LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, is seen on the field prior to a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. The Cowboys defeated the Commanders 34-26. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)
There are many reasons why a sports team can be “hated” or “disliked.” The biggest reason is obvious: they are a rival of your favorite team. But what makes a franchise hated so universally? Well, for a lot of these teams on this list, it’s their winning and successful ways. For some others, it’s the fans, or it is just simply fun to hate them.
10. San Francisco 49ers
MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
This is a perfect example of how winning and being a great team for a long period of time can make people hate you, even if you haven’t won a championship in over 30 years.
9. Philadelphia Flyers
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 16: A detailed view of the Philadelphia Flyers’ logo seen on a jersey during overtime against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on December 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Philly fans are known to be rowdy, and sometimes that annoys people. The Flyers were also “bullies” back in the day and are still remembered as such.
8. Kansas City Chiefs
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 24: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts before the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on January 24, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Their recent success and conspiracies about the refs cheating for them has made the Chiefs one of the most hated teams in sports.
7. Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 22: Former Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, holds the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy during the NBA Championship Ring ceremony prior to the game against the New York Knicks at TD Garden on October 22, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Winning, winning, winning, oh, and Boston sports fans aren’t exactly beloved by everyone.
6. Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: A team logo is shown above the entrance at the 336,000-square-foot Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center under construction on June 10, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada. The site will serve as the team’s practice facility and will include three outdoor football fields, a 150,000-square-foot field house with one-and-a-half indoor football fields, a three-story office area, and a 50,000-square-foot performance center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Their fans annoy people; it used to be worse, though. If they become good again, the amount of hate will rise.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal portrait, September 20, 2000 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)
Winning makes people hate you, and continuously getting the best players in the league makes them hate you more.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws the ball during the second half in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
They have always been hated, but their recent success has moved them up the list.
3. New England Patriots
New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady (12) as he completes a pass against the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game, 01/19/2002. (Photo by Arthur Anderson/Getty Images)
For about 20 years, I don’t think there was a more hated team in pro sports.
2. New York Yankees
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 29: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees bats the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
They are the most winningest franchise in MLB and although they haven’t won much lately, they are still hated.
1. Dallas Cowboys
Emmitt Smith #22, Running Back for the Dallas Cowboys in motion running the football during the National Football Conference East Division game against the Arizona Cardinals on 13th October 1996 at the Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas, United States. The Dallas Cowboys won the game 17 – 3. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Allsport/Getty Images)
Their success in the 90’s and their fans “ignorance” seems to make people hate them with a passion.
