TAMPA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ex-NHL head coach Phil Esposito speaks during the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion rally on September 30, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
The most popular debate style in all sports is to rank teams, players, moments, etc. Following suit, we compared all of the expansion franchises across all major North American sports leagues since the Tampa Bay Lightning entered the NHL.
Growth and expansion in sports are essential. Expanding a league by adding another team hones in on two factors, the success of the current brand is large enough to warrant a need for another team and longevity.