6. Los Angeles & vicinity, CA
Pro Teams: Rams 1946-94 (NFL), Dodgers 1958-present (MLB), Lakers 1960-present (NBA),Chargers 1960 (AFL), Angels of Anaheim 1961-present (MLB),Kings 1967-present (NHL),Stars 1967-70 (ABA), Sharks 1972-74 (WHA),Raiders 1982-94 (NFL), Clippers 1984-present (NBA), Anaheim Ducks 1993-present (NHL)
Championships: 20 (1) Rams (1951), (5)Dodgers (1959,1963,1965,1981,1988), (11)Lakers (1972,1980,1982,1985,1987,1988,2000-02,2009,2010), (1) Raiders (1983), (1) Angels (2002), (1) Ducks (2007)
History: The Rams would arrive in LA, making them the first NFL team based in the pacific time zone. The team would never a win a Super Bowl in its time in Los Angeles or Anaheim, even though they did make an appearance in Super Bowl XVI (Steelers won 31-19). Even though they were a thorn in the side of the 49ers in the 80s, they would eventually fall into obscurity before leaving LA for St. Louis.
While the Dodgers made some ground breaking history in Brooklyn, the Boys in Blue have been much more successful in southern California. Since their arrival, the Dodgers have added another 9 pennants. They've also included 11 division titles and 2 Wild Card berths since.
The Lakers are officially second (according to the NBA)to the Celtics in overall championships with 16. But only 11 belong to LA. At any rate, the Lakers are still in the record books. They are currently in the playoffs looking for a three peat for only the third time in franchise history (2nd in LA).
Even though the Chargers are associated with San Diego, they got their start in sunny Los Angeles. Despite being a contestant in the first AFL title game, they would be the first franchise in the league's history to relocate.
Whether they were called Los Angeles, California, Anaheim or Los Angeles of Anaheim, they will always be the Angels no matter what. Despite not being as successful as the Dodgers, they are the last team in the area to win a World Series. And in recent history, they've been in the thick of many title chases.
The only team named the Kings that will ever gain approval in the City of Angels is the hockey team. While people would only know the Kings as Wayne Gretzky's 2nd team, the team has only missed the postseason 18 times in a 43 year span (excluding 2004-05 strike). The Kings are in the playoffs for the second consecutive season, hoping to make it back to its 2nd Stanley Cup final.
Los Angeles's first and only attempt with the ABA, started with the Anaheim Amigos in the 1967-68. After that, they were the Stars. All the success that came to fruition in Salt Lake City, all started in the City of Angels.
The WHA had a chance to create hockey market in LA with the Sharks. Sadly, they fared just as bad as the ABA's Amigos/Stars and would move away. But instead of going to Utah, the hockey team headed to the Motor City.
The Silver and Black would make a significant impact when they left Oakland in 1982. Raider Nation would bring LA its first and only Super Bowl championships in 1983. While the team made the playoffs 7 times during their stay, they would leave LA heartbroken and return to the Bay Area.
Los Angeles would get their second basketball team when the Clippers left San Diego in 1984. Even though the Clippers have been here longer than any of their previous stays in Buffalo and San Diego (13 seasons combined), they still haven't made any significant breakthrough since arriving.
Whenever people think of the Ducks in hockey, some might be lead to believe that it's the Disney series "The Mighty Ducks". And while there is some truth to that (Disney used to own the franchise), we're talking about the NHL and not the fictional junior team. As of right now, they are in the playoffs in hopes of making the Stanley Cup Finals for the 3rd time (lost to the Devils in 7 in 2003).
Interesting facts: Disneyland is located in Anaheim. UCLA and USC are an intense rivalry in the soon to be Pac-12 conference. The Los Angeles Coliseum is the only stadium to host two summer Olympics (1932 and 1984).
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