The Dream of Building a Sports Dynasty
A dynasty blossoms from the epic tale that is years of rivalries, triumph, heartbreak, and the ultimate level of success. Dynasties around the sports world are most often categorized as a stretch of 3+ championships and are often led by legendary coaches and players who are looked back on as icons of their generation. The most recently minted dynasty was the Kansas City Chiefs as they secured their third championship in 5 years. The recent reign of the chiefs has begun discussion for many on how the sports ecosystem views dynasties. While some argue that they are bad for the parody and fairness of the game, I would argue that dynasties are the pulse of a thriving sports league. Some of the most famous and well-recognized eras in sports history come from prevalent dynasties. Whether it be Micheal Jordan’s Bulls in the 90s, the 2000s Yankees with Derek Jeter, or Tom Brady’s Patriots, we often look back fondly on these days of dominance.
One of the main problems with dynasties is the unfair nature of one team taking what would otherwise be spread across all teams and cities. Also, more often than not, these dynasties are not created in an organic fashion. There is a reason why some of the most successful teams come from places like Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Boston. Nine times out of ten, dynasties are bought, not grown. One exception of this is the arguably recently ended Golden State Warriors dynasty. The Warriors four championships in a span of six years was grown through drafted talent that includes Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and even Jordan Poole. Before drafting Stephen Curry, who was the first one selected out of the group, Forbes estimated that the Golden State Warriors were worth $315 Million. Now, four championships and 700 wins later, Forbes estimates that the Warriors are worth $7.7 Billion. That is the power of a dynasty, specifically a homegrown one. Dynasties from a team perspective are a chance for riches and glory that are cemented in history.
It can be difficult to recognize and enjoy a dynasty while it is actively happening, but like all things, at some point it all comes crumbling down. Dynasties are awesome and absolutely vital for keeping sports entertaining.
