Why Kansas City Isn't a Top-Five Underdog Town

Last week, I published a series of articles introduced by a slide show naming the top five underdog towns in major league sports. It actually was six towns since there was a third place tie.

The teams that made the list, in order from five to one were: Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, New Orleans/Green Bay, Cleveland, and Buffalo.

I received a comment from a reader making the case for Kansas City. My first response was, "You're right. It should have been on the list." On further reflection, however, I have decided Kansas City should not have been on the list.

If it had been the top six, perhaps, but not the top five.

The reason is simple. Each city on the top-five list with the exception of Green Bay, who qualified for their extreme small market status, has yet to win any sort of US or world championship in modern history. When I say modern history, I mean since the Super-Bowl era.

Kansas City has won a Super Bowl (albeit Super Bowl II) and a World Series (1985). The Wizards have also won a MLS Cup (2000).

It's true that Kansas City is one of the smaller markets in major league sports. They  have lost a franchise (Kings), and other than the soccer championship in 2000, they haven't had much to cheer about. But they have much more to feel good about in terms of overall sports achievement than the other six.

If Kansas City has not won another title of any kind after another decade, then, depending on the success of the others on the list, they might break the top five.