Why do we hate these US sports teams so much?

The team's former name, which was only changed in 2020 despite decades of complaints, is the main source of aversion. The name "Washington Redskins" was offensive towards Native Americans. The team's former owner, Daniel Snyder (depicted), claimed it was a form of tribute to the Native American community.

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Washington Redskins -

The Redskins faced backlash from their fan base when they relocated their primary stadium away from the city center, causing inconvenience for dedicated local supporters during their commute.

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LA Lakers -

This team is widely disliked but highly respected.

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LA Lakers -

Celebrities, including athletes, are expected to be role models, but the Lakers team has failed to meet these expectations. In 2003, the late Kobe Bryant was charged with sexual assault. Yahoo reports that there have also been instances of DUI arrests and threats against police officers involving Lakers players.

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Alabama Crimson Tide -

In 2007, there was a significant controversy surrounding coach Nick Saban's transition from LSU to Alabama. This move would have presented challenges under normal circumstances, but it was exacerbated by the intense rivalry between the two colleges.

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Alabama Crimson Tide -

Ultimately, individuals dislike them simply because, despite their imperfect system, it proves effective. They emerged victorious in the 2018 National Championship, defeating Georgia in overtime.

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New York Yankees -

No surprise here, the New York Yankees are widely regarded as the most disliked team in baseball. Due to the absence of a salary cap, the Yankees have gained notoriety for their extravagant spending on players.

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New York Yankees -

The Yankees were greatly affected by the steroid controversy, as former player Alex Rodriguez eventually admitted to using steroids.

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USC Trojans -

UCLA holds a strong dislike for the Trojans, yet their lack of popularity extends beyond that rivalry. Fansided refers to them as “the most hated team in California.”

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USC Trojans -

O.J. Simpson and Reggie Bush (pictured) are among two players who were obliged to relinquish their trophies.

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Miami Heat -

Business Insider refers to them as “the most polarizing team in the league.”

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Miami Heat -

Why? Perhaps it's due to Dwayne Wade and LeBron James' exaggerated falls. Alternatively, it could be attributed to the team's affiliates consistently making inappropriate remarks, such as owner Micky Arison (depicted) shouting "stay white!" during his speech following their victory in the NBA Finals in 2006.

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Detroit Red Wings -

The Red Wings, the first hockey team mentioned, have acquired several adversaries in the hockey community. Their practice of hurling dead octopuses onto the ice has stirred discontent among rival supporters and advocates for animals.

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Detroit Red Wings -

According to The Sportster, there was discontent among many people regarding Detroit's trademarking of the term "Hockeytown," as they believed that the city was not worthy of that designation.

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Golden State Warriors -

The team has a reputation for making conceited remarks. Joe Lacob (owner, pictured) stated in a 2016 interview with the New York Times that the team is “light-years ahead of probably every other team.” That may have been a bit much.

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Golden State Warriors -

NBA players commonly express displeasure when they believe a call is unjust. Nonetheless, the Golden State Warriors tend to take this even further. In 2017, Steph Curry garnered attention for throwing his mouthguard, unintentionally striking a fan, after fouling out.

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New York Jets -

The Jets are perceived by many as lacking unity. ESPN has reported on instances of teammates criticizing one another, specifically mentioning former players Sheldon Richardson and Brandon Marshall in the locker room.

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New York Jets -

Their apparent lack of organization extends to their relationship with their own fan base. An example of this is when their former coach, Todd Bowles, neglected to inform their starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, about being benched in 2016. Bowles chose to break the news to the media before informing Fitzpatrick.

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Boston Celtics -

The Celtics hold a tied record of 17 NBA championships, making them the most successful team in terms of titles alongside the Lakers. Consequently, it is understandable that some individuals might harbor strong negative feelings towards them.

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Boston Celtics -

The "Big 4" greatly fueled this animosity, as it's easy to hate the impressive alliance of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish -

Notre Dame's venture into merchandising is well-remembered, when they adorned their shirts with "Catholics vs Convicts" for the Miami game.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish -

Secondly, there is their involvement with the BCS national championship. They are still one of the main teams that influence the championship, even though their record hasn’t been very positive during its run. Forbes points out that “no one likes unearned privileges except those who receive them.”

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Philadelphia Eagles -

The Eagles often face criticism from their own fan base, rather than the team itself. In 2015, Sports Illustrated labeled their fanbase as the Most Hated.

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Philadelphia Eagles -

According to ESPN, many haters reference the 1968 game when Santa faced a negative reception in the stadium, being greeted with boos and snowballs.

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Boston Bruins -

Brad Marchand, known for his diving, has contributed to the Bruins' negative reputation among players. He has been suspended twice for dirty plays.

