Ranking the 30 best sports cities in America for 2016

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Jun 22, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Fans walk on the Hope Memorial Bridge after the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship parade in downtown Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Cleveland, Ohio

Despite a decades-long title drought, Cleveland has always been a great sports city, with a fan base strong and loyal enough to weather some of the most heartbreaking moments in sports history.

But after LeBron James and the Cavaliers pulled off a historic upset, coming back from down 3-1 to overtake the 73-win Golden State Warriors in an epic Game 7 and capture Cleveland’s first championship in 52 years, it’s safe to say the city’s sports faithful can rest a little easier — at least for a while. Thanks to their fairy-tale title, the Cavs vaulted their city even higher in the Best Sports City rankings.

The Indians, meanwhile, have emerged as one of the top teams in baseball. Despite a title drought dating back all the way to 1948, the Indians had a string of great runs in the 90’s, all of which ended in heartbreak. Now, with one of the best pitching rotations in the game, The Tribe are poised to perhaps follow in the footsteps of their basketball brethren.

As for the Browns, it’s impossible to overstate how enormous a competitive football team would be for the psyche of the city.

This is one city where the battle scares more than earned the glory.

Next: 8. Detroit