The Best Things America's 10 Worst Sports Cities Have to Offer

In life, there are the haves and the have nots. It is a sad fact to an otherwise beautiful life. The sports world is structured in much the same way. 

There are the cities with bright lights that attract big name talent. These are the cities that clamor to the playoffs in various sports every year. They are your Los Angeles and Bostons.

There are also those cities that are great experiences for fans. These are the towns that will always prove a great venue to watch a sporting event. Philadelphia and Chicago, I am looking at you.

Then, there is the skid row of sports. These are the cities that have left the hope of better days behind them. I light a vigil to these towns every night. Some people give to charities, I say a prayer for these populations of futility.

I am here to tell you all is not lost. These lovable losers have a lot to offer. If you don't believe me, read on.  

10. Atlanta

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 11: Manager Bobby Cox #6 of the Atlanta Braves waves to the crowd after the Braves were defeated by the San Francisco Giants 3-2 during Game Four of the NLDS of the 2010 MLB Playoffs on October 11, 2010 at Turner Field in Atlanta, Geor

The Atlanta sports scene has fallen on hard times. The Falcons, Braves and Hawks have been too long out of the limelight. This is a town on the cusp of greatness, they just can't seize the day. 

The Falcons looked like they were on their way to the Super Bowl and flamed out. The Braves did the same in the playoffs. Now, the Hawks are giving Atlanta faithful false hope. It is enough to cry, if joy were not around the corner. 

It is all about 2013, baby. That is when one of the greatest weekends comes to Atlanta. That's right, the Final Four will hit the South. That is very good news for sports fans in the area as well as businesses that will cash in.

It is good to be in Atlanta indeed. You have one of the best arms in football and will host the greatest show on the hard-court. I am envious...not a whole bunch, but enough. 

9. Washington, D.C.

This is a tough one. Our nation's capital has one of the most storied franchise in the NFL in the Redskins, and one of the newest ball clubs in baseball in the Nationals. 

The city has been struck hard with under-performing franchises. The Redskins are looking dysfunctional. The Nationals play in a museum. The Capitals can't get to the next level and the Wizards are the doormat of the NBA. 

But fear not, D.C. denizens. You have the perfect spots to drink copious amounts of alcohol and chat with some co-eds while you watch sports. 

It is called The Tombs and it's unreal. They have a 99 Days Club whose membership is given to patrons that do not miss a day starting with days in February and March. It is a record made easier by all the gorgeous co-eds from Georgetown.

Things also go off for March Madness, when they bust out the huge screen for the games. A city of politicians is sure to have their fair share of sports bars and this town is stacked to the gills.  

If all else fails, you can hop into any of the four sporting events taking place all year. It is good to be a town touting teams in the four major sports. 

8. Sacramento

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Fans dress up outside of the New Orleans arena prior to the New Orleans Hornets playing Sacramento Kings on October 31, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading an

You take the good with the bad in this one. You have to love and hate the owners, Sacramento. The Maloofs are the reason to love the NBA in Sacramento and at the same time, believe your time is up. 

I can still remember the heated rivalry between the Lakers and Kings. The stands would be packed with rabid fans hoping to see their beloved Kings win. 

That scene happened because the Maloofs put it together. They are some of the better owners in the NBA. They care about their team and want to see it succeed. For the time being, the Kings are the best thing this town has going for it. 

For a brief period, it was wildly entertaining. The best part of the sports scene in Sacramento is the passion the fans have for their team. It is a sad note that it could all end very soon.

Fear not, if there is one mayor that can keep the Kings in town, it is former Suns point guard Kevin Johnson.  

7. Phoenix

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 25: Justin Upton #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats during a spring training game San Francisco Giant at Scottsdale Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

If you have ever spent any time in Phoenix in the summer, you know that there is little to no material that cannot melt. Lawn chairs, DVDs, Stephen Drew, they all turn to sludge in the heat. 

But I could only hope to be a sports fan in Phoenix. Your teams may not be much to look at now, but they will be. You have the Suns consistently making waves in the NBA despite their constant shipping off of talent. 

The D-Backs are a great young team that has a bevy of budding stars. Trust me, you will want to be around to see what Justin Upton and Chris Young turn into. And the Cardinals, well...Hey did I mention how well that Steve Nash guy is playing?

A town that demands air conditioning has one of the coolest stadiums around. I highly recommend chilling at Bank One Ballpark, or the "BOB" for you hip Phoenicians.

If that doesn't get you all jazzed up, slide over to the city's most beloved NBA team. They are a run-and-gun blur that nets over 100 points every game.  

6. Tampa Bay

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 10: Carlos Pena #23 and Ben Zobrist #18 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrate with Matt Joyce #20 after a 5-2 win against the Texas Rangers during game 4 of the ALDS at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 10, 2010 in Arlington, Tex

I still don't know how you guys did it. Somehow, Tampa Bay fooled Major League Baseball into letting them have a team. Now, I want to deride your fan base for just a bit.

