Anaheim Ducks Rank 2nd in ESPN Rankings
By Eddy Jones
ESPN has released their Ultimate Rankings, which includes North American teams from each of the four major sports leagues, and the Anaheim Ducks have placed second only behind the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA.
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The rankings are based on eight specific criteria taken from all 122 teams. First is Affordability, based off of the price of tickets, parking and concessions. The next category is Coaching which focuses on the strength of on-field leadership. Fan relations rounds out the third category with teams being ranked on courtesy by players, coaches and front offices towards fans. Teams are then ranked on Ownership, specifically honesty and loyalty to players and the fans. Players efforts on and off the field as well as their likability in the community is ranked next. Followed by the Stadium experience, rating quality of venue, fan-friendliness and frequency of game-day promotions. The next category is ‘Bang for your buck’ which looks at the teams wins in the past year, per fan dollars. Lastly, ESPN ranked teams on Title track (championships won or expected within the lifetime of current fans).
“They’ve become a blueprint for building a model NHL franchise, on and off the ice. Not bad for a team originally named after a bunch of peewee players from Minnesota”. – Gus Elvin, ESPN The Magazine
The Anaheim Ducks were ranked as the best team in the NHL, sitting three spots above the next highest NHL team, rivals Los Angeles Kings.
ESPN praised the Anaheim Ducks initiatives in creating and funding a 41-team school league and focused on their affordable ticket prices and “no surprise fee” policy as reasons for such a high rating. As well citing that the addition of Ryan Kesler puts them in Stanley Cup contention.
Here are the individual rankings for each category as reported by ESPN.
This year’s ranking: 2
Last year’s ranking: 8
Title track: 12
Ownership: 12
Coaching: 41
Players: 18
Fan relations: 6
Affordability: 7
Stadium experience: 23
Bang for the buck: 2
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