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Research and Ratings

2015 Minor League Markets: The rankings

FINAL RANKING

RANK MARKET SCORE CURRENT TEAMS LOST TEAMS
1 Quad Cities (Moline-Rock Island, Ill./Davenport-Bettendorf, Iowa) 100.00 MWL Quad City River Bandits, MWL Clinton LumberKings, MWL Burlington Bees, ECHL Quad City Mallards  
2 Toledo, Ohio 95.28 IL Toledo Mud Hens, ECHL Toledo Walleye  
3 Fort Wayne, Ind. 93.49 MWL Fort Wayne TinCaps, ECHL Fort Wayne Komets, NBA D-League Fort Wayne Mad Ants  
4 Tulsa, Okla. 92.87 TL Tulsa Drillers, ECHL Tulsa Oilers, WNBA Tulsa Shock, MASL Tulsa Revolution NBA D-League Tulsa 66ers
5 Charleston, S.C. 84.98 SAL Charleston RiverDogs, ECHL South Carolina Stingrays, USL Charleston Battery  
6 Des Moines, Iowa 81.27 PCL Iowa Cubs, AHL Iowa Wild, NBA D-League Iowa Energy, IFL Iowa Barnstormers  
7 Sioux Falls, S.D. 70.23 AA Sioux Falls Canaries, NBA D-League Sioux Falls Skyforce, IFL Sioux Falls Storm  
8 Inland Empire, Calif. 67.81 CAL Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, CAL Inland Empire 66ers, CAL High Desert Mavericks, AHL Ontario Reign, MASL Ontario Fury  
9 Hershey-Harrisburg, Pa. 60.76 EL Harrisburg Senators, AHL Hershey Bears, MASL Harrisburg Heat, USL Harrisburg City Islanders PIFL Harrisburg Stampede
10 Grand Rapids-Comstock Park, Mich. 59.69 MWL West Michigan Whitecaps, AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, NBA D-League Grand Rapids Drive  
11 El Paso, Texas 59.12 PCL El Paso Chihuahuas  
12 Bakersfield, Calif. 58.49 AHL Bakersfield Condors, CAL Bakersfield Blaze, NBA D-League Bakersfield Jam  
13 Binghamton, N.Y. 54.96 EL Binghamton Mets, AHL Binghamton Senators  
14 Spokane, Wash. 54.17 NWL Spokane Indians, AFL Spokane Shock  
15 Portland, Maine 53.25 EL Portland Sea Dogs, AHL Portland Pirates, NBA D-League Maine Red Claws  
16 Erie, Pa. 52.92 EL Erie SeaWolves, NBA D-League Erie BayHawks, PIFL Erie Explosion  
17 Richmond, Va. 52.76 EL Richmond Flying Squirrels, USL Richmond Kickers, PIFL Richmond Raiders IFL Richmond Revolution
18 Peoria, Ill. 52.19 MWL Peoria Chiefs, SPHL Peoria Rivermen  
19 Johnson City, Tenn. 52.00 APP Johnson City Cardinals  
20 Rochester, N.Y. 51.00 IL Rochester Red Wings, AHL Rochester Americans, USL Rochester Rhinos, NWSL Western New York Flash MASL Rochester Lancers, AIF Rochester Raiders
21 Appleton, Wis. 50.85 MWL Wisconsin Timber Rattlers  
22 Bluefield-Princeton, W.Va. 50.76 APP Bluefield Blue Jays, APP Princeton Rays  
23 Winston-Salem, N.C. 49.70 CAR Winston-Salem Dash  
24 Asheville, N.C. 49.65 SAL Asheville Tourists  
25 Boise, Idaho 49.42 NWL Boise Hawks, ECHL Idaho Steelheads, NBA D-League Idaho Stampede  
26 Austin/Round Rock, Texas 49.28 PCL Round Rock Express, AHL Texas Stars, NBA D-League Austin Toros, USL Austin Aztex  
27 Wichita-Valley Center, Kan. 48.85 AA Wichita Wingnuts, ECHL Wichita Thunder, CIF Wichita Force, MASL Wichita B-52s  
28 Pensacola, Fla. 47.60 SL Pensacola Blue Wahoos, SPHL Pensacola Ice Flyers  
29 Durham-Cary, N.C. 47.45 IL Durham Bulls, NASL Carolina RailHawks  
30 Providence-Pawtucket, R.I. 46.72 IL Pawtucket Red Sox, AHL Providence Bruins  
