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The seven most drama-filled franchises in sports
Blake Griffin broke his hand earlier this season fighting an equipment manager. Erika Goldring/Getty Images

The seven most drama-filled franchises in sports

The Los Angeles Lakers are dominating headlines in sports again, and for once this season it’s not due to Kobe Bryant’s impending retirement. Instead, the drama revolves around point guard D’Angelo Russell allegedly leaking a video of teammate Nick Young detailing his sexual escapades in what Young thought to be a private conversation.

Although it’s not clear what the long-term implications of this incident are for Russell, Young and the Lakers, there is no doubt the drama has damaged Russell’s reputation in particular and portrayed him in a negative light. So with the Lakers back to playing their classic role of the soap opera of the NBA, let’s take a look at the seven most drama-filled sports franchises in the U.S.

1) Los Angeles Lakers

What better place to begin than in Los Angeles with the previously mentioned Lakers? Putting the current Russell-Young saga aside, the Lakers have had very few dull moments as a franchise. We can start with the fact that Magic Johnson successfully lobbied to have his first head coach, Paul Westhead, fired in 1982 in favor of Pat Riley. Yes, basketball fans, this happened, and yes, history seems to have brushed this incident under the rug.

Following Magic Johnson’s retirement from the NBA in 1991, the Lakers were relatively drama-free until two players by the name of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant arrived in Los Angeles in 1996. The duo won three titles together and then proceeded to tear the Lakers franchise apart with a very public feud of their own. Sure, they might be buddies now, but back in the mid 2000s, Kobe and Shaq absolutely HATED each other.

During this time period, Bryant was also accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Colorado. Although the charges were eventually dropped, the optics of having Kobe appear in court in Colorado and then fly back home to Los Angeles to play the same night were completely surreal. Truth be told, all of this really only scratches the surface of the soap opera that is the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are Hollywood’s team for a reason, and the latest drama surrounding D’Angelo Russell and Nick Young is reminder that the Lakers are truly the most drama-filled sports franchise in the world.

2) New York Yankees

Since the passing of George Steinbrenner in 2010, the New York Yankees haven’t been the lightning rod for controversy they traditionally have been. But while “The Boss” was running the show in the New York, the Bronx Bombers were their own reality show.

Steinbrenner hired and fired manager Billy Martin five times, spent money on free agents in manner that was unprecedented in sports, and even hired a gambler to dig up dirt on his own star player Dave Winfield. After MLB brass became aware of what Steinbrenner was doing to his own player, he was suspended for two years from baseball in 1990.

Still, winning truly does cure all in sports. Despite his many transgressions and controversies, the Yankees won seven World Series Championships during Steinbrenner’s tenure as owner, and those championships define his legacy more than anything else.

3) Dallas Cowboys

In 1989, an oil tycoon by the name of Jerry Jones bought one of North American sports' most beloved franchise, the Dallas Cowboys. What was his first move as owner? Naturally, it was to fire two-time Super Bowl-winning champion head coach Tom Landry. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to “Jerry World!”

Initially, Jones was hailed as one of the finest owners in the NFL as the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in 1990s. However, since their last Super Bowl title victory in 1996, the Dallas Cowboys have been known far more for drama and controversy than their play on the field.

As owner, president and general mangers of the Cowboys, Jones has never been afraid to make headlines. After the shocking dismissal of Landry, Jones would go on to clash with the next several head coaches. Jimmy Johnson won two Super Bowls for his Cowboys, but differences in philosophy led to Johnson jumping ship to the Dolphins. Even after Barry Switzer won Jones another Super Bowl, he found himself on the outside looking in soon after.

And of course, how can we possibly forget Jones' penchant for controversial, high-profile free agent signings? In 2006, Jones signed prima dona wide receiver Terrell Owens, and nothing but drama followed. Owens' attitude isolated him from many teammates, and an accidental drug overdose brought on a media circus. The most recent of Jones' controversial free agent signings came in the form of pass rusher Greg Hardy, a man with a well-known history of domestic abuse. The signing of Hardy was likened to Jones selling his soul for a Super Bowl run. The Cowboys went 4-12 last season, and Hardy never fit in with the team.

