Hometown Sports: The State of California

California is the powerhouse of sports. With the most professional sports teams in the country at 19, the Golden State isn’t just home to a beautiful coast and the fifth largest economy in the world. 

Almost everyone is a diehard sports fan with a whole lot of hometown pride. Rivalries, dynasties and even heartbreaks — all meshed together in West Coast harmony.

Nowhere is it more evident than in the contest between the north and the south — San Francisco versus Los Angeles.

The Bay vs. LA seems like a cultural clash. Up the Pacific Coast Highway you’ve got the 49ers, Giants, Warriors, Sharks and Earthquakes. Down Highway 1, you can take your pick of the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, Chargers, Clippers, Kings, Los Angeles Football Club and The Galaxy.

Only in LA can traffic and loyalty be tested in equal measure.

The abundance of teams in such proximity justifies perfect rivalry fuel to contribute to California’s excitement and competitive spirit. 

It all started with one of the oldest rivalries in baseball. Way back in the mid-20th century, after the 1957 season, baseball changed forever.

Then-Brooklyn Dodgers manager Walter O’Malley moved his team from Brooklyn to LA and convinced manager Horace Stoneham of the New York Giants to follow suit shortly after.

As the Dodgers and the Giants left the East Coast, it was a heartbreaking scene for fans in the New York area. In 1962, the New York Mets moved to the ballpark-less Queens borough, bringing some respite to both grieving Giants and Dodgers supporters by adopting both teams’ color scheme. 

After 131 years of rivalry, from East and West. The Giants and Dodgers only met in the postseason for the first time in the 2021 National League Division Series with a five-game clash.

The Giants fell after game five with a 2-1 score, and the Dodgers advanced to the National League Championship Series. 

The Dodgers have mostly maintained domination over their California cousin the Giants.

The “Boys in Blue” defeated the Giants to win the regular season National League West titles in 2014 and 2016. 

My heart bleeds Dodger Blue, a privilege passed on through my family for generations. When it comes to love for hometown sports, the Dodgers will be engraved in my tombstone.

Forget the Dodgers’ 2024 World Series win. With a payroll of $241 million, it felt more like a corporate takeover than a thrilling victory. Sure, beating the Yankees is always satisfying, but it lacked the emotional punch.

Now, the 2020 World Series win is a different story. I sat at home as if I were waiting for my favorite TV show to finally resolve a cliffhanger, after a World Series drought dating back to 1988 — hearing Vin Scully’s iconic voice narrate was like the universe finally paying back a debt.

LeBron James brought new life to the LA Lakers, adding fuel to an already iconic franchise with 17 championship banners.

In 1960, the franchise moved to LA from Minnesota. “The Land of A Thousand Lakes” was contributing a legacy with countless legends — Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and now “King” James. 

The Lakers have a record 32 NBA Finals appearances and are just behind the Boston Celtics in championship wins with 17.

The Los Angeles Kings have clawed their way back into NHL playoff relevance in recent years, led by key players like Kevin Fiala and Anze Kopitar. This resurgence hasn’t only boosted their standings in the Pacific Division but also reignited hopes for a deep playoff run.

In the MLS, with a smaller following, LA is split down the middle between LAFC and Galaxy — both in talent and in fans — as seen at the annual Los Angeles Derby rival match known as “El Tráfico.”

You can live your whole life in LA and never leave the sports bubble. It’s a city of neighborhoods with banners hanging on balconies and bumper stickers talking trash.

With the 2025 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games on the calendar, the sports economy will continue to grow. As a result of gentrification, ticket prices are on the rise as California contends with a falling state residence. 

I live in a place where traffic sucks, but loyalty runs deep.

So yeah, maybe LA doesn’t need 10 teams, but it wouldn’t be LA without them.