Which city has the biggest sports stars?

By Mike Petty
Collegian Staff
February 28, 2007

Just over a month ago, the city of Philadelphia had arguably the strongest contingent of star players on its four major professional sports teams. A cast of Peter Forsberg, Allen Iverson, Ryan Howard and Donovan McNabb was unmatched by any other sports city, as each player was an elite athlete and an elite star in his respective sport.

Now that 50 percent of that cast has left the City of Brotherly Love, this writer set out to find the new star-studded city. For the purposes of this article, the players are not rated on playing ability alone, but are rated on their “star” status as an elite player, a spokesman for the league and sponsors and a star off the field in the public eye. Let the debating begin!

10) Seattle (Ichiro, Ray Allen, Shaun Alexander) It is the only three-sport city to make the list. Ichiro’s international appeal and Alexander’s MVP award and Madden 2007 cover take the three-sport city title.

9) Minnesota (Johan Santana, Marion Gaborik, Kevin Garnett, Chester Taylor) Garnett and Santana’s elite status carry an up-and-coming Gaborik and a relatively unknown Taylor.

8) Washington (Nick Johnson, Alexander Ovechkin, Gilbert Arenas, Clinton Portis) A fast climbing Arenas, superstar Ovechkin and always-interesting Portis are hamstrung by a pathetic Nationals team.

7) Atlanta (Chipper Jones, Ilya Kovalchuk, Josh Smith, Michael Vick) Jones’ status has slipped, but is carried by Vick’s star status and Kovalchuk’s explosive play along with Smith’s dunk contest display.

6) Denver (Todd Helton, Joe Sakic, Allen Iverson, Javon Walker) Philly’s loss is Denver’s gain with Iverson. Sakic and Helton are slipping, and Walker isn’t a big name player in a league full of outspoken wide receivers.

5) Philadelphia (Ryan Howard, Simon Gagne, Andre Iguodala, Donovan McNabb) Falling from the top spot, the city still has McNabb and Howard, who are top-five stars. Iguodala could be replaced by a top-two draft pick, and Gagne could be replaced by a returning Forsberg, which would shoot Philadelphia back into the top spot.

4) Boston (David Ortiz, Glen Murray, Paul Pierce, Tom Brady) Tom Brady sweats star quality, while Big Papi just sweats a lot. Ortiz has become one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball and is a star here and in Latin America. Pierce’s status has diminished, as every year at the trading deadline his name is thrown around, and Murray is a small bright spot in a once proud but now pathetic franchise.

3) Dallas (Mark Teixeira, Mike Modano, Dirk Nowitzki, Terrell Owens) Teixeira is one of baseball’s bright young stars, and Modano is arguably the greatest American born hockey player of all time. Nowitzki is the international star that so many NBA franchises are dying to find. Owens’ star status is undeniable, as his media circuses would rival Barnum & Bailey.

2) Phoenix (Randy Johnson, Jeremy Roenick, Steve Nash, Edgerrin James) It is easily the surprise city on this countdown and the perfect example of not having the best players but having star quality. Johnson’s “Big Unit” legacy and his World Series ring have made him a legend in the desert, meaning Chase Field will be sold out every five days. Roenick’s skills have faded, but his sound bites and opinions are front page news. James has finally brought excitement to Arizona football, while Steve Nash has finally given Americans a reason to like Canada.

1) New York (Derek Jeter, Jaromir Jagr, Stephon Marbury, Michael Strahan) Splitting the city down the generally accepted division still puts New York City on top. Jeter’s the most recognizable person in baseball, and he and Tom Brady could very well be twins. Jagr is an international and NHL star, and Strahan and his gap-toothed smile and sack record are known everywhere. Marbury, while not a superstar, still carries significant name recognition on the court and in shoe stores.

pettym1@lasalle.edu