This made the list as one of the worst sports towns, not for the teams, but for the fans. You have a nice young team that has made a splash in a very hard division the last few seasons. Please start paying to see them before they pack up and move.

You can't wait to go to the games when the team threatens to move like my friends are doing in Sacramento with the Kings.

I know the stadium is far. But the Rays are one of the best teams around. They happen to be one of the best things you have going for you. Go support them.

You also need to see this guy Evan Longoria. He is kind of a big deal.  

5. East Rutherford, N.J.

New Jersey has a stigma already without talking about the Nets. Let's just say that some people see it as the opposite of Hawaii. 

The Nets have gone a long way to make us cringe when we hear the name New Jersey. Carmelo Anthony would not touch the franchise with a 30-foot jumper.

Now that Deron Williams is in town, he looks less thrilled than Jerry Sloan ever did on the bench in Utah. 

Better days are ahead. New Jersey is about to host the games of all games. Yes, the Super Bowl. It will be the first cold-weather site to hold the event since Detroit in 2006.

You can bet all of us will be snug in our homes as we watch the media slave away at the event in 2014.

There is nothing better than that Super Bowl and it is all yours, New Jersey.  

4. San Diego

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SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Adrian Gonzalez #23 of the San Diego Padres prepares himself in the on deck circle against the Cincinnati Reds during their MLB game on September 26, 2010 at PETCO Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Get

The Clippers left them. The Chargers want to leave them and the Padres will most likely never win a World Series. Well, now that we have gotten the bad stuff out of the way, what about the good? 

Well the good is simple. This is sports heaven. The only thing missing is a basketball team. They have a solid one in San Diego State, but I want my NBA back in paradise. For anyone who has never visited the friendly confines of Petco Park, please do. 

It is like watching a ball game while sitting on a unicorn and feeding your face with pieces of a rainbow. That is in no way an exaggeration. There are plenty of bars surrounding the area. The park is gorgeous, and it feels like a ballpark should. 

This is a must for any sports fan. Great weather, along with a great atmosphere. Who cares who is playing?  

3. Seattle

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CARSON, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Seattle Sounders FC fans show their support as their team lose to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Western Conference Semifinal match second leg at The Home Depot Center on November 7, 2010 in Carson, California. The Galaxy def

You know things are bad when your fans are hoping to high heaven that the team retains Matt Hasselbeck. True, they miraculously made the playoffs, and won their first-round matchup. After that, it is all sadness and sorrow in this city of perpetual rain. 

The Sonics left a giant crater in the heart of Seattle. I am here to tell you that Seattle has a budding young team that city dwellers already have fallen head over heels for. 

I am talking about the Seattle Sounders. The Sounders have the best fans in MLS. Actually, I take that back, they are the best fan base in all of sports. Imagine a Boston Red Sox crowd and double the intensity. 

These guys dance and sing all the way to the game, then they dance and sing while there. When it is all done, they party. The experience is by far the best part. Who cares if there is soccer going on, this is awesome.

You can get in on the party soon. The MLS season is just around the corner.  

2. Detroit

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Fans of the Detroit Lions show their enthusiasm during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Things have gotten away from Detroit teams. The '80s saw the Tigers shine. The early '00s saw the Pistons return to glory and Barry Sanders once sashayed his way down the field in sliver and blue. 

Those days are long gone. The Tigers have been hit with a Miguel Cabrera bender. The Pistons refuse to practice and the Lions are, well, the Lions. 

But fear not Detroit faithful, I have a realization that you are already well aware of. Detroit is one of the best sports towns in America. It makes a great deal of sense. A town that has been beset with economic woes turns to sports to make the heart beat again. 

You can go into any bar in Detroit and see all walks of life cheering on the home team. That has been a bitter prospect of late, but they stay and cheer anyway. That makes them a great sports town.

I also cannot stress enough that you once housed the greatest running back of all time. You are excused from winning another game.  

1. Cleveland

We all knew it would come down to this city. It is as if God invented bad luck and then chose to build a city around it. If there was a bizarro title town, this would be it. 

Cleveland can't win for losing. They get the Indians to the World Series twice in the '90s, and leave empty handed. They lose the Browns, hold on to the name, and form a team that is worse than it was before.

Then there is the Cavaliers. They hit their stride in the '90s. Then they fell on very hard times. That gave them the pick of the litter during the NBA draft that boasted LeBron James. The King almost delivered the riches before he tore the heart of the city out and stomped on it. 

I am here to tell you Cleveland faithful that you are looking at it all wrong. Most fans would kill to have the storied franchises that you have. Where you see the glass half empty, I see something entirely different. 

You have had a baseball franchise since 1901. That team has delivered to you two World Series titles, and the likes of Tris Speaker, Lou Boudreau and Cy Young. 

The Cavaliers have given you two seasons of success in the '80s and '00s. You were also able to witness the maturation of one of the greatest in the game. 

Lastly, you have the Browns. City after city has had their beloved teams yanked from them. You got to keep yours. So chin up, Cleveland.

It could be much worse.