I'd have to go with the Yankees.

Everyone either loves 'em or hates 'em. But they care about them one way or the other.

Can't really say that about the Padres.

I'm just saying that outside of Cali, not many really care about SC that I've seen -- or maybe I should say outside of the Pac-10. No one gave a crap about them until Carroll engineered the turnaround. Up 'til then, they were kind of irrelevant. I don't think you're "America's Team" after 2 years.

You'd probably have to give that to ND. They're the only team I know that can support a huge national fanbase despite the fact that they suck.

Again, I give that nod to Notre Dame. I hope Ty Willingham can overcome what happened last season, plus those "We need the black athlete so we need to soften standards for acceptance" comments that one old guy gave.

Oh that guy (I forget his name) was just retarded. He consequently "resigned" from his position (in other words, they gave him the boot). After what Willingham did at Stanford (which is really pretty amazing), he should be able to have success at ND. He's a good coach and he's churning out good players for the NFL.

I'm looking forward to watching Julius Jones in the NFL. He should be getting a shot to start in Dallas.

NFL: Green Bay, very few people who are only casual fans hate the Pack. Unless youre a fan of the Vikes, Bears or Lions, Green Bay is a team that you can appreciate.

MLB: Either Cubs or Bosox...pretty much you feel sorry for the both of them, so it's more pity than anything, but more people hate the yankees nationwide than the Red Sox.

NHL: Colorado or Detroit pretty evenly split

Soccer: Man U, just because the casual fan doesn't know anything more.

NBA: whatever team is doing well at the time. I think it's easier to pick one player and like that team b/c of that person rather than really care about a team.

College Football: I'd say Nebraska, and not because I'm biased - I've been all over the place and wearing Nebraska stuff and have people come up and talk to me about the team. Anywhere from a Cruise ship in the Caribean when I talked to a guy from Northern Canada to the streets of Bloomington IN when I was there for UIFI.
Other than Nebraska, probably Michigan.

Basketball: I always see a bunch of Tarheels stuff around. Next is probably Arizona.

What she said! I get excited when I see someone wearing Duke nalia! :D
As far as NFL, I root for the Redskins and anyone playing the Dallas Cowboys!

I really think the qualification of an "America's Team" is totally based on people either being fans or despising you.

Whoever posted the Yankees, Lakers, Cowboys, Red Wings was right on.

I'll agree that College Sports is more of a regional thing, but when it comes to football Notre Dame and basketball UNC you will find supporters and opposers everywhere.

ktsnake, the guy you're thinking of is Paul Horning.

This all kinda hinges back on the 'bandwagon' fan argument, and y'all surely know my feelings about that.

LOL at whoever said the Cubs are America's Team. Just because you're known as perennial losers and the country feels sorry for you, doesn't make you America's Darlings.

Kitso
KS 361

Sorry, Man U CANNOT be "America's team" since it's not even in America. Freddy Adu may turn the fan base around for DC United, but the Chicago Fire won the Supporters' Cup.

I've seen Man U, I've seen Real Madrid, I've seen several other European teams - but the most exciting games I've EVER seen are those with the USMNT (US Men's National Team), while sitting with Sam's Army!

For the record, about a year ago, I realized that I had been to over 1,000 professional soccer games, so I think I'm fairly informed on this!

I'd have to say that America's teams are, just based on the places I've been for any extended period of time are:
NFL - would be Dallas or Denver, NBA - Chicago or the Lakers, NHL - Detroit or the Rangers, MLB - the Cubs, College Basketball - Duke, College Football - ND easily (they're the only other team you'll find fans of in most southern states besides the state team(s)).

I definitely agree with Notre Dame in college football. They're the only team with every game on network TV, and they have all the "subway alumni."

You can make a good case for the Cubs in baseball too. When Sports Illustrated was doing the 50 state thing, you'd be surprised how many states listed the Cubs as a favorite baseball team...places nowhere near Illinois.

The Yankees sell more merchandise than any other baseball team, and its not a slight edge. I haven't seen the numbers in a while, but something like more than 20% of all MLB merchandise sold is Yankee merchandise. I'm not a Yankees fan, but they are clearly America's team.

Dallas gets the nod for football.

I don't know about the others, but I've got a hunch that Notre Dame is the most popular NCAA football team.

I know there were just tours, but last years Nike tour was the biggest thing in American soccer in 2003, and those we're exhibitions. There were so many fans of every team present (especially Man U), so they come out in the woodworks when the time comes.

They may not be in America, but this is the WORLD's game. This is the only sport we've listed that is more popular outside of the US and Canada, and with the many fan clubs of the Premier league and La Liga in the USA, I'd still have to say a Euro team has a bigger fan base than any MLS team.

That's great you got to sit with Sam's Army though, I've never been around USMNT fans whenever they play, and I heard they're rabid.

Let's see interest in MLS period increase, then maybe they can hold that title.

Having lived, visited or worked in TV (including broadcastins sports) in most parts of the country, I think this whole thing is pretty regional.

I absolutely agree with Notre Dame, though.

As an aside, when the whole Dallas Cowboys "America's Team" thing was going on, I was at an event at Cherry Creek High School (known locally as "Creek"). It is a big campus type school and has won something like 60 state championships in major sports. One year, as I recall, they won, football, basketball, baseball and tennis. Big time school. Anyway, I was in a classroom and someone had put a bumper sticker on the teachers podium that read, "Creek, America's School."

That's just going too far. (Especially when your kids go to another Cherry Creek District high school)

Well they also are one of the few teams with a National television contract. Thats what it comes down to a lot nowadays. I bet nobody would give 2 shits about the Cubs if it werent for WGN being broadcast nationally (I know I wouldnt).