Consecutive championships won:
Two
Three
Four
NHL
11 repeats
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
Montreal Canadiens
New York Islanders
Edmonton Oilers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Detroit Red Wings
NBA
11 repeats
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago Bulls
Houston Rockets
Detroit Pistons
Miami Heat
NFL
5 repeats
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
New England Patriots
MLB
4 repeats
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
New York Yankees
Toronto Blue Jays
Consecutive championships won:
Two
Three
Four
NHL
NBA
11 repeats
11 repeats
1976
2017
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
Montreal Canadiens
Los Angeles Lakers
New York Islanders
Chicago Bulls
Edmonton Oilers
Houston Rockets
Pittsburgh Penguins
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Red Wings
Miami Heat
NFL
MLB
5 repeats
4 repeats
1976
2017
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Yankees
San Francisco 49ers
Toronto Blue Jays
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
New England Patriots
Consecutive championships won:
Two
Three
Four
NHL
NBA
NFL
MLB
11 repeats
11 repeats
5 repeats
4 repeats
1976
2017
1976
2017
1976
2017
1976
2017
Which teams have repeated
Montreal Canadiens
Los Angeles Lakers
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Yankees
New York Islanders
Chicago Bulls
San Francisco 49ers
Toronto Blue Jays
Edmonton Oilers
Houston Rockets
Dallas Cowboys
Pittsburgh Penguins
Detroit Pistons
Denver Broncos
Detroit Red Wings
Miami Heat
New England Patriots
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in this year’s championship game, postponing their chance at becoming the first team in NFL history to win multiple back-to-back Super Bowls.
It would have been an incredible feat — especially considering how few NFL and MLB teams win back-to-back championships compared to NBA and NHL teams. Since the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, the reigning champ won the title again in roughly three out of 10 seasons.
[These days in baseball, every batter is trying to find an angle]
There’s clearly a disparity among sports, and while no one can say exactly what’s behind it, sports enthusiasts have theories:
An NBA superstar can improve a team far more than an elite starting pitcher
Superstars matter more in the NBA than in other sports for a simple reason: They play more.
[The Top 40 players since the ABA/NBA merger]
In last year’s NBA Finals, LeBron James played an average of 42 minutes per game. Of the four hours of basketball in five games, James spent just 28 minutes on the bench. He was on the court — playing both offense and defense — for close to 90 percent of the series. And since NBA teams play just five men at a time, James represented a fifth of the Cavaliers team during the 212 minutes he played.
How much the stars played in
the finals
Hockey goaltenders and basketball point
guards play more of the finals than football
quarterbacks and baseball pitchers.
Each of the players listed below played the
most for his position in the recent finals.
Matt Murray
Goaltender, NHL
358:49 time on ice
0.3%
of finals
not played
Played 99.7%
of finals
1:11 time on bench
LeBron James
Small forward, NBA
212 minutes played
88%
12%
28 minutes on bench
Nick Foles
Quarterback, NFL
75 snaps played
41%
59%
106 snaps not played
Justin Verlander
Starting pitcher, MLB
12 innings played
18%
82%
54 innings not played
How much the stars played in the finals
Hockey goaltenders and basketball point guards play more of the finals
than football quarterbacks and baseball pitchers. Each of the players listed below
played the most for his position in the recent finals.
358:49 time on ice
1:11 time on bench
Matt Murray
Goaltender, NHL
0.3% of finals
not played
Played 99.7% of finals
212 minutes played
28 minutes on bench
LeBron James
Small forward, NBA
88%
12%
75 snaps played
106 snaps not played
Nick Foles
Quarterback, NFL
41%
59%
Justin Verlander
12 innings played
54 innings not played
Starting pitcher, MLB
18%
82%
Football and baseball players, by contrast, are one of a crowd when on the field — and they’re on the field far less frequently.
Pitchers are an extreme example. Astros ace Justin Verlander threw just 12 innings in the World Series. That works out to less than a fifth of the series.
The best hockey players, too, spend a significant portion of their games on the bench. But there’s one important exception: the goaltender. And nearly all back-to-back champion hockey teams had an elite goalie, said NHL writer Gare Joyce.