31 Modesto, Calif. 46.71 CAL Modesto Nuts, MASL Turlock Express  
32 Idaho Falls, Idaho 46.38 PL Idaho Falls Chukars  
33 North Little Rock, Ark. 46.12 TL Arkansas Travelers  
34 Greenville, S.C. 45.84 SAL Greenville Drive, ECHL Greenville Road Warriors  
35 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 45.67 MWL Cedar Rapids Kernels, IFL Cedar Rapids Titans  
36 Greensboro-Burlington, N.C. 45.33 SAL Greensboro Grasshoppers, APP Burlington Royals  
37 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 45.18 IL Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins  
38 Syracuse, N.Y. 45.09 IL Syracuse Chiefs, AHL Syracuse Crunch, MASL Syracuse Silver Knights  
39 Roanoke-Salem, Va. 44.16 CAR Salem Red Sox  
40 Hartford-New Britain, Conn. 43.29 EL New Britain Rock Cats, AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, WNBA Connecticut Sun  
41 South Bend, Ind. 43.07 MWL South Bend Cubs  
42 Fort Myers-Estero, Fla. 42.77 FSL Fort Myers Miracle , ECHL Florida Everblades, X-League Florida Tarpons  
43 Billings, Mont. 42.52 PL Billings Mustangs, IFL Billings Wolves  
44 Tacoma, Wash. 41.79 PCL Tacoma Rainiers, MASL Tacoma Stars  
45 Clearwater-Dunedin, Fla. 41.21 FSL Clearwater Threshers, FSL Dunedin Blue Jays  
46 Akron, Ohio 41.16 EL Akron RubberDucks, NPF Akron Racers  
47 Eugene, Ore. 40.75 NWL Eugene Emeralds  
48 Auburn, N.Y. 40.12 NYPL Auburn Doubledays  
49 Lehigh Valley, Pa. 39.83 IL Lehigh Valley IronPigs, AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms, PIFL Lehigh Valley Steelhawks  
50 Lynchburg, Va. 38.90 CAR Lynchburg Hillcats  
51 Pearl-Jackson, Miss. 38.09 SL Mississippi Braves  
52 Midland, Texas 37.73 TL Midland RockHounds  
53 Elizabethton, Tenn. 37.49 APP Elizabethton Twins  
54 Chattanooga, Tenn. 36.75 SL Chattanooga Lookouts  
55 Lakeland, Fla. 36.69 FSL Lakeland Flying Tigers X-League Florida Marine Raiders
56 Omaha, Neb. 36.51 PCL Omaha Storm Chasers, CIF Omaha Beef MISL Omaha Vipers
57 Visalia, Calif. 35.98 CAL Visalia Rawhide  
58 Batavia, N.Y. 35.95 NYPL Batavia Muckdogs  
59 Bristol, Va. 34.26 APP Bristol Pirates  
60 Wheeling, W.Va. 32.76 ECHL Wheeling Nailers  
61 Kingsport, Tenn. 32.20 APP Kingsport Mets  
62 Great Falls, Mont. 31.94 PL Great Falls Voyagers  
63 Sioux City, Iowa 31.68 AA Sioux City Explorers, CIF Sioux City Bandits  
64 Savannah, Ga. 31.29 SAL Savannah Sand Gnats, AIF Savannah Steam  
65 Woodbridge, Va. 30.33 CAR Potomac Nationals  
66 Dayton, Ohio 30.02 MWL Dayton Dragons, FHL Dayton Demolition, USL Dayton Dutch Lions CIFL Dayton Sharks
67 Altoona, Pa. 30.01 EL Altoona Curve  
68 Kalamazoo, Mich. 29.60 ECHL Kalamazoo Wings FL Kalamazoo Kings
69 Salisbury, Md. 29.45 SAL Delmarva Shorebirds  
70 Allen, Texas 29.31 ECHL Allen Americans, CIF Texas Revolution, MASL Dallas Sidekicks  
71 West Valley City, Utah 29.23 ECHL Utah Grizzlies  
72 Colorado Springs, Colo. 28.51 PCL Colorado Springs Sky Sox, USL Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC  
73 Lancaster, Calif. 27.84 CAL Lancaster JetHawks  
74 Jackson, Tenn. 27.59 SL Jackson Generals  
75 Danville, Ill. 27.44 FHL Danville Dashers  
