What makes franchises great? There can be many reasons: great ownership, fantastic front-office employees, luck in the draft, number of playoff appearances, or dominating their league.
#25 Colorado Avalanche/New Orleans Saints
It is tough to leave either of these franchises off the list. They are both deserving and have had equal success this century. The Avalanche have 14 playoff appearances and won their only Stanley Cup appearance. The organization is currently one of the best in the NHL. The Saints are years removed from their successful run but made nine playoff appearances and won their only Super Bowl appearance.
#24 Philadelphia Phillies
On-and-off consistency has seen the Phillies make eight playoff appearances. They reached the World Series three times while winning one.
#23 Atlanta Braves
Atlanta is one of the best-run organizations. Always competitive, the Braves have reached the playoffs 15 times and won their only World Series appearance.
#22 Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is not only the best small-market franchise but one of the best-run franchises in the four major North American professional sports leagues. The Packers have reached the playoffs 18 times while winning their sole Super Bowl appearance.
#21 San Francisco Giants
The Giants may not have the playoff track record of other organizations, but they had a stretch where they were one of the most dominant teams in MLB. Over the span, they made the playoffs seven times and won the World Series three out of their four appearances.
#20 New York Giants
The Giants’ run in the 21st Century saw the team reach the playoffs eight times. The team has appeared in three Super Bowls while winning two.
#19 Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are a well-run organization and one of the most consistent with success. They’ve reached the playoffs 15 times but appeared and won in only one Super Bowl.
#18 Indianapolis Colts
The Colts reached the playoffs 14 times while winning one of their two Super Bowl appearances. Peyton Manning put the Colts on the map. Andrew Luck looked to be the apparent heir to Manning, but his early retirement has seen the Colts struggle to find a franchise quarterback.
#17 Detroit Red Wings
Detroit has failed to reach the postseason since the 2015-2016 season. Since 2001, the Red Wings have made 14 playoffs and won two of their three Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
#16 New York Yankees
Yearly success is difficult, and reaching the World Series is no easy task. The Yankees have made 19 playoff appearances while winning one World Series in four chances.
#15 Houston Astros
Other teams have reached the postseason more than Houston’s 12 appearances, but they reached five World Series while winning two.
#14 Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks glory days are in the review mirror, but the organization hopes Connor Bedard will become the face of the NHL while making the team relevant. The Blackhawks reached the playoffs 11 times while winning their three Stanley Cup Finals.
#13 Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox have seen great success this century, making 11 playoff appearances and winning all four of their World Series appearances.
#12 St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals always field a competitive team and are one of the best-run organizations. They’ve reached the playoffs 15 times while winning two of their four World Series appearances.
#11 Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are ready to become the next dynasty. Ownership has done what it takes to put one of the best teams on the field and is set up for the foreseeable future. Los Angeles has reached the playoffs 16 times while winning two World Series in four appearances.
#10 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are the definition of a consistent organization. They are always in the playoff hunt by season’s end, and this has led to reaching the playoffs 16 times and winning two of three Super Bowl appearances.
#9 Golden State Warriors
After years of mediocrity, the Warriors became the darling of the NBA from 2014-2022. They’ve reached the twilight of their golden years but made 10 playoffs and won four NBA Finals in six appearances.
#8 Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are one of the most overlooked franchises in the four major North American professional sports leagues. Since 2001, Tampa Bay has reached the playoffs 15 times while winning three Stanley Cup Finals in five chances.
#7 Miami Heat
Pat Riley single-handedly changed the shape of Miami’s franchise. As head coach and president, the Riley-led Heat have made 17 playoff appearances while winning three NBA Finals in seven appearances.
#6 Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has been a well-run organization, but drafting Patrick Mahomes changed the organization’s trajectory. They are now a perennial Super Bowl contender. Since 2001, Kansas City has reached the playoffs 13 times while winning three of four Super Bowl appearances.
#5 Boston Celtics
Of this list of 25 teams, the Celtics have the highest number of playoff appearances with 20. They’ve won two of their four NBA Finals.
#4 San Antonio Spurs
From the 2001-2002 season through the 2018-2019 season, the Spurs never missed the playoffs. San Antonio has rebuilt their roster and is ready to become a perennial playoff team. Since 2001, the Spurs have made 18 playoff appearances while winning four of five NBA Finals.
#3 Pittsburgh Penguins
One of the most successful teams of this century, the Penguins reached the playoffs 16 times while winning three Stanley Cup Finals in four appearances.
#2 Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been one of the most successful teams in the history of the NBA. Their 17 championships are second to Boston’s 18. This century has seen the Lakers make 15 postseason appearances while winning four of six NBA Finals.
#1 New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are by far the top franchise of this century. In 18 playoff appearances, they reached the Super Bowl nine times while winning six.