“Goaltending is like if your ace played every game in major league baseball,” he said.
Joyce said two factors were at play in the NHL having more frequent repeat champions. There was no NHL salary cap until 2005, so wealthier teams could spend far more money on talent than their competitors could. And there were fewer teams in the early years to compete for players and the championship title.
Winning teams stay together in the NBA and NHL
In all four leagues, keeping a team together is crucial: Championship winners tend to have lower roster turnover than the league average. But that gap is especially striking in the NBA and NHL.
Average roster turnover after
each season, since 1976
Championship
teams
All other
teams
NHL
30%
38%
NFL
34%
38%
NBA
39%
47%
MLB
40%
45%
Average roster turnover after each season, since 1976
Championship teams
All other teams
30%
38%
NHL
NFL
34%
38%
NBA
39%
47%
MLB
40%
45%
When the Islanders won four straight championships from 1980 to 1983, just 16 percent of their team changed from year to year, on average.
Early NHL teams were stacked
The Canadiens, Islanders and Oilers of the late ’70s and ’80s each had a monopoly on the best players. When the Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1976, they had nine future Hall of Famers on their roster. Their opponent in the finals, the Philadelphia Flyers, had three. The Canadiens went on to win three more titles in a row.
Hall of Famers on the
1976 Montreal Canadiens
Yvan Cournoyer
Ken Dryden
Bob Gainey
Jacques Lemaire
Guy Lafleur
Guy Lapointe
Larry Robinson
Serge Savard
Steve Shutt
Hall of Famers on the 1976 Montreal Canadiens
Yvan Cournoyer
Ken Dryden
Bob Gainey
Guy Lafleur
Guy Lapointe
Jacques Lemaire
Larry Robinson
Serge Savard
Steve Shutt
Hall of Famers on the 1976 Montreal Canadiens
Yvan Cournoyer
Ken Dryden
Bob Gainey
Guy Lafleur
Guy Lapointe
Jacques Lemaire
Larry Robinson
Serge Savard
Steve Shutt
Baseball and football require more luck
Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell said that no team wins the World Series without a lot of luck.
The gap between great and okay MLB teams is smaller than in other sports. The best MLB teams win roughly 60 percent of their games, Boswell said. The NBA champion Golden State Warriors won 82 percent of their games, for comparison.
[How many ballparks have you visited?]
The best baseball teams rise to the top of the standings through a 162-game season. But a playoff series lasts a maximum of seven games, so luck plays a bigger role. Boswell put the chances of a defending champion winning any given playoff series at less than 55 percent, and since teams must win three consecutive series to win the championship, it’s no wonder the “best” teams don’t always win out. And good luck winning out two years in a row.
Chance of a World Series champion
winning it again the following year
Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell said a championship team has at most
a 90 percent chance of making the playoffs the following year. If we then assume the team has a roughly 50-50 chance at winning each series, here’s how often we might expect repeat champions in baseball.
Chance of making the playoffs
the following season
=
90%
Winning one playoff series
×
=
90%
50%
45%
Winning the pennant
(two playoff series)
×
×
=
90%
50%
50%
23%
Winning the championship
(three playoff series)
×
×
×
=
90%
50%
50%
50%
11%
Chance of a World Series champion winning it again the following year
Post sports columnist Thomas Boswell said a championship team has at most
a 90 percent chance of making the playoffs the following year. If we then assume the team has a roughly 50-50 chance at winning each series, here’s how often we might expect repeat champions in baseball.
Chance of making the playoffs
the following season
=
90%
90%
×
50%
=
45%
Winning one playoff series
Winning the pennant
(two playoff series)
90%
×
50%
×
50%
=
23%
Winning the championship
(three playoff series)
90%
×
50%
×
50%
×
50%
=
11%
Since 1970, the team with the best record has gone on to win the title just 11 times. Compare that to 21 times in the NBA.
[These MLB teams are poised to run away with their divisions]
Football takes length of season to the other extreme. Just 16 games determine who make the playoffs and who doesn’t. A team that makes it to the postseason can win the Super Bowl just three games later. Conversely, one playoff loss is season-ending.
