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Sports are all about your team, and how well your chemistry is as a unit to go along with the raw talent and work ethic of the squad, if that carries on for a long time, you are champions, for even longer you are a dynasty and even longer than that, you get a successful franchise. Here are the Top 10 Most Successful Franchises in Sports History.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Black and Yellow Steel Curtain has intimidated fans for over 80 years and has dominated the NFL with a record-tying 6 Super Bowl Victories. Also, the Steelers played in a record 16 Conference Championships and have won 8 Conference Championships and 23 Division Championships in their existence, more than any other team in NFL history. The Steelers have inducted 18 members into the pro football hall of fame and have historically been the best defensive team in NFL History. Steeler Nation brings in fans from all over the country, and as the franchise with the most players having a ring, it’s no surprise why.
9. United States National Women’s Soccer Team
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The USWNT is synonymous with success, and they’re always expected to win, and any loss that appears on their record is a shock to the sports world. The team has been ranked as the 1st or 2nd best team according to FIFA’s rankings since 2003, and have never successfully finished with a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal in all 8 editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup including 4 Championships. The USWNT has won 8 of the 9 CONCACAF Gold Cups they have participated in, and 4 of the 6 Olympic Games they have been a part of. With stars such as Carli Llyod, Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo all making the FIFPro World XI and receiving Ballon d’Or nominations, the team has the most talent and the most wins of any team in women’s sports history
8. Green Bay Packers
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The Pack has been the most successful team in NFL History by far due to their sustained superiority that has existed since the 1920s. The Green Bay Packers have won 13 League Championships, by far an NFL-record with their first being awarded in 1929. Going along with 9 Conference Championships and 18 Division Championships, the Packers have been synonymous with winning so much so that they have been given the nickname “Title Town.” Even the Super Bowl trophy is named “The Lombardi Trophy” after the great Packer coach, who led the team to 8 NFL Championships and the first two Super Bowls. With 25 players inducted into the Hall of fame, the Packers are, without a doubt, the most successful team in NFL History.
7. Montreal Canadiens
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The Habs were founded over 110 years ago, making them the oldest team in the history of professional hockey and the team has undergone a streak of brilliance, unlike any team in the sport’s history. The Canadiens have won a record 24 Stanley Cup trophies, and have appeared in the final 34 times, their first Stanley Cup is awarded in 1916 and have won over 25% of all Stanley Cups since the existence of the trophy, a record among the four major American sports leagues. The Canadiens have over 50 former players inducted into the NHL Hall of fame, and 18 players have numbers retired in Montreal. Even without a Stanley Cup win in over 25 years, Les Canadiens are still the most winningest team hockey has ever had.
6. Boston Celtics
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The Leprechauns from Boston experienced one of the most successful runs in sports history when the team won 8 Championships in a row between 1959 and 1966, and have won an NBA record 17 Championships in total. The Celtics have won 21 Conference titles, and 22 Division titles since 1972. The team has retired more numbers than any basketball team in history with 22, and their players have won 10 NBA MVP trophies, more than any team in NBA history. With an NBA-record 35 former players inducted into the Hall of fame, the Celtics have been arguably the most historically accomplished team in the history of the sport of basketball.
5. FC Barcelona
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The Catalan Kings are have been the most cherished football club of the 21st century with players such as Messi, Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Xavi and Neymar attracting fans from around the globe. But, the team has more trophies than any club in football history with 91, including 26 La Liga trophies, 30 Copa Del Rey trophies, 13 Spanish Super Cups and 5 UEFA Champions League trophies. FC Barcelona has never been relegated from the Spanish Primera Division, and its players collectively have a record of 11 FIFA Ballon d’ors and 8 European Golden Boots. The club is the highest-paid football team in the world, earning over $13.8 Million per year and are the second wealthiest club in the world valued at $4.06 Billion. With the youth camp, La Masia always producing world-class talent, Football in Catalonia looks to be thriving for a very long time.