Like the other franchises discussed, there is much more to be unpacked here. Several books have already been written on the Jones regime in Dallas, and for good reason. The Dallas Cowboys tend to offer the sports world more drama off the field than on it.

4) Cleveland Cavaliers

Although they still haven’t won a championship since LeBron James joined the team initially in 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers have had no shortage of drama. It all truly started in 2010, when James stunned the Cavs organization and fan base by leaving them in free agency for the Miami Heat. Cavs owner Dan Gilbert published a scathing letter after James made his decision public, in which he called James a coward and a traitor. Gilbert also proclaimed that the Cavs would win a title before James would ever manage to with the Heat.

After LeBron won two championships in four years in Miami, he made his dramatic return to Cleveland in 2014, promising Cavs fans their first NBA title. Almost two years into his second tenure in Cleveland, James has brought the city more media controversy than NBA titles. He continually undermined former head coach David Blatt, a major reason leading to his firing earlier this year. Additionally, James just can’t seem to get all of his teammates on the same page, and the tension from that is palpable.

Despite playing alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, the Cavs do not appear to be on the cusp of winning their first NBA championship. Instead, the team tends to act far more as a conduit for drama in the NBA.

5) Cleveland Browns

Typically speaking, a good sports drama involves a team that has some degree of success. When it comes to the Cleveland Browns, this couldn’t be further from the case. Since rejoining the NFL as an expansion franchise in 1999, the Browns have made headlines for their nonstop incompetence. Since 1999, the Browns have had an eight different head coaches and now have their ninth in Hue Jackson. The Browns front office has also had a turnover rate worse than a fast food restaurant.

To top it all off, Browns fans have also had to endure the slow train wreck that was former starting quarterback Johnny Manziel. But hey, Manziel is actually just one of 24 different starting quarterbacks the Browns have had since 1999, so he will likely be forgotten sooner than later.

The Browns are a unique sports franchise in that their futility has become a source of schadenfreude for sports fans. I suppose that’s some sort of accomplishment?

6) Washington Redskins

The drama with the Washington Redskins starts with fact that many people don’t even feel comfortable uttering the team’s name. The name “Redskins” is considered to be derogatory by many Native American groups.

Despite the growing consensus that the football team in out of the nation's capitol should probably change its name because it just might be a little bit racist, team owner Daniel Snyder has adamantly refused to do so. In fact, Snyder has taken a page from the Donald Trump playbook and doubled down on the “Redskins” name. All in all, it’s just a needlessly ugly controversy for the NFL and issue that won't be going away anytime soon.

7) Los Angeles Clippers

Traditionally speaking, the Los Angeles Clippers have been one of the most pathetic sports franchises in the world. However, since the arrival of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clips' fortunes on the court have changed. That being said, the team has also seen more than its fair share of controversy over the past few years.

The most notable incident came in 2014 when an audio tape of team owner Donald Sterling became public in which Sterling revealed himself to be a deeply racist man. There had been rumors of such for years, but the tape was more than anyone could expect. It was so bad, the Clippers and Warriors, who were playing in the first round of the NBA playoffs that season, were set to protest Game 4 of the series by walking off the court after tip-off. Fortunately, commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA acted swiftly and banned Sterling for life from the league. Sterling would soon sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Still, the Clippers' drama doesn’t end there. This past offseason, when confronted with the possibility of losing DeAndre Jordan in free agency to the Dallas Mavericks, head coach Doc Rivers and a group of players led by Chris Paul traveled to Jordan’s home in Houston to persuade him to return to Los Angeles. Rivers and Co. even stayed in Jordan’s home until he could officially sign a contract at midnight the next day. The incident resulted in a tremendous amount of bad blood between the Clippers and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Additionally, star power forward Blake Griffin embarrassed himself and the team earlier this year when he broke his hand in a fistfight with a team equipment manager. Griffin needed surgery to mend his broken hand and is yet to return to the court for the Clips. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but if the Clippers keep this string of drama up, the Lakers might have some competition off the court in Los Angeles.

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