Cities that have infamously lost sports franchises
Numerous franchises have made seminal decisions to relocate in the past several decades, with many such moves altering the complexions of leagues. Here’s a look at the most pivotal decisions that changed cities and some that had big impacts on the futures of their respective leagues.
New York Giants to relocate to California. The Dodgers were a National League dynasty with strong attendance figures, while the Giants had encountered some financial turmoil. This measure required both teams to move, and both did. Both franchises began the 1958 season in their current homes. This move devastated many New York baseball fans, but it represented the first California infiltration for the country’s most popular sport at the time.
Minnesota Twins in 1961. Granted an expansion team that same year, Washington only managed to keep it for 11 seasons. Senators 2.0 enjoyed just one winning season. The team received approval to move to Texas — where it would become the Rangers — during the 1971 season. On the season’s final day — which turned out to be D.C.’s last baseball game for 34 years — a near-riot ensued at RFK Stadium to force a Senators forfeit despite the team holding a ninth-inning lead.
Utah Jazz once made the playoffs in 20 consecutive seasons. However, Utah’s foray into major pro sports did not happen until New Orleans lost the Jazz after five lean years in the ’70s. The Jazz roved between venues that did not end up suiting them, including the Superdome, and never won 40 games in a season. However, the New Orleans Jazz deployed legendary scorer Pete Maravich in all five seasons. The LSU product won the 1976-77 scoring title. Otherwise, the Jazz’s pre-Utah stay was largely forgettable.
inspect the stadium using fake names. Al Davis’ ongoing fight with the NFL about the Raiders’ move gave Irsay cover, with Pete Rozelle saying the NFL would not contest a Colts defection, and Baltimore suddenly was without a team one morning.
Colorado Avalanche to field a dynasty. Sold to a group that moved the team to Denver, the franchise won a Stanley Cup in its first year as the Avalanche and claimed another five years later.
Winnipeg Jets enjoyed a 17-year run in the top hockey league. While they re-emerged in 2011, this continued hockey’s southward expansion after the North Stars and Nordiques left their cities. Like many teams on this list, the Jets experienced steady financial troubles. A group that included then-Suns executive Jerry Colangelo bought the Jets and rebranded them as the Phoenix Coyotes, only the move out of Canada did not occur until after a depressing lame-duck season.
after trading Warren Moon. Scant support for a new stadium came. Nashville secured public funding for a venue, and the Oilers received permission to relocate in 1996. The franchise played a lame-duck Houston season in ’96 and two transition slates in college venues as the Tennessee Oilers before turning to the Titans moniker in a new stadium in 1999. The franchise’s only Super Bowl berth followed months later.
