Are the Boston Celtics the best franchise in U.S. sports?

AP

Monthly business mag Condé Nast Portfolio has conducted a survey of the 122 teams in the four major American pro sports leagues to determine which franchises were strongest at winning games and making money over the past year.

The Boston Celtics, New York Giants, L.A. Lakers, Montreal Canadiens and Boston Red Sox can be found near the top of the list, with the Detroit Lions, New York Islanders, Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Thrashers and Pittsburgh Pirates helping round out the bottom.

The Celtics ended the year as the most successful organization in professional sports, according to a new bizjournals study, while the Lions were the least successful team.

Bizjournals analyzed the performances of all 122 franchises in the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League in the 2008 calendar year. The top scores went to those teams that were strongest at the twin missions of professional sports—winning games and making money.

The No. 1 Celtics won the NBA’s 2008 title, posted the league’s best regular-season winning percentage (.791), sold every seat to every home game, and enjoyed a 14 percent increase in franchise value in a single year.

The other three pro-sports champions of 2008 also ranked among the 10 most successful teams: the New York Giants of the NFL (second), Detroit Red Wings of the NHL (seventh) and Philadelphia Phillies of MLB (ninth).

Each of the top 10 organizations sold more than 97 percent of its tickets last year. Six sold out every home game. Frequent losses and weak attendance cursed the teams at the bottom of the standings.

Your thoughts on the results? Do you think the Celtics are the best franchise in American sports?

Good (and Bad) Sports [Condé Nast Portfolio]