Dynasty (sports) - Dynasties in Question

Dynasties in Question

Whether a team has achieved a dynasty is often subjective, and can be a frequent topic of debate among sports fans. Only a few leagues (e.g., National Hockey League) formally recognize dynasties, and there are no universally accepted criteria. Most disputes relate to teams that dominated within a conference or division, but either failed to win championships or infrequently won championships. This is exacerbated in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A), where the national champion is determined, at least in part, by poll rather than through a tournament.

• Buffalo Bills won 4 AFC Championships in a row from 1990–1993 (three times by a spread of greater than 14 points), the only team ever to do so, and for this they are sometimes considered a dynasty. However, they went on to lose the Super Bowl all four times.
• Boise State Broncos football from 1998 to present. At 113–26, their 81.29% win rate is the highest in the nation. Won 10 of 12 conference championships from 1999 to 2009, undefeated in conference play in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009, perfect seasons in 2006 and 2009, but has never selected to play in the Division I-A national championship.
• San Antonio Spurs of 1998 to 2008 (4 NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007) in 9 seasons) are considered a dynasty by some, but not by others because they did not win consecutive titles.
• Pittsburgh Steelers of the 2000s (decade) (2 Super Bowl championships in 4 years (2005 and 2008), 6 division titles (2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010), 5 conference championship game appearances (2001, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010)
• Detroit Red Wings of the mid 1990s through the late 2000s (decade). Although not officially listed by the NHL as a dynasty, the Red Wings won 4 Stanley Cups in 11 seasons (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008) and went to the Stanley Cup Finals 6 times in 14 seasons (1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008, and 2009). The team had the best team record during both the 1990s and 2000s (decade), accumulating the most points of any franchise during both decades. The Red Wings won the President's Trophy for the best regular season record in the NHL in 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and won their respective division 13 times during this span.
• St. Louis Cardinals of the 2000s (decade) 6 Division titles (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009), 7 trips to the National League Championship Series (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012), 3 Pennants (2004, 2006, 2011) and 2 World Series championships (2006 and 2011)