Irrelevancy Gone Wild: The 10 Most Irrelevant Sports Franchises Today

Sports have been a large part of life even since the Romans had battles of strength, will and survival in their glorious coliseums. However, not every part of sports is important. There are some franchises that the majority of fans either don't care, or don't even know about. There are too many to mention, so this will simply focus on the NFL, NBA and MLB. Of course, some of you will be offended that your team is on here, but don't worry, at least you are attempting to make them important by being a fan. The sports world needs you.

10. Pittsburgh Pirates

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BRADENTON, FL - FEBRUARY 20: Pitcher Evan Meek #47 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a photo during photo day at Pirate City on February 20, 2011 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Other than finishing in the cellar of the less-than-stellar (rhymes) National League Central five of the last six seasons, the Pirates have managed to get less than 70 wins in each of those years. The Pirates have not had a winning season since they won the N.L. East in 1992, finishing with a 96-66 record before being knocked out of the postseason by the Atlanta Braves. The Pirates only seated an average of 21,655 fans per game from 2002-2009. Keep in mind, PNC Park holds over 38,000. Outside of the N.L. Central, the Pirates are barely recognized as a team anymore.

9.Memphis Grizzlies

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 02: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after making a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Staples Center on January 2, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Grizzlies defeated the Lakers 104

Other than having one of the most fierce logos, which I personally consider awesome, the Memphis Grizzlies are about as irrelevant as they come.  The Grizzlies have never won a playoff series, let alone a game in the playoffs, being swept in three playoff appearances spanning from 2003-2006. I suppose they have Rudy Gay. The Grizzlies rank 26th in attendance throughout the NBA; selling 78.4 percent of their home tickets.

8. Kansas City Royals

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KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 15: Pitcher Bryan Bullington #41 of the Kansas City Royals in action during the game against the New York Yankees on August 15, 2010 at Kauffman stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

With the recent loss of star pitcher Zach Greinke to the Brewers, the Royals have found themselves on this list. Not only do they have no face of the organization anymore, but they also have not had a winning record since 2003. They did not seat more than 20,000 fans per game from 2005-2008, and barely manage to pull the task off now. However, the All-Star game coming to Kansas City should give Kauffman Stadium the credit it deserves, as it is a great stadium with a sub-par team hoarding it.

7.Jacksonville Jaguars

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HOUSTON - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Mike Thomas #80 of the Jacksonville Jaguars scores in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

I bet they're average this year. Maybe good, maybe bad. More or less. Between .400 and .600 winning percentage. A threatening game, but not "game of the week" quality. What I'm trying to get to is, the Jaguars are only irrelevant because they very rarely stand out for being excessively terrible or remarkably good.

6.Toronto Blue Jays

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TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 29: Travis Snider #45 of the Toronto Blue Jays shows off his Cito Gaston mustache as he plays against the New York Yankees during a MLB game at the Rogers Centre September 29, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/

When you're in the same division as the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays, you may get overlooked sometimes. It took 70 pages to find a non-photoshoot picture of the Blue Jays...and then it was Travis Snider. Poor Blue Jays, they would probably be good in any other division.

5. Indiana Pacers

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INDIANAPOLIS - FEBRUARY 15: Tyler Hansbrough #50 of the Indiana Pacers shoots the ball during the NBA game against the Miami Heat at Conseco Fieldhouse on February 15, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Ever since the years of Reggie Miller, nobody has really cared. They received some press for the brawl with the Pistons in 2004. Ron Artest is the reason the Pacers are not higher on this list, thank goodness he punched that fan. Does anyone really care about the Pacers other than the fans themselves? When you hear your team is up against the Celtics or the Lakers, excitement arises. When your team is playing the Pacers, it's one you can just happen to miss. They sell about 14,000 out of 19,000 tickets per game.

