Miami Heat Join 10 Most Hated U.S. Sports Franchises

I would personally like to welcome the Miami Heat to the exclusive club of most hated sports franchises in the United States.

Before LeBron James "brought his talents to South Beach," the Heat were a respectable team with a good young leader who most people seemed to like or be OK with.

James and Bosh then joined the picture, and the Heat have played well enough (they really have. I give them that) to reach the NBA Finals.

However, they are now hated by many and have joined an exclusive sporting club: the most hated teams in America!

The list has your usual targets, but with the Heat's run, as well as other implications, some shifting—in my opinion—has occurred. 

Honorable Mention: Chicago Cubs

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 13: Marlon Byrd #24 (C) and Darwin Barney #15 of the Chicago Cubs greet teammate Jeff Baker #28 after scoring runs in the 7th inning against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field on May 13, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeate

If the Cubs could ever make the playoffs, let alone win a World Series (100+ years), maybe they could be on the list.

Honorable Mention: San Antonio Spurs

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 27: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antionio Spurs looks on against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2011 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER

They have been one of the more dominant NBA teams during the last 20 years, and the hatred for them has grown, especially by Western Conference fans.

Honorable Mention: New York Jets

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets reacts during their 2011 AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Rex Ryan is to thank for this mention. The Jets would not have made the list if it weren't for Rex. Plenty of people like his antics, but it really irks everyone else.

10. Detroit Red Wings

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SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 12: Henrik Zetterberg #40, Pavel Datsyuk #13, and Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings talk to each other before a face off against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stan

I like to call them the NHL's version of the Yankees—and you can see why.

The Red Wings have made the playoffs 20 straight seasons and have won the Stanley Cup 11 times (four since the playoff streak began).

They always have familiar faces and grizzled veterans who you really just can't root for.

9. Notre Dame Football

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EL PASO, TX - DECEMBER 30: Fans of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hold up a sign during play against the Miami Hurricanes at Sun Bowl on December 30, 2010 in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Not many people root for the Irish. They have money and focus using plenty of it on their football program.

However, I believe the Irish have fallen (in a good way) on this list in the last decade. They haven't been relevant, except for coaching searches, in many years now. In turn, this has taken people's attention away from them.

It's still Notre Dame, and they will be forever loathed by many.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - FEBRUARY 03: Santonio Holmes #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers holds up his MVP and the Lombardi trophy after a parade to celebrate winning Super Bowl XLIII on February 3, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

This may come as a surprise to some here. The Steelers are one of the proudest franchises in NFL history. They have plenty of followers, but they also have plenty of haters.

The Steelers have something about them that I can't put a finger on, but it also makes me hate them as much as any NFL team.

These guys aren't going anywhere with the Rooney's in charge, so they should remain on this list for a while.

7. Boston Red Sox

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BOSTON - APRIL 08: The Boston Red Sox head to the dugout after raising the 2007 World Series banner and carrying their championship rings before the game against the Detroit Tigers on April 8,2008 during Opening Day at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachuset

I almost forgot about the Red Sox, but they do deserve to be on this list.

Yankees' fans hatred alone allows them to be on this list, but ever since winning their first World Series since 1918 in 2004, more people have jumped on the we-don't-like-you train.

Yankees-Red Sox may be the greatest rivalry in sports, and the hatred felt for both teams stands alone.

6. Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 28: The Boston Celtics raise 2008 World Championship banner during the 2008 NBA World Championship ceremony before a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 28, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO

Possibly the proudest franchise in the NBA, the Celtics will forever hold a spot on this list.

They had plenty of haters in the 1980s when they and the Lakers owned the NBA. However, the new group of Celtics has brought in more haters since their debut in 2007-08.

In my opinion, Kevin Garnett is a big reason why. The "Big Ticket" is really just a "Big Bully."

5. Duke Basketball

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: (L-R) Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry of the Duke Blue Devils celebrate with the trophy after Duke won 61-59 against the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadiu

There are plenty out there who like Duke. As for the rest of us, we can't wait for their decline from college basketball's elite (if that day ever comes).

Coach K is a great guy and really hard to root against. He knows how to coach and always has Duke at the top.

However, I can still like Coach K and root for Duke to fall flat in the tournament, right?

4. Los Angeles Lakers

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MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 29: Kobe Bryant #8 and Shaquille O'Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers walk upcourt in the fourth quarter of Game five of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2004 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2004 at Ta

As a huge Suns' fan, I have personal implications here. 

The Lakers will always be one the most hated NBA franchises. We can thank Kobe Bryant a lot for this, as he has the bandwagon folks who adore him and also those who would love to see another clothesline on him.

Phil Jackson didn't help their image because many can't stand him either, but could the Lakers fall on this list with him gone now? We will see.

3. Dallas Cowboys

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SAN FRANCISCO - JANUARY 17: Alvin Harper #80 congratulates teammate running back Emmitt Smith #22 of the Dallas Cowboys after his rushing touchdown during the 1992 NFC Conference Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on Ja

The Cowboys would have been No. 2 on this list if not for the next team.

Known to those who despise them around the country as the Cowgirls, the Cowboys will forever hold a spot on this list, especially if Jerry Jones continues to be the owner. Does anyone like that guy?

Anyway, the Cowboys of old have paved the way for the new, and that road leads to one of the more hated teams America has ever seen.

At least they have the best cheerleaders in the league!

2. Miami Heat

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CHICAGO, IL - MAY 18: (L-R) Dwyane Wade #3, LeBron James #6 and Joel Anthony #50 of the Miami Heat celebrate after they won 85-75 against the Chicago Bulls in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 18, 2011 at the Un

The newest addition to the list, the Miami Heat, have earned their way to this spot.

I kind of admire the Big Three for taking less money, but any team who would rather buy a championship will be on this list. 

LeBron "brought his talents to South Beach", Dwyane Wade sold out and Chris Bosh joined the ride. Well, gentlemen, I wish you the best of luck in the Finals and can't wait to see you crying when it's over.

1. New York Yankees

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees celebrates with the trophy after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New Yor

No one will ever take this spot away from the Yankees, not even the newly formed Heat.

Derek Jeter seems like a nice guy, but who knows. A-rod is a lying scum, and Brian Cashman seems like a little weasel. 

The Steinbrenner family built a baseball empire, and they are a team we can always look at and say, "God, I hate these guys so much."