Winning a championship is a wonderful thing. I had to wait 25 years for my first, but then I got two more Eagles titles after that Phillies one. Not as good, but still pretty cool, in my lifetime the Phillies have been to 4 World Series, the Eagles to 4 Super Bowls, the Flyers to 4 Stanley Cups, and Sixers a single Finals back in 2001. Imagine not having any of that? For 13 teams, that’s a reality, and more than just during my 42 years. Here are the biggest streaks…
- Seattle Kraken – 5 years
- Founded: 2021
- This one isn’t really fair. Seattle started as a legitimate expansion team just 5 seasons ago and are by far the flimsiest entrant on this list. Seattle is even still in the honeymoon phase with hockey, at least until they eventually get their Sonics back.
- New Orleans Pelicans/Hornets – 24 years
- Founded: 2002
- So there was apparently a deal with the NBA where Charlotte kept its Charlotte history from the original Hornets through the Bobcats and then to the return of the Hornets name to its birthplace. That means the current Pelicans run of futility begins just in 2002. In that time, their best run was doomed in that it was captained by Chris Paul, the human embodiment of this list. They have never made it past the 2nd round.
- Houston Texans – 24 years
- Founded: 2002
- Despite only being around for 23 seasons, the Texans have had some great players and some solid regular seasons. The playoffs though? Yikes. They have not only never been to a Super Bowl, but they have also never made it to a Conference Championship.
- Minnesota Wild – 25 years
- Founded: 2000
- The Wild are still playing as I write this and have made a huge talent investment over the past few seasons but their best ever season happened over 20 years ago. In just their 3rd season they made the Western Conference Finals but were swept by the Ducks.
- Colombus Blue Jackets – 26 years
- Founded: 2000
- Maybe the second most inept team on the list. In their entire history, they have never been good. Their best regular season finish in their division has been 3rd place and they have never made it out of the 2nd round of the playoffs. They have made the playoffs just 6 times but not since 2020.
- Winnipeg Jets/Atlanta Thrashers – 27 years
- Founded: 1999
- The Atlanta Thrashers were VERY bad, making just one playoff appearance in 12 seasons. Once they got their Jets groove back in Winnipeg though, they have been respectable, even picking up a Conference Finals loss in 2018. That’s as far as they’ve been though.
- Memphis/Vancouver Grizzlies – 31 years
- Founded: 1995
- 6 years in Canada only yielded a single season that wasn’t in last place. Things have been better since moving to Memphis with regular playoff appearances. In 2013, they made a Conference Finals, but that was all.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – 31 years
- Founded: 1995
- The Jags had two great chances and blew both of them. In 1999, the team went 14-2 in the regular season with both losses coming against the Tennessee Titans. Who did they face in the AFC Championship? The Titans. Third time was not the charm. In 2017, they were up 20-10 in the 4th quarter of the AFC Championship but lost to the Patriots.
- Minnesota Timberwolves – 36 years
- Founded: 1989
- The Wolves didn’t make the playoffs their first 7 years. Then they didn’t make it out of the first round over their next 7. Their biggest run of success though has been recently with Anthony Edwards. Though they did knock of the reigning champs and then-favorites (Nuggets) two years ago, both the previous two seasons have ended in the Western Conference Finals. They are still alive in the current playoffs.
- Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats – 38 years
- Founded: 1988
- The Charlotte Hornets were an up and coming franchise for several years, but sold off all their good talent and personalities in a matter of 18 months. Soon the owner alienated the fanbase, the team essentially folded and was bought by the NBA before moving to New Orleans. At that point, the NBA was determined to get the NBA back to Charlotte (for some reason) and allowed the territory to keep its history. The Bobcats were formed and eventually rebranded back to the Hornets. No success. Charlotte has never made it out of the 2nd round and hasn’t been out of the 1st in nearly 25 years.
- Utah Mammoth/Arizona Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets – 47 years (or just 2)
- Founded: 1979…or 2024
- Yikes, not only has this team been forever bad, but they’ve moved twice already. Technically this is a Charlotte situation as the NHL plans on returning to Phoenix at some point, but until then, the bones of the Jets and Coyotes are playing in Utah, though they are technically an expansion team. The Jets were actually pretty successful, but landed in a tough exchange rate at the time that saw several Canadian teams leave for greener southern grass. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t realize there is no grass in Arizona. They had one conference finals appearance in 2012, then only 1 more playoff appearance over the next 12 years. Finance difficulties and a shitty owner eventually doomed the team.
- Seattle Mariners – 48 years
- Founded: 1977
- How does a team with some of the greatest and most iconic players of all time who also holds the single season victory record not make it to the World Series even once? The problem is that the 116 win team is the only time they cracked 100 wins. Hell, 93 wins is their next best. As for the talent, maybe they got the best years out of Griffey and Ichiro, but Randy Johnson and A-Rod became two of the greatest players ever elsewhere. They currently have an ace pitching staff, but a weaker than expected lineup and lost last year’s ALCS in 7 games.
- LA/ San Diego Clippers/Buffalo Braves – 56 years
- Founded: 1970
- Was there ever any doubt? The Clippers have been a shit show for their entire existence. It took 43 years for the franchise to even win its division. Things have been better over the last decade and since their racist owner was ousted, but the taint that is the other LA basketball team may never leave. Their one conference finals appearance was in 2021, losing to the Phoenix Suns in 6 games. Another Chris Paul team.
Who Are We Missing?
I see you Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions fans. I almost put you in here too. The problem is that both of you have multiple NFL Championships. Do those count? I think they have to. The Lions were founded in 1930 and the Browns in 1946. They last won championships in 1957 (Lions) and 1964 (Browns). For the purposes of this list, how could I say that they haven’t won a championship since the 30s when they absolutely have.
No Super Bowls, now that’s a different story. If you want to start the clock at 1966, then both would lead the list with going on 60 years with no appearances and no wins.
It’s a toss up over who has had it worst. Cleveland actually lost their franchise when the team moved to Baltimore. In a deal similar to what happened with the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland got to keep their history. Meanwhile, the technically expansion Ravens almost immediately won a Super Bowl in Baltimore and have been one of the better franchises in sports for their entire existence.
The Lions very recently blew a great chance to go to the Big Game when they squandered a big lead to the 49ers in the NFC Championship. That and 1991 were the only years they went to the NFC Championship in the Super Bowl era. The Browns were at least a budding power in the late 80s, but a run of horrendous luck kept them from playing for a title. The Lions have simply never been very good until recently. That being said, since their return, the Browns have a good argument to be the worst organization in North American sport.
Friday Fun (late): MLB Without Relocation AL Edition
Only 2 American League teams have never moved and never changed their names
Friday Fun (early): MLB Without Relocation NL Edition
Ever wonder where all the National League teams came from? Of course you did!
Friday Fun: Baseball Quotes
Who doesn’t love a good baseball quote? Here are some of the funnier ones.
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Philly Front Office 
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