4. Seattle Mariners

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PEORIA, AZ - FEBRUARY 20: Jamey Wright #50 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a portrait at the Peoria Sports Complex on February 20, 2011 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

They have Ichiro, I guess. I suppose could even throw the Seahawks on this list. Unfortunately, the beloved and irrelevant Supersonics have moved on past Seattle and are now somewhat important in Oklahoma City. How disappointing. Safeco Field holds roughly 46,600. For the record, 27,000 go to watch their games.

3. The Entire NFC West

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst #6 of the Seattle Seahawks rolls out with the ball during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

That's my boy, Charlie Whitehurst.

Yeah, I know the Seahawks beat the then-defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. That was an impressive underdog story. Unfortunately, it seems like nobody other than New Orleans fans remember, as I have never met a Seahawks fan in my life.

The 49'ers received press for their hiring of Jim Harbaugh. However, that press died off quickly after everyone realized that San Fransisco still has no proven quarterbacks, wide receivers, linemen, and nobody on the majority of defense. Go get 'em, Frank Gore.

St. Louis has now dwindled down to the second team in Missouri, as the Chiefs had a breakout season. Sam Bradford could turn things around their, but the team is still a few players short of having any real impact.

Does anybody remember that the Cardinals lost to the Steelers in the 2009 Superbowl? I mean, that was a fantastic game. Kurt Warner, who I enjoy watching very much, almost finished the miracle. That game was outdone by the Lions who managed to go 0-16.

Which may lead to the question, why the AFC West over the Lions?

Well, the Lions seem to be on the upturn with Stafford, Suh, Johnson, and company. It's debatable as to which one deserved to be on this list. I struggled with the decision myself.

2. Buffalo Bills

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Brian Brohm #4 of the Buffalo Bills passes against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Why are there only pictures of the Jets when I look on here for the Bills? Then the first Bill is Brian Brohm. Oh well. Anyway, I, as many of you on this website do, spend much of your free time watching ESPN or reading sports stories online.. Your vast knowledge of sports is impressive and you don't make big mistakes when it comes to teams in a division or anything obvious such as that.

I will be honest. I woke up one day and could not for the life of me figure out if the Buffalo Bills were still a football team. I had never heard their name, seen them play, or even heard them mentioned in conversation in what seemed like forever. It took me minutes of debating with myself just to figure it out that they indeed still existed. Keep in mind, this event happened before T.O. showed up, who by the way, they mentioned to make silent and dull as well. What's your issue, Buffalo?

1. The Entire City Of Cleveland

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GOODYEAR, AZ - FEBRUARY 22: Tony Sipp #33 of the Cleveland Indians poses during their photo day at the Cleveland Indians Spring Training Complex on February 22, 2011 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

Why is Tony Sipp the first Cleveland Indian to pop up? Who is Tony Sipp?

Anyway, I hate to throw an entire city under the bus, but come on Cleveland.

The Browns had a breakout fantasy player, and that was it. As of late, they had one 10-win season in which they managed to not make the playoffs. The Browns could very well be the most irrelevant football team other than the Bills. Dang Bills.

How about the Indians? Shin-Soo Choo is obviously a contender for the MVP this year. At least they have Grady Sizemore. Their rotation consists of: Carmona, Masterson, Talbot, Carrasco and Tomlin. That should rival the Phillies.

Last but not least, the Cavaliers. Ever since LeBron left, the only records being broken on the court in Cleveland would be losing streaks.Cleveland could very well be the worst sports town in the country.

Honorable Mentions

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: Coco Crisp #4 of the Oakland Athletics hits an RBI single in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners during a Major League Baseball game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 8, 2010 in Oakland, California.

Yeah, that's the cereal named phenom Coco Crisp in the photo!

Toronto Raptors

Washington Redskins

Houston Astros

Cincinnati Bengals

Sacramento Kings

Baltimore Orioles

Oakland Athletics

Carolina Panthers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Detroit Lions

Don't be afraid to tell me how wrong I am and defend your team!