Ranking the 4 Major Sports Leagues: MLB, NHL, NBA and the NFL

4. NHL - The National Hockey League

Even if the NHL didn't cancel their season in 2005, they would still be the last of the so-called big four. Hockey is not our sport (just take a look at any particular roster and try and pronounce the names); that's obvious enough. But it seems to have been declining in America for several years now (regardless of the strike/lockout bullshit). The NHL belongs to Canada and Europe despite the fact that most of the franchises exist in America. The National Hockey League has done some strange things with their franchise too. Who would have ever though we'd have hockey teams in Nashville, Atlanta and Raleigh (not too mention two franchises in Florida). The NHL seems very serious about putting as many teams in the areas that play the least amount of hockey as possible. However, since they've returned in 2006, the new rule changes have helped. I don't think the NHL has to worry about falling to number five anytime soon.

3. NBA - The National Basketball Association

I have a lot of problems with the NBA. There is no other league that does a worse job with their players and the improvement of their game. I realize that basketball on a world level has never been stronger, but here on the home front the game needs some serious changes. David Stern has gone about things in the wrong fashion. Instead of creating a dress code for his players he should have created a playing code. Stern wants to reconnect with Middle America (read: white people) but he's failed to realize that the people aren't watching because the players look thugs; they're tuning out because the majority of the games stink. I wish I could watch one NBA game during the regular season and not feel like every player on the court wasn't trying until the final six minutes. The playoffs have been great and the NBA will always do well in urban areas, but if Stern wants to take the league to the next level he should worry more about his players' attitudes and not their bling

2. MLB - Major League Baseball