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Teams That Have Never Won a Championship (And How Close They Came)

Teams That Have Never Won a Championship (And How Close They Came)

The dream of any sports fan is to watch their favorite team win a championship. But for many fans, this dream is never realized. Each existing team across the four major U.S. sports leagues has made the playoffs, but 35 of them have failed to win a championship. Six are MLB teams, nine are NBA teams, nine are from the NFL, and 11 are NHL franchises.

24/7 Tempo reviewed historic title data from the Sports Reference family of sites to determine the teams that have never won a championship. 

Teams that only won titles in leagues in which they no longer play were not considered to have won a championship. For instance, the San Diego Chargers and the Buffalo Bills each won AFL championships in the 1960s, but that league was absorbed by the NFL, so both teams are on this list. On the other hand, teams like the Detroit Lions that won an NFL championship in the pre-Super Bowl era were considered to have won titles in their franchise history and therefore excluded from the list.

Many teams have changed locations throughout the years, taking their history and championship trophies with them. Though the Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t won a title since relocating, the Seattle SuperSonics did bring win an NBA title, so that franchise is considered to have one championship. 

The one exception to this is the Cleveland Browns. The team was moved to Baltimore after the 1995 season, but when the Browns re-formed in Cleveland in 1999, they reclaimed their history and four NFL championships from before the Super Bowl era.

Not every title-lacking team has the same story. For instance, the Vegas Golden Knights are the newest franchise in pro sports, with their NHL journey beginning in 2017. Unlike most expansion teams, the Golden Knights began winning right away, making the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season. On the other hand, teams like the Texas Rangers, Minnesota Vikings, and 10 other teams have been around for more than 50 years and have failed to win a championship — much to the chagrin of their fans. These are the hardest teams to be a fan of.

There appears to be more parity in pro sports leagues in recent years. In 2019 alone, three different teams — the Toronto Raptors, St. Louis Blues, and Washington Nationals — brought home their first title in franchise history. This is the year each team won its first championship.

Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Arizona Coyotes
> Active since: 1979
> Playoff appearances: 19
> Highest round reached: Conference Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 47.9%

Throughout their 40 years in the NHL, the Coyotes Franchise (formerly the Winnipeg Jets) has failed to make the Stanley Cup Finals, only getting as far as the Western Conference Finals in 2012.

Source: Scott Cunningham / Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons
> Active since: 1966
> Playoff appearances: 14
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 44.0%

Atlanta has lost two Super Bowls — Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999 against the Denver Broncos and Super Bowl LI, when they squandered a 28-3 lead against the New England Patriots in 2017.

Source: Al Bello / Getty Images

Buffalo Bills
> Active since: 1960
> Playoff appearances: 18
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 46.7%

The Bills won back-to-back AFL titles in 1964 and 1965, but they haven’t won a championship since joining the NFL. Buffalo suffered four consecutive Super Bowl losses in the 1990-1993 seasons.

Source: Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images

Buffalo Sabres
> Active since: 1970
> Playoff appearances: 29
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 53.4%

The Buffalo Sabres have made it to two Stanley Cup Finals, in 1975 and 1999, losing both in six games.

Source: Brian Blanco / Getty Images

Carolina Panthers
> Active since: 1995
> Playoff appearances: 8
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 49.7%

One of the NFL’s newer teams, the Carolina Panthers have yet to find postseason success. They’ve come close twice, losing Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 on a last-second field goal to the New England Patriots and failing in Super Bowl 50 in 2016 against the Denver Broncos.

Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images

Charlotte Hornets
> Active since: 1988-89
> Playoff appearances: 10
> Highest round reached: Conference Semifinals
> Franchise win pct.: 44.0%

In their 29 full NBA seasons, the Charlotte Hornets have made 10 postseason appearances. In those playoff runs, they’ve lost six times in the first round and four times in the second round.

Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals
> Active since: 1968
> Playoff appearances: 14
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 45.0%

The Cincinnati Bengals lost two Super Bowls in the 1980s, both to the San Francisco 49ers. Their last postseason victory came in 1991 against the Houston Oilers. Since then, they’ve lost eight straight playoff games.

Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Colorado Rockies
> Active since: 1993
> Playoff appearances: 5
> Highest round reached: World Series
> Franchise win pct.: 47.1%

One of the newest MLB teams, the Colorado Rockies have not won a title since their 1993 inception. In their lone World Series appearance in 2007, they were swept by the Boston Red Sox.

