Massachusetts is well-known for its sports landscape. The state has a rich history in both professional and collegiate sports. In professional sports, the Boston Red Sox are among the most popular teams in all of baseball. Other teams in Massachusetts include the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Boston Celtics of the NBA, and the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS). Meanwhile, colleges in Massachusetts feature some of the nation’s top Division I athletic programs. These schools include Harvard University, MIT, and Dartmouth College. Additionally, Massachusettes is home to several Olympic training centers, including UMass Amherst and William & Mary College. This article presents the six most valuable sports teams in the Bay States and some relevant statistics.
1. New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have won a number of Super Bowls and are one of the best-liked teams in the NFL. The team has many loyal fans and a rich tradition and history.
It was founded in 1959 and now has 17 conference championships and six Super Bowls under its belt. Among its legendary players are Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.
The team has appeared in six wild-card games and 13 divisional playoff games. They have achieved this success with three different quarterbacks: Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady, and Matt Cassel. Bill Belichick, their head coach, is considered one of the best in the history of American football.
Although Tom Brady no longer plays for the team, they still sell out the stadium. They haven’t been off to the best start at the time of writing, but their loyal fans don’t lose hope easily. QB Mac Jones is still a fan favorite. Many users of local platforms like BetMGM Massachusetts concur and keep their fingers crossed for the team.
Currently, the Patriots are worth $6.4 billion, which makes them the second-most valuable American team after the Dallas Cowboys.
2. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox is a pro baseball team in Major League Baseball (MLB). They have won nine World Series, played in 13, and tied for the third-highest number in MLB. The team is over a century old, having been founded back in 1901.
Fenway Park, where they still play their home games, opened in 1912. It has icon status and makes history as the oldest ballpark in MLB. According to recent data, the Boston Red Sox is the 30th most valuable American team, worth $3.9 billion.
3. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have won 17 NBA championships, including eight consecutive ones between 1959 and 1966. Among the big names they have produced are Larry Bird, Bill Russell, and Kevin Garnett. They are performing strong today under the leadership of Kyrie Irving, the All-Star point guard.
In the Celtics’ 71-year history, they have reached the playoffs an impressive 46 times. Their winning percentage is .587. They have appeared in 21 finals, more than any other basketball team in American history. The Celtics are currently worth $3.55 billion.
4. The Boston Bruins
The Bruins are a pro ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They are the third-oldest NHL team, founded in 1924. They are also the oldest US-based NHL team, one of the original six alongside the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers.
The Bruins have won the Stanley Cup six times, tying for the fourth-most with the Blackhawks. The Matthews Arena was the first facility to host the team’s home games. Previously called the Boston Arena, it is the oldest indoor ice hockey stadium still being used, built back in 1909–10. The team is currently worth $1.3 billion.
5. The New England Revolution
Last but not least, this Major League Soccer (MLS) team is based in the Greater Boston area and competes in the league’s Eastern Conference. Its name comes from the region’s key involvement in the American Revolution in the 18th century.
The team plays home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, about 20 miles away from Boston. Their first major win was the US Open Cup in 2007. In 2008, they won the North American SuperLiga. The franchise value was $245 million in 2019, according to Forbes Magazine.
6. Worcester Railers
The Worcester Railers are one of only two professional baseball teams in Massachusetts, the other being the Boston Red Sox’s Class A Short Season affiliate, the Lowell Spinners. As part of their affiliation with Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox organization, the Railers receive financial support and technical assistance from MLB staff. This relationship has helped make the Railers one of the most successful minor league teams in America.
In 2018, the Railers finished first in their division and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They defeated both Reading Phillies (the team who finished second) and Vermont Lake Monsters (the team who finished third) en route to their first NECBL Championship. In the Divisional Championship, they were matched up against reigning champions Springfield Cardinals but lost 3-2 in 11 innings (although they did hit three home runs during that game).
Since 2004, when they moved from Fitchburg to Worcester and became known as the Worcester Sharks, the Railers have never had a season with less than 70 games played. In 2018 they played 71 games between April and September; this was also a franchise record for most games played during a season.
Sports are a big part of life in Massachusetts. Whether you’re a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, or Bruins, there’s a sport for you to enjoy. The state is also home to some of the best college sports programs in the country, with teams like Boston University, MIT, and Harvard competing at the highest level. So whether you’re looking for something physical to do on a weekend morning or want to support your favorite team during weekday games, Massachusetts has everything you need and more.
