ATLANTA — With one of the best coaches in the game, an unselfish and likable roster, an average ticket cost of $35.26 (almost $20 lower than the league average) and the likelihood of making a deep run in the playoff, one team made one of the biggest jumps in ESPN's annual professional franchise rankings.
Is it the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won the Super Bowl six times and have one of the most passionate and loyal fan bases in all of sports? Nope, they are ranked 30th.
What about the Bulls, Cubs, White Sox and Bears? After all, Chicago is considered one of the best sports cities in America. Nope.
Could it be America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys? Guess again.
It has to be the Cleveland Cavaliers; after all, they have LeBron James.
No, the Cavs rank 34th, five spots below the Atlanta Hawks, who come in at No. 29 out of 122 franchises.
The Hawks improved 19 spots in the rankings and have cracked the top 30 for the first time ever.
ESPN factored in affordability, coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience, title track and bang for the buck to develop the rankings.
The Hawks were ranked eighth overall among NBA teams, better than the Cavaliers (ninth), Clippers (13th), Celtics (14th), Bulls (17th) and Lakers (26th).
They also blew away their professional competition in the city. The Falcons were 60th overall (14th in the NFL), while the Braves were ranked 82nd (20th in MLB).
The Hawks had the second-best record in the NBA last year, while the Braves had the third-worst record in baseball. Local television viewers paid attention. For the first time ever, the Hawks beat the Braves in local ratings.
And the team atop the ESPN franchise rankings? The one after whom the Hawks strive to model; the San Antonio Spurs.
The Hawks open the regular season Tuesday at home against the Detroit Pistons.