Source: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images

Columbus Blue Jackets
> Active since: 2000
> Playoff appearances: 5
> Highest round reached: Second Round
> Franchise point pct.: 49.1%

Columbus Blue Jackets fans have had little to cheer for in the playoffs, but things are looking up. In 2019, the team won its first-ever postseason series in its fifth playoff appearance before losing in the second round.

Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Denver Nuggets
> Active since: 1967-68
> Playoff appearances: 34
> Highest round reached: Conference Finals
> Franchise win pct.: 50.2%

The Denver Nuggets have a history of alternating playoff streaks and droughts. Since joining the NBA, Denver has made three Western Conference Finals trips but never made the NBA Finals.

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

Florida Panthers
> Active since: 1993
> Playoff appearances: 5
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 49.8%

The Florida Panthers have just five postseason appearances in 26 seasons, which likely explains why the team has never lifted the Stanley Cup. The Panthers were swept by the Colorado Avalanche in their lone Finals appearance in 1996.

Source: Tim Warner / Getty Images

Houston Texans
> Active since: 2002
> Playoff appearances: 5
> Highest round reached: Divisional Round
> Franchise win pct.: 45.2%

The newest NFL team is still searching for its first championship. The Houston Texans have made the playoffs three of the past four seasons, but they won only one postseason game over that time.

Source: Logan Bowles / Getty Images

Jacksonville Jaguars
> Active since: 1995
> Playoff appearances: 7
> Highest round reached: AFC Championship Game
> Franchise win pct.: 44.3%

The Jacksonville Jaguars are still searching for their first Super Bowl appearance. The team made the AFC Championship Game three times, losing to the New England Patriots in 1997, the Tennessee Titans in 2000, and the Pats again in 2018.

Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

Los Angeles Chargers
> Active since: 1960
> Playoff appearances: 19
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 50.2%

The 1963 AFL champion Chargers have struggled since joining the NFL in 1970, when the franchise was in San Diego. Their best season ended in a 49-26 drubbing in the Super Bowl at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.

Source: Harry How / Getty Images

Los Angeles Clippers
> Active since: 1970-71
> Playoff appearances: 14
> Highest round reached: Conference Semifinals
> Franchise win pct.: 40.6%

Across three different cities and 50 seasons, the Clippers franchise has been a consistent disappointment. The team has never even made the Conference Finals, much less the NBA Finals.

Source: Steve Dykes / Getty Images

Memphis Grizzlies
> Active since: 1995-96
> Playoff appearances: 10
> Highest round reached: Conference Finals
> Franchise win pct.: 41.2%

Beginning in 2011, the Memphis Grizzlies made seven straight playoff appearances, but they have never advanced past the Conference Finals.

Source: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

Milwaukee Brewers
> Active since: 1969
> Playoff appearances: 6
> Highest round reached: World Series
> Franchise win pct.: 48.1%

In over 50 seasons, the Milwaukee Brewers have made the postseason just six times. Their lone World Series appearance came in 1982, when the Brewers lost in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Source: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images

Minnesota Timberwolves
> Active since: 1989-90
> Playoff appearances: 9
> Highest round reached: Conference Finals
> Franchise win pct.: 40.0%

Beginning in 1997, Kevin Garnett led the Minnesota Timberwolves to eight straight playoff appearances — which ended in seven straight first-round exits before the T-Wolves lost in the 2004 Western Conference Finals. The team has been back to the postseason only once since.

Source: Alex Pantling / Getty Images

Minnesota Vikings
> Active since: 1961
> Playoff appearances: 29
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 54.8%

In the early Super Bowl era, the Vikings were a great team. Minnesota made the big game four times — in the 1969, 1973, 1974, and 1976 seasons — only to lose each time. Since then, the Vikings have had several heartbreaking missed field goals that spoiled their title aspirations.

Source: Elsa / Getty Images

Minnesota Wild
> Active since: 2000
> Playoff appearances: 9
> Highest round reached: Conference Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 54.4%

After losing the North Stars to Dallas in 1993, Minnesota got a new team, the Wild, in 2000. In nine playoff appearances, the Wild have yet to make the Stanley Cup Finals.

Source: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images

Nashville Predators
> Active since: 1998
> Playoff appearances: 12
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 55.6%

In their best-ever finish, the Nashville Predators lost a six-game Stanley Cup Finals to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.

Source: Sarah Stier / Getty Images

New Orleans Pelicans
> Active since: 2002-2003
> Playoff appearances: 7
> Highest round reached: Conference Semifinals
> Franchise win pct.: 46.5%

In seven playoff appearances, the New Orleans Pelicans have only advanced past the first round twice, and they never advanced beyond the second round of the playoffs.