Boswell said the football statistic that best correlates to winning is turnovers. And some turnovers are just plain lucky. Try predicting how a fumbled football will bounce.
That inherent randomness, combined with the do-or-die nature of the playoffs, makes it difficult for a football team to string together back-to-back championships.
Explore championship streaks for yourself
Made playoffs
Lost in the finals
Two in a row
Won championship
Four in a row
Three in a row
Made playoffs
Lost in the finals
Won championship
Two in a row
Three in a row
Four in a row
Made playoffs
Lost in the finals
Won championship
Two in a row
Three in a row
Four in a row
NBA
Eastern
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
Led by Michael Jordan, the Bulls won six championships in eight years, including two “three-peats.”
1980
1990
2000
2010
The most recent back-to-back champions in the NBA were the Heat with the “Big Three” — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Western
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
In 1987, Lakers Coach Pat Riley promised a repeat championship — and the team pulled it off in 1988.
1980
1990
2000
2010
The Spurs with Tim Duncan won three championships from 2003 to 2007, but never back-to-back.
NBA
Eastern
1980
1990
2000
2010
Atlantic
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors
Led by Michael Jordan, the Bulls won six championships in eight years, including two “three-peats.”
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks
1980
1990
2000
2010
Southeast
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Washington Wizards
The most recent back-to-back champions in the NBA were the Heat with the “Big Three” — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
Western
1980
1990
2000
2010
Northwest
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz
In 1987, Lakers Coach Pat Riley promised a repeat championship — and the team pulled it off in 1988.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Pacific
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
1980
1990
2000
2010
Southwest
Dallas Mavericks
Houston Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs with Tim Duncan won three championships from 2003 to 2007, but never back-to-back.
NBA
Eastern
1980
1990
2000
2010
Atlantic
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors
Led by Michael Jordan, the Bulls won six championships in eight years, including two “three-peats.”
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons
Indiana Pacers
Milwaukee Bucks
The most recent back-to-back champions in the NBA were the Heat with the “Big Three” — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Southeast
Atlanta Hawks
Charlotte Hornets
Miami Heat
Orlando Magic
Washington Wizards
Western
1980
1990
2000
2010
Northwest
Denver Nuggets
Minnesota Timberwolves
Oklahoma City Thunder
Portland Trail Blazers
Utah Jazz
In 1987, Lakers Coach Pat Riley promised a repeat championship — and the team pulled it off in 1988.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Pacific
Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Phoenix Suns
Sacramento Kings
1980
1990
2000
2010
Southwest
Dallas Mavericks
Houston Rockets
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs with Tim Duncan won three championships from 2003 to 2007, but never back-to-back.
NHL
Eastern
1980
1990
2000
2010
In 1979, the Canadiens all-star team pulled off the first “four-peat” in modern NHL history.
1980
1990
2000
2010
With Mike Bossy, Billy Smith and Bryan Trottier, the Islanders swept four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.
Western
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
The Oilers with superstar Wayne Gretzky won two sets of back-to-back championships.
NHL
In 1979, the Canadiens all-star team pulled off the first “four-peat” in modern NHL history.
Eastern
1980
1990
2000
2010
Atlantic
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
With Mike Bossy, Billy Smith and Bryan Trottier, the Islanders swept four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Metropolitan
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
The Penguins recently won back-to-back titles.
Western
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets
The Oilers with superstar Wayne Gretzky won two sets of back-to-back championships.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Pacific
Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
The 2005 Stanley Cup was canceled due to a labor dispute
NHL
Eastern
1980
1990
2000
2010
Atlantic
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Tampa Bay Lightning
Toronto Maple Leafs
In 1979, the Canadiens all-star team pulled off the first “four-peat” in modern NHL history.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Metropolitan
Carolina Hurricanes
Columbus Blue Jackets
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
With Mike Bossy, Billy Smith and Bryan Trottier, the Islanders swept four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983.
The Penguins recently won back-to-back titles.
Western
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago Blackhawks
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Winnipeg Jets
The Oilers with superstar Wayne Gretzky won two sets of back-to-back championships.
