Last time, we covered the ten worst American sports franchises of the 21st century. With the franchise performance scale in hand, it was determined that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been the worst franchise this century, thanks to a heap of losing seasons and non-playoff streaks. 

Now, let’s look at the more positive side of things and figure out the best franchises of this century. Some of these will likely not be a shock, but some teams here might not be at the top of people’s minds. 

Before jumping in, here is a recap of the scoring details for this exercise:

Rule Detail	MLB	NBA	NFL
Win a championship	+20	+20	+20
League/Conference champion	+10	+10	+10
Playoff series/game win	+6	+3	+4
Make playoffs	+4	+2	+2
5 consecutive years w/a playoff appearance	+5 (+1 for each extra year)	+2 (+1 for each extra year)	+3 (+1 for each extra year)
5 consecutive years w/a winning record	+3 (+1 for each extra year)	+3 (+1 for each extra year)	+3 (+1 for each extra year)
Winning record	+1	+1	+1
Best league record	+3	+3	+3
Worst league record	-3	-3	-3
5 consecutive years w/o playoff appearance	-3 (+1 for each extra year)	-6 (+1 for each extra year)	-5 (+1 for each extra year)
5 consecutive years w/o winning record	-5 (+1 for each extra year)	-5 (+1 for each extra year)	-5 (+1 for each extra year)

With an average score of 49.7 across all teams, we have a benchmark to compare the top teams. So, who takes the crown as the best franchise of this century? Let’s find out.

#10 Boston Celtics 

The Boston Celtics may have spent the first half of the 21st century searching for their identity, but once they found it, they reestablished themselves as one of the NBA’s premier franchises, accumulating 130 points on the franchise performance scale. 

For years, Boston fans endured a title drought, watching the franchise struggle to recapture the glory days of the Larry Bird era. Finally, in 2007, they broke through by trading for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to create a Big Three in Boston and win a title in 2008. Since then, the Celtics have remained one of the NBA’s most consistently competitive teams, making multiple deep playoff runs. They returned to the Finals in 2010, came close again in the late 2010s behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and finally broke through again in 2024, winning their 18th title—officially passing the Lakers for the most in NBA history.

Boston’s ability to rebuild on the fly without enduring long stretches of irrelevance sets them apart. They’ve never tanked for multiple years, never bottomed out, and always seem to have a plan. With Tatum and Brown leading the way, the Celtics’ future remains as bright as their storied past.

#9 Kansas City Chiefs  

The Kansas City Chiefs have transformed from perennial underachievers to an NFL powerhouse in the 21st century. With 131 points on the scale, they’ve become a dominant force in the league.​

The turning point came in 2013 with the arrival of head coach Andy Reid. His leadership immediately revitalized the franchise, leading to consistent success. The true game-changer, though, was the 2017 draft pick of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes’ exceptional talent has propelled the Chiefs to new heights, culminating in a Super Bowl LIV victory in 2019—their first in 50 years.​ They, of course, built on this success by winning back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 2022 and 2023, solidifying their dynasty status. Their attempt at a historic three-peat was thwarted in 2024 with a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

From a franchise that once struggled for relevance, the Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as a model of success and consistency in the NFL’s modern era.

#8 Boston Red Sox 

For a franchise that once carried the weight of an 86-year championship drought, the Boston Red Sox have spent the 21st century making up for lost time. With 138 points coming off of 19 winning seasons, 11 playoff appearances, and four World Series titles (2004, 2007, 2013, 2018), they’ve cemented themselves as one of baseball’s most successful teams of the modern era.

The curse-breaking 2004 season was the stuff of legends. Down 3-0 in the ALCS against their bitter rivals, the Yankees, the Red Sox pulled off the most incredible comeback in baseball history, winning four straight and eventually sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series. That win shattered “The Curse of the Bambino” and kicked off a new era of Red Sox dominance.

Since then, Boston has thrived, adding three more titles. The 2007 squad steamrolled through the postseason, the 2013 team brought hope to a city reeling from tragedy, and the 2018 Red Sox, led by Mookie Betts, put together one of the most dominant seasons in MLB history, winning 108 games en route to another championship.

Even in their “down” years, the Red Sox have remained competitive, rarely staying out of contention for long. While their aggressive roster moves (and occasional blunders, like trading Betts) have sparked debate, their commitment to winning has kept them near the top of the baseball world. Few teams have packed as much success into this century as Boston. From cursed to crowned, the Red Sox have redefined their legacy.

#7 Miami Heat 

The Miami Heat are a sneaky appearance on this list. Most people likely remember the LeBron era in Miami, but few probably realize just how consistent the Heat have been this century. With 143 franchise points, the Heat have established themselves as one of the premier franchises in the NBA.

It all started with Dwyane Wade, who arrived in Miami in 2003 and quickly became the face of the franchise. By 2006, he had already delivered the Heat’s first championship, leading a legendary Finals comeback alongside Shaquille O’Neal. However, Miami’s true dominance began in 2010 when Pat Riley pulled off one of the biggest free-agency coups in NBA history, forming the Big Three of Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. The result? Four straight Finals appearances and back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. Even after LeBron’s departure, the Heat have refused to fade into irrelevance. Their famed “Heat Culture” has kept them competitive, allowing them to reload rather than rebuild. 

Few teams have maintained a standard of excellence like the Heat. Whether through superstar power, gritty underdog runs, or Riley’s masterful front-office moves, Miami has remained one of the NBA’s gold-standard franchises.