76 Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 27.37 NYPL Hudson Valley Renegades  
77 Knoxville-Kodak, Tenn. 27.07 SL Tennessee Smokies, SPHL Knoxville IceBears PIFL Knoxville NightHawks
78 Frederick, Md. 26.85 CAR Frederick Keys  
79 Lansing, Mich. 26.28 MWL Lansing Lugnuts  
80 Tri-Cities, Wash. 25.82 NWL Tri-City Dust Devils, IFL Tri-Cities Fever  
81 Hickory, N.C. 24.92 SAL Hickory Crawdads  
82 Danville, Va. 24.83 APP Danville Braves  
83 Columbus, Ga. 24.80 SPHL Columbus Cottonmouths, PIFL Columbus Lions  
84 Fargo, N.D. 24.46 AA Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks  
85 Norfolk, Va. 24.45 IL Norfolk Tides, ECHL Norfolk Admirals  
86 Pomona, N.Y. 24.36 C-A Rockland Boulders  
87 Myrtle Beach, S.C. 24.35 CAR Myrtle Beach Pelicans  
88 Norwich-West Haven, Conn. 23.96 NYPL Connecticut Tigers  
89 Marion, Ill. 23.88 FL Southern Illinois Miners  
90 Daytona Beach, Fla. 23.87 FSL Daytona Tortugas  
91 Glen Falls, N.Y. 23.83 ECHL Adirondack Thunder  
92 Midland, Mich. 23.77 MWL Great Lakes Loons  
93 Charleston, W.Va. 23.42 SAL West Virginia Power  
94 Reno, Nev. 23.32 PCL Reno Aces, NBA D-League Reno Bighorns  
95 Birmingham, Ala. 23.18 SL Birmingham Barons, X-League Alabama Outlawz  
96 Wilmington-Newark, Del. 23.10 CAR Wilmington Blue Rocks, NBA D-League Delaware 87ers  
97 Elmira, N.Y. 22.85 ECHL Elmira Jackals  
98 Rome, Ga. 22.72 SAL Rome Braves  
99t Burlington, Vt. 22.39 NYPL Vermont Lake Monsters  
99t Port St. Lucie, Fla. 22.39 FSL St. Lucie Mets  
101 Troy, N.Y. 22.25 NYPL Tri-City ValleyCats  
102 Loveland, Colo. 21.41 ECHL Colorado Eagles, IFL Colorado Crush  
103 Albany, N.Y. 21.38 AHL Albany Devils  
104 Beloit, Wis. 21.18 MWL Beloit Snappers  
105 Geneva, Ill. 20.30 MWL Kane County Cougars  
106 Palm Beach County, Fla. 20.24 FSL Jupiter Hammerheads, FSL Palm Beach Cardinals  
107 Manchester-Nashua, N.H. 20.09 EL New Hampshire Fisher Cats, AHL Manchester Monarchs  
108 Pulaski, Va. 19.60 APP Pulaski Yankees  
109 York, Pa. 19.36 AL York Revolution, AIF York Capitals  
110 Lowell, Mass. 19.00 NYPL Lowell Spinners AHL Lowell Devils
111 Grand Junction, Colo. 18.88 PL Grand Junction Rockies  
112 Missoula, Mont. 18.84 PL Missoula Osprey  
113t Amarillo, Texas 18.71 AA Amarillo Thunderheads, CIF Amarillo Venom  
113t Metairie, La. 18.71 PCL New Orleans Zephyrs  
115 Anchorage, Alaska 18.50 ECHL Alaska Aces  
116 Greeneville, Tenn. 18.00 APP Greeneville Astros  
117 Springfield, Mo. 17.98 TL Springfield Cardinals  
118 Florence, Ky. 17.96 FL Florence Freedom  
119 Williamsport, Pa. 17.56 NYPL Williamsport Crosscutters  
120 Wilmington, N.C. 17.48 USL Wilmington Hammerheads  
121 Washington, Pa. 17.42 FL Washington Wild Things, NPF Pennsylvania Rebellion  
122 Bowling Green, Ky. 17.36 MWL Bowling Green Hot Rods  
123 Lexington, Ky. 17.19 SAL Lexington Legends  
124 Watertown, N.Y. 17.10 FHL Watertown Wolves  
125t Fresno, Calif. 17.03 PCL Fresno Grizzlies  
125t Montgomery, Ala. 17.03 SL Montgomery Biscuits  
127 Lakewood, N.J. 16.93 SAL Lakewood BlueClaws  
128 Ogden, Utah 16.84 PL Ogden Raptors  
129 Rapid City, S.D. 16.78 ECHL Rapid City Rush  
130 Bowie-College Park, Md. 16.67 EL Bowie Baysox, AIF Maryland Eagles  
