10 Cities That Couldn’t Survive Without Their Pro Sports Teams

10 Cities That Couldn't Survive Without Their Pro Sports Teams

In 2013, the company EMSI estimated the sports industry hauls in roughly $14.3 billion per year. That number’s not big, it’s first-world GDP. And in certain areas, it’s the ultimate income driver. So much that -- coupled with the devotion -- you could venture to say there are certain cities that’d be utterly forsaken without their team.

10 Cities That Couldn't Survive Without Their Pro Sports Teams

In 2013, the company EMSI estimated the sports industry hauls in roughly $14.3 billion per year. That number’s not big, it’s first-world GDP. And in certain areas, it’s the ultimate income driver. So much that -- coupled with the devotion -- you could venture to say there are certain cities that’d be utterly forsaken without their team.

10. Detroit, Michigan

Steady jobs and copper piping are a Detroit scarcity. If it weren’t for the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons, so would sports success. Without these big four, you might say the city’d go bankrupt. Oh, wait…

10. Detroit, Michigan

Steady jobs and copper piping are a Detroit scarcity. If it weren’t for the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons, so would sports success. Without these big four, you might say the city’d go bankrupt. Oh, wait…

9. St. Louis, Missouri

There is arguably no contending MLB fanbase that compares to the perennially contending St. Louis Cardinals. The Gateway to the West really opens up to the National Pastime.

9. St. Louis, Missouri

There is arguably no contending MLB fanbase that compares to the perennially contending St. Louis Cardinals. The Gateway to the West really opens up to the National Pastime.

8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Two colors unite three franchises. Black and gold are the blood and guts of the Steel City. And no sports city collective embodies the hard-hat and blue-collar essence of Pittsburgh like the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers.

8. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Two colors unite three franchises. Black and gold are the blood and guts of the Steel City. And no sports city collective embodies the hard-hat and blue-collar essence of Pittsburgh like the Penguins, Pirates and Steelers.

7. Indianapolis, Indiana

The Circle city is wrapped around their sports teams. It starts with the Indianapolis Colts and ends with the Pacers, a team that recognizes the Hoosier state’s favorite non-wheeled activity.

7. Indianapolis, Indiana

The Circle city is wrapped around their sports teams. It starts with the Indianapolis Colts and ends with the Pacers, a team that recognizes the Hoosier state’s favorite non-wheeled activity.

6. Cleveland, Ohio

Always the sports bridesmaid, but never the champion bride, Cleveland has had a brutal last half-century. The return of LeBron James has in essence revived the city, but has also put her back on eggshells. Clevelanders won’t feel validated until a title is brought home.

6. Cleveland, Ohio

Always the sports bridesmaid, but never the champion bride, Cleveland has had a brutal last half-century. The return of LeBron James has in essence revived the city, but has also put her back on eggshells. Clevelanders won’t feel validated until a title is brought home.

5. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Would cheese curds taste the same without the added ambience of Lambeau? I doubt it. Just imagining Green Bay without the Packers is unsettling. It’d be nothing but beer drinking and deer hunting.

5. Green Bay, Wisconsin

Would cheese curds taste the same without the added ambience of Lambeau? I doubt it. Just imagining Green Bay without the Packers is unsettling. It’d be nothing but beer drinking and deer hunting.

4. Kansas City, Missouri

Before the talk of Seattle’s “12th Man,” all the noise came from Arrowhead. In the Chiefs’ spat with mediocrity, the Royals have arrived to pick up the pride. A feeling resonant among devout locals and charismatic icons such as Paul Rudd.

4. Kansas City, Missouri

Before the talk of Seattle’s “12th Man,” all the noise came from Arrowhead. In the Chiefs’ spat with mediocrity, the Royals have arrived to pick up the pride. A feeling resonant among devout locals and charismatic icons such as Paul Rudd.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio

A metropolis can’t prosper on chili alone. People need entertainment. The Reds are one of the enduring mainstays of baseball, while the Bengals are just good enough to watch, winning roughly ten games a year — the NFL’s version of AMC programming.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio

A metropolis can’t prosper on chili alone. People need entertainment. The Reds are one of the enduring mainstays of baseball, while the Bengals are just good enough to watch, winning roughly ten games a year — the NFL’s version of AMC programming.

2. Houston, Texas

Houston is sprawling and in the summer she’s sweaty. So thank God for sports. The Rockets are clutch city and the Texans are home to arguably the first defensive end possibly developed in a government lab.

2. Houston, Texas

Houston is sprawling and in the summer she’s sweaty. So thank God for sports. The Rockets are clutch city and the Texans are home to arguably the first defensive end possibly developed in a government lab.

1. Buffalo, New York

Buffalo invented the ‘Buffalo Wing,’ so think about that. What on earth would Buffalonian’s do if professional sports weren’t settled in their city? Eat wings while watching ‘Everybody Loves Raymond?’

1. Buffalo, New York

Buffalo invented the ‘Buffalo Wing,’ so think about that. What on earth would Buffalonian’s do if professional sports weren’t settled in their city? Eat wings while watching ‘Everybody Loves Raymond?’