Never again in the history of time will Philly have to hear the words “never won a Super Bowl.”
Unless, that is, Eagles fans happen to be talking to beleaguered supporters of the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers or Houston Texans.
Those are the remaining franchises that have never hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. If that seems like a lot, it is.
It’s 12 out of 32 teams, which is more than a third of the current NFL. Yet it always seems — sorry, seemed — to be the Eagles people pointed to when it came to a lack of titles. Well, not anymore!
The Eagles will go into the 2018 NFL season as defending champs, and with much of the roster slated to be back, they’ll be favorites to return to the Super Bowl next year. In one night we went from laughing stock of the sports world to standing on top of the mountain. Champions, again.
Philadelphia joins New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles as the only cities with a team to win the World Series, Stanley Cup, Super Bowl and NBA title. pic.twitter.com/odc7BWT1u4
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 5, 2018
Some cities are spoiled. Boston has won so many titles in the last 20 years it’s hard to count, which is why beating the New England Patriots to win in Super Bowl 52 feels so sweet for Eagles fans.
In dethroning the reigning champs, our drought was reset to zero while officially re-starting theirs. But truth be told, it’s only been 10 years since the Phillies won the 2008 World Series. As hard as this run has been been to go through — that’s 40 collective seasons with the big four Philly teams trusting the process and all that’s come with it — it’s really not all that bad.
Here’s a look at the major sports cities with multiple teams in existing American professional sports leagues, and when they won their last championship. In case you needed a reminder: The Eagles won their last one Sunday night.
Reigning champions
| NFL: Philadelphia Eagles |
| MLB: Houston Astros |
| NBA: Golden State Warriors |
| NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins |
| MLS: Toronto FC |
Longest championship drought, by sport
| NFL: Arizona Cardinals | 70 years |
| MLB: Cleveland Indians | 69 years |
| NBA: Sacramento Kings | 66 years |
| NHL: St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs | 49 years |
| MLS: New York Red Bulls, FC Dallas,
New England Revolution | 22 years |
To be fair, the list above may be a tad misleading.
It does show the longest drought in each sport. But other than the Blues and the three MLS clubs, all of those franchises have won championships before. The NBA has 11 franchises that have never won a title, but none have been around as long as the Kings. The NHL has 12 teams that have never won the Stanley Cup, including the Blues, but not counting the Vegas Knights who just started this season. None of the others have been around as long as Toronto has gone without a title.
And yet, Toronto has the most recent championship, outside of the Eagles winning the Super Bowl. Which they just did. On Sunday. Sure, fans in Toronto would much rather win a Stanley Cup than an MLS Cup, but a title is a title.
Here’s how cities around the continent have suffered compared to Philly.
Longest championship drought, by city (with multiple teams in current pro leagues)
| City | Most recent title | Other franchises’ most recent title |
| Philadelphia | 2017 – Eagles | 2008 – Phillies, 1983 – Sixers, 1975 – Flyers. (No titles: Union 2010-present) |
| Toronto | 2017 – Toronto FC | 1993 – Blue Jays, 1967 – Maple Leafs. (No titles: Raptors 1995-present) |
| Houston | 2017 – Astros | 2007 – Dynamo, 1995 – Rockets. (No titles: Texans 2002-present) |
| Pittsburgh | 2017 – Penguins | 2008 – Steelers, 1979 – Pirates |
| San Francisco/Oakland | 2017 – Warriors | 2014 – Giants, 1994 – 49ers, 1983 – Raiders |
| Seattle | 2016 – Sounders | 2013 – Seahawks, 1979 – Sonics. (No title: Mariners 1977-present) |
| Boston | 2016 – Patriots | 2013 – Red Sox, 2011 – Bruins, 2008 – Celtics. (No title: Revolution 1996-present) |
| Chicago | 2016 – Cubs | 2015 – Blackhawks, 2005 – White Sox, 1998 – Bulls, 1998 – Fire, 1985 – Bears |
| Cleveland | 2016 – Cavaliers | 1948 – Indians, 1964 NFL Championship – Browns |
| Portland | 2015 – Timbers | 1977 – Trail Blazers |
| Kansas City | 2015 – Royals | 2013 – Sporting KC, 1969 – Chiefs. (No title: Kings [NBA] 1972-1986) |
| Denver | 2015 – Broncos | 2010 – Rapids, 2001 – Avalanche. (No titles: Nuggets 1967-present, Rockies 1993-present) |
| Los Angeles | 2014 – Kings, Galaxy | 2010 – Lakers, 1951 NFL Championship – Rams. (No titles: Clippers 1984-present, Chivas USA 2004-14, Chargers 2017-present) |
| Miami | 2013 – Heat | 2003 – Marlins, 1973 – Dolphins. (No titles: Panthers 1993 – present) |
| Baltimore | 2012 – Ravens | 1983 – Orioles. (No titles: Bullets 1963-73) |
| Dallas | 2011 – Mavericks | 1999 – Stars, 1995 – Cowboys. (No titles: Rangers 1972-present, FC Dallas 1996-present) |
| New York | 2011 – Giants | 2009 – Yankees, 1994 – Rangers, 1986 – Mets, 1983 – Islanders, 1973 – Knicks, 1968 – Jets. (No titles: NY Red Bulls 1996-present, NYCFC 2015-present) |
| St. Louis | 2011 – Cardinals | 1999 – Rams, 1958 – Hawks [NBA]. (No title: Blues 1967-present) |
| Milwaukee/Green Bay | 2010 – Packers | 1991 – Twins, 1971 – Bucks, 1957 – Braves [MLB]. (No titles: Timberwolves 1989-present) |
| New Orleans | 2009 – Saints | (No titles: Hornets/Pelicans 2002-present, Jazz 1974-79) |
| Salt Lake City | 2009 – Real Salt Lake | (No titles: Jazz 1980-present) |
| Detroit | 2008 – Red Wings | 2004 – Pistons, 1984 – Tigers, 1957 NFL Championship – Lions |
| Charlotte | 2006 – Hurricanes | (No titles: Panthers 1995-present, Hornets/Bobcats 1988-present) |
| Indianapolis | 2006 – Colts | 1973 ABA title – Pacers |
| Tampa | 2004 – Lightning | 2002 – Buccaneers. (No title: Rays 1998-present) |
| San Jose | 2003 – Earthquakes | (No title: Sharks 1991-present) |
| Phoenix | 2001 – Diamondbacks | (No titles: Cardinals 1988-present, Suns 1968-present, Coyotes 1996-present) |
| Atlanta | 1995 – Braves | 1958 – Hawks. (No titles: Falcons 1966-present, Atlanta United FC 2017-present) |
| Montreal | 1993 – Canadiens | (No title: Montreal Impact 2012-present) |
| Washington, D.C. | 1991 – Redskins | 2004 – DC United, 1978 – Bullets [NBA]. (No titles: Capitals 1974-present) |
| Cincinnati | 1990 – Reds | (No titles: Bengals 1968-present, Royals [NBA] 1957-72) |
| Minneapolis | 1969 NFL Championship – Vikings | 1954 – Lakers. (No titles: North Stars 1967-93, Wild 2000-present) |
| Buffalo | 1965 AFL Championship – Bills | (No titles: Sabres 1970-present, Braves [NBA] – 1970-78) |
| Nashville | No titles | (No titles: Titans 1997-present, Predators 1998-present) |