1980
1990
2000
2010
Pacific
Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
The 2005 Stanley Cup was canceled due to a labor dispute
MLB
AL
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
Led by the “Core Four” — Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera — the Yankees won four World Series in five years.
1980
1990
2000
2010
With Dennis Eckersley and Manager Tony La Russa, the A’s made three World Series appearances in a row, but won only once.
NL
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
With Manager Bruce Bochy, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval, the Giants won three World Series in five years, but never back-to-back.
MLB
AL
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Led by the “Core Four” — Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera — the Yankees won four World Series in five years.
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays repeated in 1993 with Roberto Alomar and General Manager Pat Gillick.
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
With Dennis Eckersley and Manager Tony La Russa, the A’s made three World Series appearances in a row, but won only once.
NL
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals
With Manager Bruce Bochy, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval, the Giants won three World Series in five years, but never back-to-back.
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
The 1994 World Series was canceled due to a strike
MLB
AL
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Indians
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals
Minnesota Twins
Led by the “Core Four” — Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera — the Yankees won four World Series in five years.
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Baltimore Orioles
Boston Red Sox
New York Yankees
Tampa Bay Rays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays repeated in 1993 with Roberto Alomar and General Manager Pat Gillick.
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Houston Astros
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Texas Rangers
With Dennis Eckersley and Manager Tony La Russa, the A’s made three World Series appearances in a row, but won only once.
NL
1980
1990
2000
2010
Central
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
St. Louis Cardinals
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
The 1994 World Series was canceled due to a strike
With Manager Bruce Bochy, Madison Bumgarner, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval, the Giants won three World Series in five years, but never back-to-back.
NFL
AFC
1980
1990
2000
2010
The Patriots with Tom Brady won three championships in four years.
1980
1990
2000
2010
With nine players who have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, the Steelers won back-to-back championships in 1978 and 1979.
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
The Broncos with Terrell Davis, John Elway and Shannon Sharpe won in 1997 and 1998.
NFC
1980
1990
2000
2010
With “Triplets” Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years.
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
1980
1990
2000
2010
Boasting Joe Montana and four other future Hall of Fame players, the 49ers won Super Bowls in 1988 and 1989.
NFL
The Bills made it to the Super Bowl four years in a row, but never won.
AFC
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
The Patriots with Tom Brady won three championships in four years.
1980
1990
2000
2010
North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers
With nine players who have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, the Steelers won back-to-back championships in 1978 and 1979.
1980
1990
2000
2010
South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans
The Broncos with Terrell Davis, John Elway and Shannon Sharpe won in 1997 and 1998.
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers
With “Triplets” Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years.
NFC
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
1980
1990
2000
2010
North
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
1980
1990
2000
2010
South
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Boasting Joe Montana and four other future Hall of Fame players, the 49ers won Super Bowls in 1988 and 1989.
NFL
The Patriots with Tom Brady won three championships in four years.
The Bills made it to the Super Bowl four years in a row, but never won.
AFC
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
1980
1990
2000
2010
North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers
With nine players who have been inducted to the Hall of Fame, the Steelers won back-to-back championships in 1978 and 1979.
1980
1990
2000
2010
South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans
The Broncos with Terrell Davis, John Elway and Shannon Sharpe won in 1997 and 1998.
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers
With “Triplets” Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls in four years.
NFC
1980
1990
2000
2010
East
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
Washington Redskins
1980
1990
2000
2010
North
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
1980
1990
2000
2010
South
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1980
1990
2000
2010
West
Arizona Cardinals
Los Angeles Rams
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Boasting Joe Montana and four other future Hall of Fame players, the 49ers won Super Bowls in 1988 and 1989.
Mike Hume contributed to this report.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Indiana Pacers won back-to-back championships. Rather, it was the Detroit Pistons. A previous version of this story was missing data for the St. Louis Cardinals.
About this story
Note: Franchises that changed location or team name are presented with their current name.
Sources: Sports Reference, NHL Hall of Fame.
Originally published July 13, 2017.
Photos from the Associated Press, Mark Humphrey/AP, Jason Miller/Getty Images, Al Bello/Getty Images, David Richard/USA Today Sports, Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP, Dylan Buell/Getty Images.
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