#6 St. Louis Cardinals 

If there’s one thing you can count on in baseball, it’s the St. Louis Cardinals being competitive. Though there appearance might come as a surprise to some for this list, coming in at 153 franchise points, the Cardinals have been one of the most consistent forces in the MLB over the past 25 years.

Unlike the big-spending powerhouses of the league, the Cardinals have built their success on strong player development, savvy front-office decisions, and a baseball culture that rivals any in the sport. They don’t always have the biggest payroll but are always in the mix. Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Adam Wainwright formed the heart of the franchise for over a decade, leading St. Louis to its two championships in dramatic fashion—most notably the 2011 title run, where David Freese’s heroics became the stuff of baseball legend.

Even when the roster changes, the Cardinals never seem to go through a proper rebuild. They reload. From adding stars like Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt to a farm system that consistently churns out talent, St. Louis remains a model franchise for sustained success.

With one of the most passionate fan bases in baseball and a reputation for always being in the hunt, the Cardinals are a franchise that other teams aspire to be—and one that opposing teams never take lightly.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers

Few teams have blended tradition with modern dominance like the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers have been a powerhouse in Major League Baseball throughout the 21st century, accumulating 155 franchise points through consistent regular season and postseason success. 

The Dodgers’ success stems from an elite combination of scouting, player development, and deep-pocketed ownership willing to spend on stars like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani. They consistently have deep rosters that allow them to plug and play with their lineups and rotation when needed. You add Dave Roberts, one of the best managers in the game, to this, and you have a franchise about as dominant as they come. 

While some critics point to their struggles in October—several deep playoff runs that ended in heartbreak—they’ve still been one of baseball’s most feared teams for decades. With a roster still loaded with talent, their championship window remains wide open.

#4 San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs might not be the flashiest team, but their sustained excellence over the past 25 years is undeniable. With 166 franchise points stemming from 4 NBA championships and 19 straight years of winning seasons, they’ve been a model of consistency in professional sports.

Led by Gregg Popovich, one of the greatest coaches in NBA history, the Spurs built a dynasty on discipline, teamwork, and player development. The trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili became the foundation of their success, executing the Spurs’ trademark unselfish style of basketball to perfection.

What makes the Spurs even more impressive is how they have managed to transition from one era to the next. After Duncan retired in 2016, they remained competitive behind Kawhi Leonard, and even as they’ve struggled in recent years, the arrival of Victor Wembanyama signals a potential resurgence.

Though they’ve fallen on hard times lately, the Spurs’ sustained excellence throughout the 21st century cements them as one of the greatest franchises in American sports. And while Pop’s future with the team is in question (get better soon, coach), having Wemby as their franchise cornerstone will likely allow them to climb back into contention soon.

#3 Los Angeles Lakers 

The Los Angeles Lakers are the definition of a marquee franchise, and their 21st-century resume only reinforces their place among sports royalty. With 173 franchise points, the Lake Show has remained a dominant force in basketball.

The century started with Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant leading the Lakers to a three-peat (2000–2002), cementing their dynasty status. After Shaq’s departure, Kobe carried the franchise back to the top, winning back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Then came the LeBron James era, with the King delivering another championship in 2020 inside the NBA bubble.

Of course, the Lakers have had their down years, including a rough stretch in the mid-2010s, but their ability to bounce back into contention separates them from the rest. The Lakers always seem to find a way back to the top, whether through homegrown talent, blockbuster trades, or landing superstar free agents.

With LeBron still playing at an elite level and Luka Doncic now representing the team’s future, the Lakers are still in the mix. And knowing their history, adding another championship banner soon wouldn’t be much of a surprise.

#2 New York Yankees 

As a Mets fan, it kills me to put the New York Yankees this high on the list. But facts are facts, and with 185 franchise points and never having a losing season this century, they’ve earned their spot.

The early 2000s saw the Yankees finish their late-’90s dynasty with a championship in 2000 (yes, against my Mets—it still hurts). They stayed competitive throughout the decade, finally breaking through again in 2009 with a dominant run led by Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia, and Mariano Rivera. Since then, they’ve remained a fixture in October, but that 28th championship has eluded them.

For all their regular-season success, the Yankees’ lack of titles in the last decade-plus has been a sore spot for fans. The team has consistently run into postseason roadblocks (usually the Astros), and despite throwing boatloads of money at the problem, they haven’t quite put it all together.

Still, they’re the Yankees—one of the most successful franchises in sports history. And with Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, and a fanbase that expects nothing less than a championship, they’ll always be a threat to add to their collection of rings.

#1 New England Patriots  

Love or hate them, the New England Patriots are, without question, the most dominant American sports franchise of the 21st century. With an absurd 218 franchise points and an unmatched six championships, their reign under Bill Belichick and Tom Brady is the definition of a dynasty.

The numbers alone tell the story. From 2001 to 2019, the Patriots were a machine, making nine Super Bowl appearances and winning six, with their signature mix of clutch performances, ruthless efficiency, and soul-crushing dominance over the AFC East. The Brady-Belichick duo rewrote the record books, and even as Brady aged, he somehow kept getting better, leading the team to three titles in the last six seasons of his tenure (Super Bowl LI’s 28-3 comeback remains one of the most ridiculous moments in sports history).

Even though they have struggled in the post-Brady era, no franchise has had a more successful 25-year stretch in American sports. They turned undrafted free agents into Pro Bowlers, practice squad guys into Super Bowl heroes, and second-string quarterbacks into trade bait for first-round picks.

Whether you loved watching them dominate or spent two decades praying for their downfall, there’s no denying their place at the top. The Patriots didn’t just win—they defined the 21st-century NFL.

Thanks for reading, and let me know in the comments what team’s you were surprised to see not make the list!