131 Santa Cruz, Calif. 16.58 NBA D-League Santa Cruz Warriors  
132 Hagerstown, Md. 16.54 SAL Hagerstown Suns  
133 DuPage County, Ill. 16.52 AIF Chicago Blitz, NWSL Chicago Red Stars  
134 Crestwood, Ill. 16.25 FL Windy City Thunderbolts  
135 Keizer, Ore. 16.07 NWL Salem-Keizer Volcanoes  
136 Southaven, Miss. 15.85 SPHL Mississippi RiverKings  
137 Gary, Ind. 15.72 AA Gary SouthShore RailCats  
138 Reading, Pa. 15.57 EL Reading Fightin Phils, ECHL Reading Royals, AIF ASI Panthers IFL Reading Express, MISL Pennsylvania Roar
139 Sauget, Ill. 15.41 FL Gateway Grizzlies  
140 Lake Elsinore, Calif. 15.37 CAL Lake Elsinore Storm  
141 Lancaster, Pa. 15.35 AL Lancaster Barnstormers  
142 Helena, Mont. 15.13 PL Helena Brewers  
143 Traverse City, Mich. 14.95 FL Traverse City Beach Bums  
144 Eastlake, Ohio 14.78 MWL Lake County Captains  
145t Springdale, Ark. 14.28 TL Northwest Arkansas Naturals  
145t Youngstown-Niles, Ohio 14.28 NYPL Mahoning Valley Scrappers, AIF York Capitals  
147 Evansville, Ind. 13.85 FL Evansville Otters, ECHL Evansville IceMen CIFL Evansville Rage
148 Independence, Mo. 13.17 ECHL Missouri Mavericks, MASL Missouri Comets  
149 Las Vegas 13.01 PCL Las Vegas 51s, Las Vegas Outlaws*, MASL Las Vegas Legends ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers
150 Waldorf, Md. 12.88 AL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs  
151 Bridgewater, N.J. 12.85 AL Somerset Patriots, NWSL Sky Blue FC  
152 State College, Pa. 12.72 NYPL State College Spikes  
153 Camden, N.J. 12.64 AL Camden Riversharks  
154 Little Falls, N.J. 12.51 C-A New Jersey Jackals  
155 Melbourne, Fla. 11.67 FSL Brevard County Manatees  
156 Bradenton, Fla. 10.83 FSL Bradenton Marauders  
157 O’Fallon-St. Charles, Mo. 10.64 FL River City Rascals, X-League St. Louis Attack, MASL St. Louis Ambush CHL St. Charles Chill
158 Springfield, Mass. 10.10 AHL Springfield Falcons NBA D-League Springfield Armor
159 Aberdeen, Md. 9.80 NYPL Aberdeen IronBirds  
160 Lafayette, La. 9.18 SPHL Louisiana IceGators  
161 Bridgeport-Danbury, Conn. 9.14 AL Bridgeport Bluefish, AHL Bridgeport Sound Tigers, FHL Danbury Titans  
162 Staten Island, N.Y. 8.97 NYPL Staten Island Yankees  
163 Grand Island, Neb. 8.80 IFL Nebraska Danger  
164t Corpus Christi, Texas 8.27 TL Corpus Christi Hooks, X-League Corpus Christi Fury  
164t Port Charlotte, Fla. 8.27 FSL Charlotte Stone Crabs  
166 Albuquerque-Rio Rancho, N.M. 6.98 PCL Albuquerque Isotopes, CIF Duke City Gladiators  NBA D-League New Mexico Thunderbirds
167 Bemidji, Minn. 6.16 IFL Bemidji Axemen  
168 Huntsville, Ala. 6.12 SPHL Huntsville Havoc, PIFL Alabama Hammers SL Huntsville Stars
169 Joliet, Ill. 5.59 FL Joliet Slammers  
170 Avon, Ohio 4.79 FL Lake Erie Crushers  
171 Rockford, Ill. 4.62 FL Rockford Aviators, AHL Rockford IceHogs PASL Rockford Rampage
172 Trenton, N.J. 3.26 EL Trenton Thunder, PIFL Trenton Freedom ECHL Trenton Titans, SIFL Trenton Steel
173 Lincoln, Neb. 3.00 AA Lincoln Saltdogs CPIFL Lincoln Haymakers
174 Beaumont, Texas 2.23 MASL Oxford City FC of Texas   
175 Utica, N.Y. 2.10 AHL Utica Comets  