Source: Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA / Wikimedia Commons

Orlando Magic
> Active since: 1989-90
> Playoff appearances: 15
> Highest round reached: NBA Finals
> Franchise win pct.: 48.0%

The Orlando Magic have made the NBA Finals twice, in 1995 and 2009. Both times, they were led by dominant young centers (Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard) and both times the Magic were dominated by more experienced opponents (Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers).

Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images

Ottawa Senators
> Active since: 1992
> Playoff appearances: 16
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 51.0%

The first iteration of the Ottawa Senators were an NHL powerhouse, winning three titles from 1917 through 1934. The newer Senators, which began playing in the NHL in 1992, have made the Finals just once, losing to Anaheim 4-1 in 2007.

Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Images

Phoenix Suns
> Active since: 1968-69
> Playoff appearances: 29
> Highest round reached: NBA Finals
> Franchise win pct.: 52.9%

Despite making 29 playoff appearances, the Phoenix Suns have never won an NBA title. They came closest in 1976 and 1993, when they lost in the NBA Finals.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dirkhansen/

San Diego Padres
> Active since: 1969
> Playoff appearances: 5
> Highest round reached: World Series
> Franchise win pct.: 46.1%

Throughout their 51 seasons, the San Diego Padres averaged about one postseason appearance per decade, and they haven’t made the playoffs since 2006.

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

San Jose Sharks
> Active since: 1991
> Playoff appearances: 21
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 53.8%

San Jose may not seem like a hockey stronghold, but the Sharks have made the postseason in 21 of their 28 seasons. San Jose made the Stanley Cup Finals just once, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Source: Masterpress / Getty Images

Seattle Mariners
> Active since: 1977
> Playoff appearances: 4
> Highest round reached: American League Championship Series
> Franchise win pct.: 47.1%

The Seattle Mariners made the playoffs four times between 1995 and 2001 — but not before or since. They are the only active MLB franchise without a World Series appearance. The 2001 squad won 116 regular season games, but lost in the ALCS.

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

Tampa Bay Rays
> Active since: 1998
> Playoff appearances: 5
> Highest round reached: World Series
> Franchise win pct.: 47.3%

In their franchise’s first playoff appearance in 2008, the Tampa Bay Rays made it to the World Series, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies. Since then, the team has made four postseason appearances.

Source: Michael Reaves / Getty Images

Tennessee Titans
> Active since: 1960
> Playoff appearances: 22
> Highest round reached: Super Bowl
> Franchise win pct.: 48.2%

The Tennessee Titans, once the Houston Oilers, won the first two AFL championships — but nothing else since. In their one Super Bowl appearance, in 2000, the Titans came agonizingly close to a game-tying score at the last second but fell a yard short.

Source: theterrifictc / Flickr

Texas Rangers
> Active since: 1961
> Playoff appearances: 8
> Highest round reached: World Series
> Franchise win pct.: 47.8%

After missing the playoffs in each of their first 35 seasons, the Texas Rangers have made the postseason eight times since 1996. The team made the World Series in 2010 and 2011, losing both times. In game six of the 2011 World Series, the Rangers were twice within a strike of winning it all, but they fell short.

Source: Gene Sweeney Jr. / Getty Images

Utah Jazz
> Active since: 1974-75
> Playoff appearances: 28
> Highest round reached: NBA Finals
> Franchise win pct.: 54.0%

Despite having the dynamic duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone, the Jazz have never brought a title to Utah. The team made back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, losing to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls both times.

Source: Jeff Vinnick / Getty Images

Vancouver Canucks
> Active since: 1970
> Playoff appearances: 27
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 48.7%

Vancouver Canucks fans have suffered through three Stanley Cup Finals losses — in 1982, 1994, and 2011.

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Vegas Golden Knights
> Active since: 2017
> Playoff appearances: 2
> Highest round reached: Stanley Cup Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 60.6%

The Vegas Golden Knights stunned the sports world by making the Stanley Cup Finals their first season in 2018, losing to the Washington Capitals. Vegas also lost in the first round in the 2019 playoffs.

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Winnipeg Jets
> Active since: 1999
> Playoff appearances: 4
> Highest round reached: Conference Finals
> Franchise point pct.: 49.4%

Once the Atlanta Thrashers, the Winnipeg Jets have struggled to make the playoffs, earning a postseason spot just four times since the 1999-2000 season. Their best season came in 2018, when they made it to the Western Conference Finals.

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