10 Least Loyal Fanbases in Sports

10 Least Loyal Fanbases in Sports

By Amanda Sklarek

July 6, 2014

10 Least Loyal Fanbases in Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars fans with bags — Every sports team has a fanbase, but some are more loyal than others. Here are the top 10 least loyal fanbases in sports.

Every sports team has a fanbase, but some are more loyal than others. Here are the top 10 least loyal fanbases in sports.

10. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

10. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys fans — When the Dallas Cowboys are winning and contending for the NFC East, they are known as “America's Team.” But when the going gets tough, fans tend to stray far from Jerry’s World.

When the Dallas Cowboys are winning and contending for the NFC East, they are known as “America's Team.” But when the going gets tough, fans tend to stray far from Jerry’s World.

9. New York Islanders

New York Islanders

Advertisement

9. New York Islanders

New York Islanders fans — The New York Islanders have made the playoffs only once in the last five seasons and during that season, the Islanders averaged just 13,306 fans per game. Even when the Islanders are racking up wins, showing up to the worst arena in the NHL isn't worth their "fans'" time.

The New York Islanders have made the playoffs only once in the last five seasons and during that season, the Islanders averaged just 13,306 fans per game. Even when the Islanders are racking up wins, showing up to the worst arena in the NHL isn't worth their "fans'" time.

8. Houston Astros

Houston Astros

8. Houston Astros

Houston Astros fans — It's not hard to see why fans aren't lining up to watch the Houston Astros play. Their last playoff appearance was in 2005. They made it all the way to the World Series, but ended up being swept by the White Sox. Since 2005, they have only had two winning seasons, so there hasn’t been much for fans to cheer about.

It's not hard to see why fans aren't lining up to watch the Houston Astros play. Their last playoff appearance was in 2005. They made it all the way to the World Series, but ended up being swept by the White Sox. Since 2005, they have only had two winning seasons, so there hasn’t been much for fans to cheer about.

7. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks

7. Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks fans — It should come as no surprise that a team from the worst sports city in America has made an appearance on this list. The Atlanta Hawks have always struggled to generate a fan following, regardless of how the Hawks are performing. Last season, the Hawks made the playoffs and were still third to last in arena attendance. Possessing great players and a nice arena just somehow isn't enough to bring fans in.

It should come as no surprise that a team from the worst sports city in America has made an appearance on this list. The Atlanta Hawks have always struggled to generate a fan following, regardless of how the Hawks are performing. Last season, the Hawks made the playoffs and were still third to last in arena attendance. Possessing great players and a nice arena just somehow isn't enough to bring fans in.

6. Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins

6. Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins fans — Even when the Miami Marlins won the World Series, their attendance was still low. The city recently paid for a brand new stadium in hopes that it would bring in waves of brand new fans, but it has so far failed to do so. Miami sports teams tend to attract people who see sports more as “events,” rather than something to pour their heart and soul into, thus making it difficult for the Marlins to generate a fan solid base.

Even when the Miami Marlins won the World Series, their attendance was still low. The city recently paid for a brand new stadium in hopes that it would bring in waves of brand new fans, but it has so far failed to do so. Miami sports teams tend to attract people who see sports more as “events,” rather than something to pour their heart and soul into, thus making it difficult for the Marlins to generate a fan solid base.

5. Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes

5. Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes fans — The Arizona Coyotes have been through bankruptcy, new ownership and the threat of relocation, simply because of one thing: a lack of fans. The Coyotes have been mediocre, and since they are an ice hockey team in the middle of the desert, fans are going to be hard to attract.

The Arizona Coyotes have been through bankruptcy, new ownership and the threat of relocation, simply because of one thing: a lack of fans. The Coyotes have been mediocre, and since they are an ice hockey team in the middle of the desert, fans are going to be hard to attract.

4. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies

4. Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies — When the Philadelphia Phillies are hot, fans flock to the ballpark. But the Phillies haven't been playing as well they have for the past two years, and it has shown through a drop in stadium attendance. The Phillies don't produce a shortage of fair-weather fans.

When the Philadelphia Phillies are hot, fans flock to the ballpark. But the Phillies haven't been playing as well they have for the past two years, and it has shown through a drop in stadium attendance. The Phillies don't produce a shortage of fair-weather fans.

3. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays

3. Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay Rays fans — The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best teams in baseball over the past six seasons. With their young talent, you would think fans would be flocking to their stadium, but that hasn’t been the case. This is partially due to the Rays' old stadium that is too far removed from the Tampa Bay area.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best teams in baseball over the past six seasons. With their young talent, you would think fans would be flocking to their stadium, but that hasn’t been the case. This is partially due to the Rays' old stadium that is too far removed from the Tampa Bay area.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars fans — The Jacksonville Jaguars have consistently been at the bottom of the league in attendance since they were introduced in the 1995 NFL expansion. This comes partially from the Jaguars being one of the worst teams in the NFL and lacking any sort of star power. Jaguars fans have to be bribed with free beer to attend games and when they do attend games, they arrive with bags over their heads to hide their faces in shame.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have consistently been at the bottom of the league in attendance since they were introduced in the 1995 NFL expansion. This comes partially from the Jaguars being one of the worst teams in the NFL and lacking any sort of star power. Jaguars fans have to be bribed with free beer to attend games and when they do attend games, they arrive with bags over their heads to hide their faces in shame.

1. Miami Heat

Miami Heat

1. Miami Heat

Miami Heat fans — Diehard Miami Heat fans exist, we know, but the amount of bandwagoners that LeBron James has brought to the sunshine state with him have made this fanbase something to laugh at. Whenever LeBron decides to leave Miami, hundreds of fans will inevitably follow. The Heat's arena attendance will go back to bringing in average numbers and attending these games will no longer be the "cool" thing to do.

Diehard Miami Heat fans exist, we know, but the amount of bandwagoners that LeBron James has brought to the sunshine state with him have made this fanbase something to laugh at. Whenever LeBron decides to leave Miami, hundreds of fans will inevitably follow. The Heat's arena attendance will go back to bringing in average numbers and attending these games will no longer be the "cool" thing to do.

Amanda Sklarek is a Pittsburgh Penguins/NHL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandabukowski, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.

Share On Facebook

Share