By Authors Rustin Dodd, Zack Meisel, and Andy McCullough
The year was 1977, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had just snapped a record 26-game losing streak under head coach John McKay. In the face of their previous winless season, McKay famously quipped, “Three or four plane crashes and we’re in the playoffs.” Fast forward to 2024, and a new contender has emerged for the title of the worst team in professional sports history – the Chicago White Sox.
In the modern era of the MLB, the White Sox have set a new record for the most losses in a season, surpassing the 1962 New York Mets with a staggering 121 losses. With no end in sight, let’s take a look at a baker’s dozen of the worst teams ever to grace the world of professional sports.
So Awful They Were Forgettable
13. 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats, NBA, 7-59, .106
With high hopes, the Bobcats’ owner declared they had a good team that could make the playoffs, only to end the season with just seven wins. Jordan’s team faltered where he had shined, leading to a historic season.
12. 2011 Tulsa Shock, WNBA, 3-31, .088
After a string of losses and coaching changes, the Shock set a WNBA record for the worst winning percentage, culminating in a lackluster season.
Maybe Relegation Is a Good Idea
11. 2007-08 Derby County, English Premier League, 1-29-8, .026
Despite a record-setting losing streak, the Derby County side from 2007-08 managed just a single win in a season marked by utter futility, solidifying its place in history.
There’s No Earthly Reason They Should Have Been This Bad
10. 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, NBA, 9-73, .110
With a record-breaking 73 losses in a season, the 76ers struggled under the guidance of an ill-equipped head coach, leaving a legacy of basketball ineptitude.
9. 2003 Detroit Tigers, MLB, 43-119, .265
Despite a dismal start, the Tigers rallied to narrowly avoid the fate of the 62 Mets, showcasing a rollercoaster season that ended with a surprising outcome.
Expansion? How about Contraction Instead?
8. 1992-93 Ottawa Senators, NHL, 10-70-4, .119
Amid high expectations, the Senators’ inaugural season revealed a struggling team incapable of finding its footing, leading to a season marred by defeats and disappointments.
7. 1974-75 Washington Capitals, NHL, 8-67-5, .100
Struggling alongside another expansion team, the Capitals faced insurmountable odds and set a record for a season mired in losses, cementing their status as NHL underdogs.
6. 1976 Tampa Buccaneers, NFL, 0-14, .000
Described as professional incompetence, the Buccaneers’ winless season highlighted a team plagued by injuries and setbacks, showcasing the struggles of a team striving for success.
The 0-16 Club
4. 2017 Cleveland Browns, NFL, 0-16, .000
Going winless in a season, the Browns faced public ridicule and protest as they navigated a season marked by losses and setbacks, leading to a historic finish with lasting repercussions.
3. 2008 Detroit Lions, NFL, 0-16, .000
Enduring the first winless season in NFL history, the Lions faced public scrutiny and internal struggles, culminating in a season marred by defeat and despair.
The Applicant
2. 2024 Chicago White Sox, MLB, Record Unknown
Setting a new record for losses in a season, the 2024 White Sox faced unparalleled challenges and obstacles, solidifying their place in baseball history as a team surrounded by controversy and defeat.
The Worst Team of All Time
1. 1899 Cleveland Spiders, MLB, 20-134, .130
A deplorable season, marked by player trades and a lack of support, led the Spiders to a record-setting performance in futility, emphasizing the team’s descent into infamy and eventual disbandment.
(Illustration by Meech Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Quinn Harris / Getty Images, Gregory Shamus / Getty Images, David T. Foster III / Charlotte Observer / MCT)