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Boston Bruins -

Milan Lucic, a former player for the Boston Bruins, is worth mentioning as well. Bleacher Report consistently ranked him among the top 20 most disliked NHL players over the years.

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Oakland Raiders -

The decision to relocate to Las Vegas in 2020 has generated significant controversy within the NFL community.

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Oakland Raiders -

According to Huffpost, Oakland made an attempt to retain them, but unfortunately, their offer wasn't as good. Consequently, the Raiders left their hometown, leaving their loyal fans in the Oakland area behind.

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Duke Blue Devils -

Besides their well-known arrogance, Duke University is notorious for their aggressive and unsportsmanlike conduct. For instance, back in 2003, Dahntay Jones caused a severe injury through a dirty play, breaking an opponent's jaw. Similarly, in 2007, Gerald Henderson infamously broke the nose of a rival University of North Carolina player.

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Duke Blue Devils -

There is even a documentary about former Duke player Christian Laettner titled 'I Hate Christian Laettner.'

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Seattle Seahawks -

The Seahawks have faced various problems that have garnered animosity within the NFL community. According to reports, Head Coach Pete Carroll violated the disclosure rule in early 2017, jeopardizing his team's draft pick.

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Seattle Seahawks -

According to Deadspin, the team not only includes members accused of sexual assault but also reportedly inflicts harm upon their own teammates through a "flying punch."

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Denver Broncos -

According to the NFL, the public's disapproval of cheaters is evident in their response to the Broncos' multiple suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs.

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Denver Broncos -

In 2017, a new head coach named Vance Joseph was hired, despite facing accusations of sexual assault during his time at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Cleveland Cavaliers -

The Cavaliers possess an impressive roster, consisting of five players who are deemed the finest in the NBA according to Sports Illustrated. This has stirred controversy, with criticism over their relentless pursuit of talent regardless of the expense involved.

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Cleveland Cavaliers -

LeBron James, the former star player of the Cleveland Cavaliers, also contributed to the situation. Some local fans are still upset about his departure from the Cavs to join the Miami Heat in 2010.

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Indianapolis Colts -

There have been suggestions that the Colts intentionally underperformed in one of their seasons to secure a high pick in the 2012 NFL draft for a top quarterback prospect.

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Indianapolis Colts -

According to Deadspin, it is reported that the Indianapolis Colts allegedly lack concern for their players. In 2015, their quarterback Andrew Luck suffered a shoulder injury and was only able to undergo surgery in the subsequent off-season of 2016.

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Dallas Cowboys -

Forbes ranked the Cowboys as the most valuable sports team in 2017, leading to increased scrutiny of all aspects of their operations.

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Dallas Cowboys -

The Cowboys have had their share of controversy, having acquired some players with questionable backgrounds. According to the NFL, Adam "Pacman" Jones, who had been arrested six times prior to joining the team, is one such example.

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Chicago Blackhawks -

According to ESPN's 2004 rankings, the Chicago Blackhawks were deemed the Worst Sports Franchise, encompassing all teams, not just in the NHL.

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Chicago Blackhawks -

Following their victory in the 2013 Stanley Cup, Chicago faced a setback as ABC News reported that 23 arrests occurred during the celebratory events, affecting their overall popularity.

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New England Patriots -

The Patriots are widely considered as the NFL's most disliked team in the United States. Tom Brady, their former quarterback, earned the title of the most disliked player in the NFL in 2017 according to Sporting News. Their image did not improve following their subsequent Super Bowl victories against the Falcons in 2017 and the Rams in 2019.

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New England Patriots -

Patriots players have faced legal issues too. One notable example is Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015.

See more: Celebrities who have dated NFL players

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Pittsburgh Steelers -

Steelers supporters contribute to the animosity towards this team. Their traditions, such as the famous "Terrible Towel," encourage a sense of pride that can sometimes come across as excessive.

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Pittsburgh Steelers -

What's more, former player James Harrison accumulated fines amounting to US$125,000 in the 2010 season alone due to his involvement in dirty plays, as reported by ESPN.

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Boston Red Sox -

The first, but certainly not the last, Boston team on the list, the Red Sox are not very well-liked by baseball fans in general.

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Boston Red Sox L -

They are known for having a significant number of bandwagon supporters, which dedicated fans simply cannot tolerate.

Getty Images

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San Francisco 49ers -

The Bay Area team seems to exclusively have local supporters, including some that are quite intimidating. In 2013, a 49ers fan attacked a Falcons fan by stabbing him in the neck following a defeat.

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San Francisco 49ers -

Their slogan is seen as overly confident by numerous fans. It goes, "Who's got it better than us?" to which they respond, "Nobody!"