4. Los Angeles Lakers
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The Hollywood Lakes have existed since the creation of the NBA and have never ceased to disappoint the basketball world. The Lakers have won 16 NBA Champions since their existence 31 Conference Championships and have won 23 division titles, the latter two being NBA records. The Lakers have the highest winning percentage, most regular-season wins and most playoff wins of any team in league history and before 2014 had only missed the playoffs 5 times in over 65 years of NBA Basketball. The team holds many NBA records such as the longest winning streak in NBA History with 33 games in 1972, 34 former players inducted into the hall of fame and have 11 retired jerseys hanging from the rafters. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis now and L.A. showtime might just be back in the city of angels.
3. Real Madrid C.F.
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Los Blancos are the most famous team in the history of the sport and have won everything there is to win in football many, many times. The team has won a record 33 La Liga trophies, 19 Copa Del Rey trophies, a record 13 UEFA Champions League trophies, 10 Spanish Super Cup titles and a record 7 club world championship trophies. The team was also recognized as the best club of the 20th century by FIFA and has been the wealthiest club in the world for over 10 years currently estimated at $4.2 Billion. This has allowed Real Madrid to purchase “Galacticos” and bring the best players in the world into the Spanish Capital. These players include former world record signings Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Gareth Bale. With Hala Madrid purring in the Santiago Bernabeu for over 110 years, the Madridistas have yet to be overtaken by any team in football.
2. New York Yankees
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The Pinstripes from the Bronx are the most recognizable team in the country and have captured the attention of baseball fans everywhere. The Yankees have won a record 27 World Series titles, which is more titles than any other franchise in North American Sports history, 40 AL Pennants and 19 East Division titles. The team has a winning percentage of 57%, including over 10,000 franchise wins and 23 retired numbers in their history. The Yankees also have an estimated net worth revenue of $668 Million, more than any other baseball team, and that ensures that the team will always be able to bring the best young talent into NYC.
1. New Zealand All Blacks
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The New Zealand National Rugby team is the most successful franchise in sports history. The team has a 77% winning percentage and is the only team in Rugby with a positive winning percentage against every other international rugby union squad. The All Blacks have won the Rugby Championship a record 16 times and The Rugby World Cup three times. The Kiwis have been at the top of the IRB World Rugby Rankings for 85% of the time the ranking has existed. Losing is not in the team’s DNA as the New Zealanders hold a record of 18 consecutive wins between 2015 and 2016, 23 games unbeaten between 1987 and 1990 and did not lose a single test match during the 2013 calendar year. With the most intimidating pre-game ritual in sports, the haka, at their disposal, and a record 15 players inducted into the World Rugby hall of fame, the New Zealand All Blacks are the most feared, respected, and winningest team in the world of sports.
Honorable Mentions
Brazil national football team
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In the land where football is virtually a religion, the Brazil national team is the most successful international team in the history of the sport. Of the 21 World Cups ever played, Brazil is the only nation to have appeared in every single one of them, including having played in 7 finals and winning a record 5 World Cups. The team has also raked in 9 Copa America titles and 4 Confederations Cup trophies and has been ranked as the #1 International team by FIFA 159 times, far more than any other team in history. With legends such as Pele, Ronaldo, Kaka, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and Neymar all playing for the team, Brazil historically has appeared to be unbeatable.
UConn Huskies Women’s Basketball
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The Lady Huskies are the most successful team in the history of women’s college basketball with a record 11 NCAA Division 1 National Championship. The team has won over 40 conference regular season and tournament championships and have an NCAA men’s and women’s record of 111 consecutive wins between 2014 and 2017. The Huskies have an NCAA record win percentage of 79.3% since the formation of the team in 1974 and have not missed out on the Tournament’s Final Four since 2007.
Manchester United
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The Red Devils have won more trophies than any team in English football history and have played in England’s top-flight since the Premier League’s Formation. United have won a record 20 League titles, 12 FA Cups, 3 UEFA Champions Leagues, 5 League Cups and a record 21 FA Community Shields. With a value of $3.81 Billion and yearly revenue of over $700 Million, Manchester United are always adding more names to their illustrious history.
