Lightning Named Best Franchise In NHL, Third-Best In Pro Sports By ESPN Magazine

TBLBanner outside Tarra

For the last 13 years ESPN the Magazine has polled fans across North America to come up with their Ultimate Ranking. This list rates and ranks all 122 sports franchises across the four professional leagues.  The Tampa Bay Lightning have been rated as the best NHL franchise and the 3rd best in pro sports based on the 2015 findings.

To finalize the list ESPN looks at several factors: affordability, coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience, title track and bang for the buck.

The Bolts moved up three places from last year. ESPN may not be known for talking hockey but Jeff Vinik and Co. have made it hard to ignore Tampa’s hockey team.

You can ready what the magazine had to say about the Lightning here.

(Photos by/ Tarra Dunlop)

Follow me on Twitter @alexis_B82 and please “like” LightningShout on Facebook. You can email us at [email protected].

 

Arrow to top