By Mike Sunnucks
Phoenix Business Journal
Sometimes sports rankings lists turn out as expected. That would be the case of Forbes much cited valuation lists for pro sports franchises.
The likes of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and New England Patriots top the Forbes money lists.
But there are also some lists that provide the unexpected
That’s the case with ESPN The Magazine’s new rankings of the best and worst North American pro sports franchises.
The ESPN rankings aren’t based just on how many banners, pennants or trophies a franchise has won or how many zeroes are in their bank account.
But instead it looks at a host of factors including ticket costs, winning percentage, customer service, coaching, players likability and ownership stability.
The Phoenix Coyotes — who have been owned by the National Hockey League since 2009 and have had an uncertain future in Glendale — come in a surprising sixth overall. That’s sixth among the 122 pro sports teams in the U.S. and Canada.
That’s sixth ahead of the Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Heat and the other three Phoenix sports franchises.
