Miserable in Seattle

Feeling optimistic? Forbes.com just revealed its list of America’s most miserable sports cities and Seattle is at the top.

Citing a lack of championships and a departed franchise, Tom Van Riper says Seattle is the most miserable city in the country for sports fans. To make this even more depressing, Seattle tops the list for the second consecutive year.

The Sonics left for Oklahoma City and disgruntled followers in Seattle have watched Kevin Durant develop into a star. Basketball fans are hopeful a professional team will return, but the original Supersonics can never be replaced.

The Mariners haven’t made the playoffs in nearly a decade and only have four postseason appearances in their history. Despite winning 116 games in 2001, the Mariners have failed to ever make it to a World Series. And if you’ve watched the Mariners play this season, it is difficult to remain optimistic.

The Seahawks have posted a 9-23 record the past two seasons; despite five consecutive postseason appearances and a trip to Super Bowl XL, they have never won a championship for Seattle. Pete Carroll and an exciting new regime offer hope, but the Seahawks are definitely a team trying to rebuild.

Surprisingly, the article does not mention Sounders FC, Seattle’s newest MLS franchise. Devoted fans routinely fill Qwest Field to watch them play – the club set an MLS record for average attendance at 30,943 fans per game in their inaugural season. In addition to faithful fans, Sounders FC also became only the second MLS expansion team in league history to win the U.S. Open Cup tournament.

Professional sports in Seattle have not been remarkable, but I’m not sure the city deserves to be called the most miserable in the country for two consecutive years.

The past few years have been depressing and Seattle is well overdue for a championship, but there isn’t at least one city around the country worse-off than we are?

Forbes.com‘s justification:

"No. 1 SeattleTeams: Mariners, Seahawks, SonicsChampionship round losses: 3Semifinal round losses: 7Total seasons/championships: 109/1Years since last title: 31Teams lost: SonicsWe’re not counting the one-year run of baseball’s Seattle Pilots, who split for Milwaukee in 1970 in an essentially pre-arranged deal. The city is still looking for its first MLB and NFL titles, while having to endure the sight of young NBA superstar Kevin Durant do his thing in Oklahoma City, which lured the Sonics with a sweet arena deal two years ago."

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
Follow 12th Man Rising