’t like us
…but they need a new TV contract
…but we don’t have an owner
…but the arena is too small
…but there is no corporate support
…but there is only 700,000
…but Hamilton would be better
…but we can’t afford those prices
…but we won’t reach 13000
…but the BOG won’t approve
…but the dollar will collapse
…but nobody wants to come here
Seems like we are spanking a lot of those buts
PureEvil
June 1st, 2011
5:30 pm
Breaking News
Newly formed ownership group in Atlanta to get MLS soccer franchise!!! Reported name of the team will be
The Atlanta Lawn ferries
Atlanta87
June 1st, 2011
5:51 pm
WHO CARES!?!?!?!?!
Train Wreck Bystander
June 1st, 2011
5:57 pm
I’d rather lose the NHL than lose one of the other leagues. I’d even go so far as to say that a Sprint Cup race is more important than the NHL.
TheAntiMe
June 1st, 2011
6:03 pm
Actually, the NHL just became Triple-A without Atlanta and are heading toward being the CFL with Phoenix likely being relocated this time next year. The NHL is headed down the tubes.
Brendan
June 1st, 2011
6:04 pm
Jeff Schultz, you’re darned right Atlanta just became a AAA sports town. It’s inconceivable that the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, whisked this team away, preventing local, interested buyers, from any access to the revenues from Philips Arena. Had the Hawks, Thrashers, and Philips Arena been packaged together, I’m sure a local buyer would have emerged. Instead, the Spirit rightly sized up the situation, that Commissioner Bettman would take the $60 million relocation fee, to help prop up the struggling Phoenix Coyotes organization.
I guess, in the end, the Spirit Group laughed last. They didn’t much care for hockey fans, and the feeling was mutual. They just didn’t understand the dynamics of running an NHL franchise. Or they didn’t care. Or both. Bygones. Atlanta just became much LESS of a city, without pro hockey at the NHL level.
Jeff, Atlantans can think of themselves and their city on a part with New York if they want to, but we just took a backwards step in that comparison.
Ellis
June 1st, 2011
6:04 pm
We were screwed once the greedy coterie of selfish, egotistical and completely fan oblivious ownership, the “Atlanta Dispirit”, contrived to manipulate, along w/ “Bag Man and Bank Bettmyass Bettman,” their support base, all the while flickin’ fingers and busting gut laughing til they can find their next target to f@#k. Maybe they should have included Donald “True Joke” Frump in their heist plans. Then they could screw ALL OF USA at once! FILTHY MAGGOTS!!!
DawgDad
June 1st, 2011
6:13 pm
No, we are not AAA. Shedding an ASG-owned franchise is a positive first step toward an ultimate healing. One down, one to go.
MLS Soccer??? Dixie Speedway will likely outdraw them.
Brendan
June 1st, 2011
6:14 pm
Cornbread, let’s just hope Waddell doesn’t weasel his way into the Gwinnett Gladiators and ruin them, too.
sidslid
June 1st, 2011
6:29 pm
And Jacksonville has an NFL team, why?
Kevin
June 1st, 2011
6:51 pm
Funny Don Waddell No go to Winnipeg why would he been fired soon there…so that save the moron goin n bein fired too also why hell the atlanta sprit get keep logo of team they abuse it anyway bye gettin Don teflon waddell too.Also where hell was the media coverge of The Thrashers when at home Not any time in 11years u ever saw Local News doin a live shot at hockey games just the Hawks is all…Maybe Kakemm reed fuss over that after all where was Mr Mayor when all this happen..Just this from Office who cares was his reply folks if hawks go and moved he be out fast as mayo on a chicken save team.As i said AJC lousy coverge of Team too same be said U note they came around when we had about Movin out started…Fine Belkin n ASG u keep logo n all rights keep this fact i want all the fans who claim they care to wear all Thrashers uniforms logo shirts at Open of NBA season here just show Belkin what is n stuff no hawks shirts no caps just Thrashers jersey too n signs to…..That will show them too make best Booooo them every home game next season….Braves Fans show u displeased wear unform jersey of thrashers to bring signs wave at cameras maybe we see it…..
Kevin
June 1st, 2011
6:56 pm
Hey we get a MLS team here they be own bye The ASG group by belkin n friends and in 6 years Move to winnipeg there also….If the Phoenix coyotes moved here please no let ASG own it….
Brian
June 1st, 2011
7:09 pm
The only 2 you can call sports would be hockey and football. Baseball is not a sport nor is basketball they are games like golf or something like that. So atlanta is no longer even a factor in being called a sports town.
Danny Richardson
June 1st, 2011
7:47 pm
There just isn’t a market in the Southeastern U.S. for Hockey. It’s sad for all of the fans and to the people behind the scenes who will lose their jobs as a result of this move. To keep things in perspective as far as the Atlanta sports market–there are “hometown” players on all of the 3 remaining professional sports francises. Were there any Georgia boys on the Thrashers squad? Probably not is my guess since most NHL players are Canadian or Eastern European. Atlanta is good for what it is which is professional & collegiate football, hoops, and baseball. Good Riddence Thrashers, a.k.a. Jets.
Buddy Grizzard
June 1st, 2011
7:53 pm
It says less about Atlanta as a sports town and more about ASG’s failure to sell the NHL in a non-traditional market. Not to discount the curse of Danny Heatly, but the ASG’s ownership of two of the four major pro sports franchises in Atlanta has contributed to alot of futility. Hopefully the ASG can get its ish together only having to run one franchise.
Puck Headlines: Stanley Cup food bet; Colin Campbell’s legacy | | sportsport
June 1st, 2011
8:03 pm
[...] • Is Atlanta a Triple-A sports town without the Thrashers? [AJC] [...]
SF Ryan
June 1st, 2011
8:26 pm
The answer to your question in the title of your blog is a resounding “YES”. Sports fans in Atlanta are college football fans first, and only if these pro teams are doing alright in the standings, NFL, MLB, and NBA fans dead last after watching highlights and replays of UGA football games.
Mr Bill
June 1st, 2011
10:16 pm
With an arena that will hold 18,000 for Hockey all we need to do is start over again with new owners willing to pay for an expansion team here and the name is already ours so we can use the Thrashers. This time will have people who know what they are doing. Hey it can’t hurt.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
June 1st, 2011
10:53 pm
With CHOKE at qb what do you people expect
rooster
June 1st, 2011
10:53 pm
@dawgfan123 – Well, at least you can SEE New York from the Meadowlands. Foxboro, one the other hand, is closer to Providence than to Boston. The old Boston Patriots had to be re-branded as the New England Patriots to get more people to identify with them (this would never be necessary for the Red Sox or Celtics, of course). Same reason there are NFL franchises called Tennessee, Carolina, Arizona, and Minnesota; MLB clubs called Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Texas, and Minnesota; and NBA franchises called Indiana, Minnesota, Utah, and Golden State.
Amature Boxing on ICE
June 2nd, 2011
1:10 am
Yawn…..
HFIN
June 2nd, 2011
1:15 am
Go BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
scottbravesfan
June 2nd, 2011
2:02 am
Jeff,
I think you need to calm down just a little bit. It’s not like Atlanta lost the Braves or the Falcons. If they ever lose one of those two teams, then yeah they would drop down but the major leagues in America are NFL, MLB, and NBA. With the growing Hispanic population in the U.S. I would not be surprised if in 20 years MLS leaps over the NHL in terms of popularity. All that is holding that league back is the salary cap situation.
And if Atlanta wants to get better attendance for weeknight games do something about the freaking traffic and let MARTA’s trains actually go to where people live.