The 7 Most Successful Sports Teams In the History of Florida
Florida is among the biggest sports states in America, raking in double-digit million dollars in revenue. The sunshine state hosts some of the wealthiest sports teams, well-known athletes, and the biggest stadiums in the US.
This article features Florida’s seven most successful sports franchises from the hundreds of teams available in the state for punters to wager on. Besides wagering on these teams, you can play other casino games using a no deposit casino bonus from leading bookies online.
- Miami Heat
Founded: 1988
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA
Miami Heat is Florida’s most popular team and one of the most successful basketball franchises in the NBA. The Heat joined the NBA during the 1988/1989 season, but it wasn’t until Coach Pat Riley took over as the team’s president during the 90s that it became a playoff contender.
The Heat secured its first NBA championship title with Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade in 2006, with Lebron James, Chris Bosh, and Wade creating the “Big Three” four years later. The three went ahead to lead the Heat to four consecutive NBA finals, winning the title in 2012 and 2013. Today, the team has an estimated net worth of a whopping $2.3 billion.
2. Orlando Magic
Founded: 1989
Sport: Basketball
League: NBA
A team in the Eastern Conference of the NBA’s Southern Division, Orlando Magic is the second most successful sports franchise of the four expansion teams that joined the NBA in 1989. The Amway Center hosts all home games for the Magic, who have managed to win two conference titles since its launch in 1989.
As of 2021, the Devos Family-owned franchise had an estimated net worth of $1.64 billion, with player expenses totaling $110 million. The team has participated in the NBA playoffs 16 times in the 32 seasons played, reaching the finals in 2009 and 1995.
3. Miami Dolphins
Founded: 1965
Sport: Football
League: NFL
The Miami Dolphins are the NFL’s most popular team in Florida and the oldest professional sports franchise in the state. The team competes in the AFC (American Football Conference) of the East Division, playing their home games in the Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins have secured two Super Bowl titles, five conference championships, and 13 division titles. Today, this NFL team has an estimated net worth of $3.42 billion, with the player expenses totaling $227 million and accounting for gate receipts of around $16 million.
4. Florida Gators
Founded: 1906
Sport: College Football
League: NCAA
The Florida Gators participated in their first football league game in 1906. Today, the Gators compete in the SEC’s Eastern Division and the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) of the NCAA, with the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium hosting their home games.
Throughout the years, the Gators have participated in 112 seasons, winning eight SEC titles and three national championships. The team currently has a net worth of $93 million, with their football revenue totaling $74 million.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Founded: 1974
Sport: Football
League: NFL
Launched in 1974, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an NFL team competing in the South Division. The Buccaneers joined the league as an expansion team alongside the Seattle Seahawks and played in the West Division’s AFC before switching conferences with Seattle. However, it wasn’t until the league’s realignment in 2002 that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the new South Division.
Since 1998, the Raymond James Stadium has hosted the home games for the Buccaneers, who clichéd their only Super Bowl title during the 2002 season. However, this successful sports franchise had an estimated value of $2.94 billion by the end of 2021.
6. Tampa Bay Rays
Founded: 1993
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
The Tampa Bay Rays are the biggest baseball team in Florida playing in MLB’s American League East Division. This team was originally called the Devil Rays before they changed the name to the Tampa Bay Rays after the 2007 season.
The team hosts their home matches at Tropicana Field, with the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox being their bitter rivals. Unfortunately, the Rays haven’t won any World Series titles despite clinching one AL Pennant and two division titles. The franchise has an estimated value of $1.055 billion today and it’s continually growing every year.
7. Miami Marlins
Founded: 1993
Sport: Baseball
League: MLB
Established in 1993, the Miami Marlins is an MLB team competing in the East division of the national league and have been hosting their home games at Marlins Park since 2012. The franchise started playing in the MLB as the Florida Marlins, sharing the Joe Robbie Stadium with the NFL team the Miami Dolphins for their home games.
The Marlins have an estimated value of $980 million and they have qualified for three postseason matches, but only won the World Series in their first two runs. However, the Marlins have never claimed a division title.
