Spurs named second-best sports franchise by ESPN The Magazine

Memphis Grizzlies named top franchise

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs were named Monday the second-best sports franchise by ESPN The Magazine.

The Spurs are the only sports franchise to rank in the top 10 every year since ESPN introduced its Ultimate Standings annual survey in 2003.

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The survey rates teams from the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball on a weighted average of scores in eight areas, including fan relations , affordability, "bang for the buck", stadium experience, players, ownership, title track and coaching. The rankings factor in feedback in 25 categories from more than 60,000 fans nationwide, as well as teams' efficiency in generating on-field performance from fan dollars.

The Spurs ranked first overall in four categories that were part of the judging process to determine the best overall sports franchise: ownership, coaching, fan relations and players.

The Memphis Grizzlies took the top franchise honor while the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder placed third and fourth, respectively. NBA franchises comprised four of the top five teams.


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David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.