176 Everett, Wash. 1.61 NWL Everett AquaSox IFL Everett Raptors
177 Augusta, Ga. 1.31 SAL Augusta Greenjackets SPHL Augusta RiverHawks
178 Concord-Kannapolis, N.C. -5.19 SAL Kannapolis Intimidators SIFL Carolina Speed
179 Biloxi, Miss. -6.14 SL Biloxi Shuckers SPHL Mississippi Surge
180 Gwinnett-Duluth, Ga. -6.87 IL Gwinnett Braves, ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators AFL Georgia Force
181 Canton, Ohio -8.31 NBA D-League Canton Charge UIFL Canton Cougars, PASL Ohio Vortex
182 Bismarck, N.D. -8.41   NBA D-League Dakota Wizards
183 Fayetteville, N.C. -9.70 SPHL Fayetteville FireAntz X-League Cape Fear Heroes
184 Kinston, N.C. -10.00   CAR Kinston Indians
185 Stockton, Calif. -10.84 CAL Stockton Ports, AHL Stockton Heat ECHL Stockton Thunder, AIF California Eagles, PASL California Cougars
186 Salina, Kan. -11.03 CIF Salina Liberty  
187 Orem, Utah -11.73 PL Orem Owlz NBA D-League Utah Flash
188 Mobile, Ala. -12.62 SL Mobile Bay Bears SIFL Mobile Bay Tarpons
189 Pittsfield, Mass. -13.25   C-A Pittsfield Colonials
190 Tucson, Ariz. -13.79   PCL Tucson Padres
191 Normal-Bloomington, Ill -14.74 FL Normal CornBelters, X-League Bloomington Edge CHL Bloomington Blaze
192 Yakima, Wash. -15.47   NWL Yakima Bears
193 Brockton, Mass. -17.37   C-A Brockton Rox
194 Port Huron, Mich. -17.97   CHL Port Huron Icehawks, CIFL Port Huron Patriots
195 Hoffman Estates-Schaumburg, Ill. -23.29 FL Schaumburg Boomers, MASL Chicago Mustangs ECHL Chicago Express, CPIFL Chicago Slaughter
196 Jamestown, N.Y. -24.25   NYPL Jamestown Jammers
197 Prescott Valley, Ariz. -27.44   CHL Arizona Sundogs, IFL Arizona Adrenaline
198 Lake Charles, La. -27.64   PIFL Louisiana Swashbucklers
199 Laredo, Texas -27.76 AA Laredo Lemurs CHL Laredo Bucks, LSFL Laredo Rattlesnakes
200 Worcester, Mass. -27.89   AHL Worcester Sharks, C-A Worcester Tornadoes
201 Louisville, Ky. -28.38 IL Louisville Bats, USL Louisville City FC CPIFL Kentucky Xtreme, PASL Louisville Lightning
202 San Angelo, Texas -31.04 CIF San Angelo Bandits ULB San Angelo Colts
203 Albany, Ga. -33.15   PIFL Albany Panthers
204 Abilene, Texas -34.93   NAL Abilene Prairie Dogs, LSFL Abilene Bombers
205 Kent, Wash. -36.50   MASL Seattle Impact FC
206 Pikeville, Ky. -38.09   CIFL Eastern Kentucky Drillers
207 Johnstown, Pa. -38.91   UIFL Johnstown Generals
208 Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii -42.12   NABL Na Koa Ikaika Maui
209 Rio Grande Valley, Texas -46.36 NBA D-League Rio Grande Valley Vipers, X-League Rio Grande Valley Sol, MASL Brownsville Barracudas ULB Brownsville Charros, ULB Edinburg Roadrunners,  ULB Rio Grande Valley Whitewings, ULB Texas Thunder, CHL Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, LSFL McAllen Toros, MASL Hidalgo La Fiera
210 Casper, Wyo. -51.06   PL Casper Ghosts, IFL Wyoming Cavalry
211 Shreveport-Bossier City, La. -55.63   AA Shreveport-Bossier Captains, CHL Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs
212 Odessa, Texas -60.52   CHL Odessa Jackalopes, LSFL West Texas Wildcatters
* Team folded Aug. 9. See Methodology for how this will affect market’s score in the future.


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