The top 5 professional team sports in the US are the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS. The popularity of these 5 sports has grown every year and the advent of cable TV, the Pay Per View model means that these 5 sports are the most watched in the US These are the richest professional team sports in the US With male and female leagues. Financially, these leagues and their players enjoy massive success through sponsorships, advertisements, and ticket sales.
Major League Baseball / MLB Popularity
Major League Baseball started in 1903. MLB’s All-Star games attract the majority of the audience in the US, where players are selected by fan vote. Babe Ruth, Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Dimaggio are the most popular players. The New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees are popular MLB teams.
Popularity of the National Basketball Association / NBA
The National Basketball Association was established in 1946. All-star games are the biggest attraction each year, where players are selected by fan vote. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Larry Bird are the most popular league players. Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks are popular NBA teams.
National Football League / NFL Popularity
The National Football League was founded in 1920 as a version of rugby in which players participate in protective gear to avoid injury. The NFL Super Bowl is the most watched annual event on television. Tom Brady, Reggie White, Don Hutson, Joe Montana, Aaron Rogers, Tony Romo, Calvin Johnson are the most popular league players. Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, are popular NFL teams.
National Hockey League / NHL Popularity
The National Hockey League is ice hockey; one of the fastest sports in the world. The NHL All-Star game is the most popular in the US Bobby Hull, Rick Martin, Bill Cowley, Michel Goulet, Alexander Ovechkin are the most popular league players. New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings are popular NHL teams.
Major League Soccer / MLS Popularity
Major League Soccer (MLS) that started in 1994 is nothing but soccer. MLS All Stars is the most popular game seen by people. David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Didier Drogba, Kaka, David Villa are the most popular league players. New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, Sporting Kansas City are popular MLS teams.
City rivalry is what defines these professional team sports in the US These leagues do not have a relegation / promotion policy and the teams play each other year-round.
