Feb 8, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Confetti falls as (From right-left) Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Eagles back-up quarterback Nate Sudfeld, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie ride a float during the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII victory parade at 16th Street and Ben Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaChall/Courier-Post via USA TODAY NETWORK
Predicting which sports franchises will dominate over the next 50 years is certainly a difficult but fun task. So much can change over that amount of time, but that’s also what makes these types of predictions so entertaining for sports fans.
**DraftKings recently took a shot at identifying the five best franchises**in each of the four major sports leagues for the next half-century. Some of the selections are easy to understand, while others are sure to spark plenty of debate.
NFL
Sep 5, 2024; Sao Paolo, Brazil; Workers paint the Philadelphia Eagles logo in thee end zone prior to the 2024 NFL Sao Paolo game at Neo Química Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Eagles taking the top spot is an interesting choice, but Philadelphia has plenty going for it. The organization has consistently built competitive rosters and has established itself as one of the NFL’s better-run franchises.
The Chiefs at No. 2 are another obvious selection after becoming one of the league’s dominant teams over the past decade. The Ravens, 49ers, and Packers round out the list, giving the NFL five franchises with strong histories of sustained success.
MLB
Apr 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Los Angeles Dodgers logo in the outfield pavilion at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Dodgers and Yankees sitting at the top of the MLB rankings shouldn’t surprise anyone. Both franchises have enormous resources, massive fan bases, and long histories of success.
The Braves are another organization that has consistently demonstrated an ability to develop talent and build competitive teams. The Mets and Red Sox round out the list, with both teams having the financial resources and market size to remain major players for decades.
NBA
Mar 5, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics logo is seen on the court before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
The Celtics and Lakers are two of the most iconic franchises in NBA history, making their inclusion near the top fairly easy to understand.
The Thunder at No. 3 is perhaps the most interesting selection. Oklahoma City has built an impressive reputation for acquiring and developing young talent, while the Spurs have one of the strongest organizational histories in the league.
Golden State rounds out the top five after establishing itself as one of the NBA’s defining franchises of the modern era.
NHL
Oct 11, 2018; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Logo of Montreal Canadiens team on ice as seen during a presentation before an opener game against Los Angeles Kings. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
The Montreal Canadiens are arguably the most surprising No. 1 selection across the four leagues, but their historic success gives them plenty of credibility.
The Avalanche, Stars, Panthers, and Rangers all have reasons to believe they can remain competitive well into the future. Florida’s recent success is particularly interesting, while Colorado has established itself as one of the NHL’s premier organizations.
Final Thoughts
Trying to predict which franchises will be the best over the next 50 years is certainly a difficult task, but it’s also a great conversation starter for sports fans.
Some of these selections feel like relatively safe bets, while others are based heavily on the direction each organization appears to be heading right now. The biggest question is which franchises will continue to develop talent, spend effectively, and build winning cultures over multiple generations.
Obviously, there will be plenty of changes between now and 2076, but that’s what makes this list so much fun to debate.
Which franchises would you have ranked differently?
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