Which teams are next in line to win first championship?

MLB: Tampa Bay Rays

There really isn’t any other option at this point. A year ago, this was a different story as the Seattle Mariners were eight outs away from making their first World Series. A year later, the Rays dominated a weak American League but ran into a dominant Brewers club to fall to 0-3 in the Fall Classic.

Of the remaining clubs — San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Seattle — only San Diego seems to be in the conversation year in and year out. However, I can’t go against the defending AL Champions, who might have won if they played anyone else but the Brewers, until proven otherwise.

NFL: Buffalo Bills

The NFL has a staggering 12 teams without a title, the most of any league. Of the 12, there are teams present that will make you go, “Yeah, that makes sense,” and there are others that its baffling they are still listed, like the Bills. Outside of their four-straight Super Bowl losses, Buffalo has been a mainstay in the AFC side of the playoffs, making every bracket since 2019, but are only 8-7 with a pair of AFC Championship losses.

Like the Brewers, something has to give eventually, right? Every year it seems like there’s always one team better than the Bills, or they run into the Kansas City Chiefs, but they are too talented to not get at least one chance to win a title.

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves

Yes, there is a stigma with Minnesota sports and its apparent allergy of winning professional championships. Yes, there might be additional anger that the undefeated Minnesota Vikings weren’t chosen above, but this is the NBA section, so here’s a bone with the Timberwolves.

The T-wolves have made the playoffs for five-straight seasons, including two Western Conference Finals losses. They may take a step back this season after losing Anthony Edwards for the next two months, but out of the ringless teams, they make the most sense right now, especially if they move to the East after the league expands.

The Indiana Pacers were a Tyrese Haliburton Game 7 injury away from potentially leaving the list two seasons ago and are probably next in line, but there are a lot of bad teams that might be here for a while.

NHL: San Jose Sharks

Here’s one to go out on a limb for and not fully base it on recent success — sorry Minnesota Wild fans, you don’t get two. This race is the closest of the bunch, though. The Wild, Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth all have their own cases, but I’m going with the Sharks.

 San Jose has been bad lately, but has retooled well, including landing the best player in the world who can’t buy alcohol in Macklin Celebrini, who has already exceeded expectations. San Jose is loaded with potential stars and with Celebrini leading the way, why not invest in the Sharks to be the next team to win their first Cup.