Since the beginning of time, sports fans have been jumping from bandwagon to bandwagon, accumulating more proverbial splinters from each one along the way. Occasionally, a fan will jump onto the same bandwagon numerous times in their life, and in an even rarer occurrence, fans will go from being a bandwagon fan to a die-hard supporter of a specific team. This got me to thinking: which teams have been subject to bandwagon jumping most often in recent memory? So I compiled a list of the top 5 bandwagon teams, as well as the worst 5 bandwagon teams.

My criteria for inclusion on the top 5 bandwagon team list was that the bandwagon jumping had to have occurred recently enough that the average fan of 21 years or older will have at least some memory of it. So here it is; the top 5 bandwagon teams.

5.  Green Bay Packers

 4. Chicago Bulls

A successful team will almost always garner a following of new (and usually temporary) fans, and the Chicago Bulls were no exception. Although many fans (including myself) will claim to have been fans of Michael Jordan and not so much the Bulls, the fact is that only the most loyal fans have followed the Bulls closely in the decade plus since Jordan's second retirement following a sixth NBA title. Not only was the likeable Jordan on the team, but another attention-grabbing force in Dennis Rodman was present for the 2nd string of titles. Rodman demanded attention not only by his on-court presence, but his off-court antics.The Bulls are looking to regain fans after a tough first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics this summer and Derrick Rose looking to be a superstar in the league for the next decade.

 

3. New England Patriots

Although the Patriots now have one of the biggest followings in sports, it wasn't always so. Although the Boston faithful rooted for the team, only a true NFL fan knew much about the Patriots even after a Super Bowl XXXI appearance (which they lost to the afforementioned Packers team). After the Patriots surprised the sports world by beating a heavily favored Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, they garnered some attention. Then, after winning two more titles, the team had not only fans from the Boston area, but from around the country who either loved or hated the team. They are among the most hated teams in the NFL after the video-taping scandal that was revealed in 2007, but also have one of the largest fanbases to go along with it. With a competitive lineup each and every season, this team will maintain a bandwagon for the forseeable future.

 

2. New York Yankees

The Yankees have, and always will be, one of the biggest bandwagon franchises in sports. They always sign the big names, and therefore always draw in the casual fan. Walk into any sports apparel store, regardless of location (except maybe Boston), and you'll find Yankees gear all over the place. Even LeBron James is a "die-hard" Yankees fan. They were kings of baseball in the 1990's, and continually expect to compete for a division title. With the most recognizable face in baseball, Alex Rodriguez, the team looks to string together more championships in the near future. With it will come a larger round of bandwagon fans. One could argue that if not for losing a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox in 2004, the baseball bandwagon layout would look much differently today. That brings me to the top team on this list.

1. Boston Red Sox

Only the most loyal Sox fans were around prior to that series victory against the Yankees in 2004. After that win and taking out the Cardinals in the World Series, a brand-new set of bandwagon fans appeared out of the blue, donning Red Sox hats and claiming to have been a fan their "entire life", which really meant since the Sox won their first World Series. They even named the bandwagon. They call it "Sox Nation", and it annoys those of us who are either really lifetime fans of the Sox or have stayed loyal to whatever team we follow. So next time you see your buddy who is a former Braves fan wearing a Red Sox hat, just blame it all on a major Yankees collapse in the 2004 ALCS.

Now on to the worst bandwagon teams (or the least bandwagonable teams) in recent memory. These teams can't even properly build a bandwagon, much less get anyone to jump on.

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Where to start with the Pirates? This is a team that hasn't posted a winning record since 1992, and doesn't look to do so in the near future. Always in "rebuilding" mode, many loyal fans firmly believe management doesn't intend to ever win. Even Pirates players question some of the moves the Pirates have made in recent years. Due to being mostly terrible, the Pirates had to be included on this list.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays (formerly the Devil rays) seemed to have success after changing a portion of their name and logo prior to the 2008 season. The young Rays team won the American League East behind players such as rookie Evan Longoria. The team even went to the World Series in 2008, losing out to the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite that fact, and at least playing competitive baseball so far in 2009, the Rays can't seem to fill up a stadium. They have yet to establish any real local fanbase, much less any bandwagon followers.

3. Florida Marlins

The Marlins are hit or miss. They are continually a young team. The reason? When they win a World Series, they sell the farm. The Marlins have claimed two championships (in 1997 and 2003), but the former expansion franchise has been unable to garner a loyal following. During a recent series against the defending World Series champions, the stadium was nearly empty for the day game. Too bad night games don't get much better for the team. The stadium is almost always empty, and even fans of the team have become disgruntled with the management tactic of essentially making the franchsie a farm league for the other teams in majors. I'm sensing a trend with Florida sports franchises. What seems to be going on Florida?

2. Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers don't keep many fans around. Perhaps having something to do with the Lakers sharing the same city, and even arena, this team is pretty much the anti-Lakers. They don't contend for much of anything, and their most recent success in reaching the Western Conference Semi-Finals during the 2005-2006 season has been overshadowed by more poor play, injuries, and losing Elton Brand to the 76ers. The Clippers are looking to rebound from all that starting this season after acquiring Blake Griffin with the top pick in the NBA draft, who has looked fairly promising in summer league games to this point. Fans for this team are in the minority, and the bandwagon at the Staples Center belongs to the Lakers, not the Clippers.

1. Detroit Lions

There is no reason to root for this team. The Lions just can't seem to do anything right. Many receivers have seen their career disappear into the ashes by playing for the Lions, and Joey Harrington is still seen trying to find his confidence he lost while playing in Detroit. Even loyal fans to the franchise wore paper bags on their heads to home games last season while the team was gaining the dubious distinction of an 0-16 campaign. The slightest hope of success still hinges on Barry Sanders un-retiring and suiting up once again for the team. Sanders himself couldn't handle Detroit, as he decided it would be better to retire than to continue playing for the Lions. Detroit may be called the "Motor City", but you certainly won't find any Ford models that look like a bandwagon around.

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