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Washington Commanders -

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Washington Redskins -

The Redskins faced backlash from their fan base when they relocated their primary stadium away from the city center, causing inconvenience for dedicated local supporters during their commute.

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LA Lakers -

This team is widely disliked but highly respected.

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LA Lakers -

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Alabama Crimson Tide -

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Alabama Crimson Tide -

Ultimately, individuals dislike them simply because, despite their imperfect system, it proves effective. They emerged victorious in the 2018 National Championship, defeating Georgia in overtime.

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New York Yankees -

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New York Yankees -

The Yankees were greatly affected by the steroid controversy, as former player Alex Rodriguez eventually admitted to using steroids.

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USC Trojans -

UCLA holds a strong dislike for the Trojans, yet their lack of popularity extends beyond that rivalry. Fansided refers to them as “the most hated team in California.”

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USC Trojans -

O.J. Simpson and Reggie Bush (pictured) are among two players who were obliged to relinquish their trophies.

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Miami Heat -

Business Insider refers to them as “the most polarizing team in the league.”

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Miami Heat -

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Detroit Red Wings -

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Detroit Red Wings -

According to The Sportster, there was discontent among many people regarding Detroit's trademarking of the term "Hockeytown," as they believed that the city was not worthy of that designation.

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Golden State Warriors -

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Golden State Warriors -

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New York Jets -

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New York Jets -

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Boston Celtics -

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Boston Celtics -

The "Big 4" greatly fueled this animosity, as it's easy to hate the impressive alliance of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, and Ray Allen.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish -

Notre Dame's venture into merchandising is well-remembered, when they adorned their shirts with "Catholics vs Convicts" for the Miami game.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish -

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Philadelphia Eagles -

The Eagles often face criticism from their own fan base, rather than the team itself. In 2015, Sports Illustrated labeled their fanbase as the Most Hated.

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Philadelphia Eagles -

According to ESPN, many haters reference the 1968 game when Santa faced a negative reception in the stadium, being greeted with boos and snowballs.

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Boston Bruins -

Brad Marchand, known for his diving, has contributed to the Bruins' negative reputation among players. He has been suspended twice for dirty plays.

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Boston Bruins -

Milan Lucic, a former player for the Boston Bruins, is worth mentioning as well. Bleacher Report consistently ranked him among the top 20 most disliked NHL players over the years.

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Oakland Raiders -

The decision to relocate to Las Vegas in 2020 has generated significant controversy within the NFL community.

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Oakland Raiders -

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Duke Blue Devils -

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Duke Blue Devils -

There is even a documentary about former Duke player Christian Laettner titled 'I Hate Christian Laettner.'

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Seattle Seahawks -

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Seattle Seahawks -

According to Deadspin, the team not only includes members accused of sexual assault but also reportedly inflicts harm upon their own teammates through a "flying punch."

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Denver Broncos -

According to the NFL, the public's disapproval of cheaters is evident in their response to the Broncos' multiple suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs.

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Denver Broncos -

In 2017, a new head coach named Vance Joseph was hired, despite facing accusations of sexual assault during his time at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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Cleveland Cavaliers -

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Cleveland Cavaliers -

LeBron James, the former star player of the Cleveland Cavaliers, also contributed to the situation. Some local fans are still upset about his departure from the Cavs to join the Miami Heat in 2010.

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Indianapolis Colts -

There have been suggestions that the Colts intentionally underperformed in one of their seasons to secure a high pick in the 2012 NFL draft for a top quarterback prospect.

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Indianapolis Colts -

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Dallas Cowboys -

Forbes ranked the Cowboys as the most valuable sports team in 2017, leading to increased scrutiny of all aspects of their operations.

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Dallas Cowboys -

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Chicago Blackhawks -

According to ESPN's 2004 rankings, the Chicago Blackhawks were deemed the Worst Sports Franchise, encompassing all teams, not just in the NHL.

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Chicago Blackhawks -

Following their victory in the 2013 Stanley Cup, Chicago faced a setback as ABC News reported that 23 arrests occurred during the celebratory events, affecting their overall popularity.

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New England Patriots -

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New England Patriots -

Patriots players have faced legal issues too. One notable example is Aaron Hernandez, who was convicted of first-degree murder in 2015.

See more: Celebrities who have dated NFL players

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Why do we hate these US sports teams so much?

Sorry if your favorite team is on the list!

30/10/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Sport

It is difficult to determine the exact reason behind someone's hatred towards a sports team. Could it be their playing style? Their off-field behavior? Perhaps it is the conduct of their supporters? Whatever the reason, these particular teams have a bad reputation and have garnered disapproval from many sports fans.

Curious? Take a look through the gallery to meet America's most hated teams.