When it comes to conversations amongst fellow sporting fans, there is one topic that will turn the friendliest of discussions into an all-out argument. Just who is ‘the greatest sporting team of all time?’
How does one determine the ‘greatest’ team of all time? Every individual has their own methodology for defining what is often coined the term ‘GOAT’, not to mention the overwhelming bias of passionate fans elevating their own team into contention.
So how do you decide on the greatest team of all time? By the number of championship titles won? Impressive, but these criteria alone can’t define sporting greatness. Do we consider sporting fairy tales or long-standing dynasties? Maybe a perfect season or a team that defies all the odds.
Even that we can’t agree on, but it’s likely that the true GOATs will usually tick a number of these boxes – a whole lot more.
Without further ado, in no particular order, and with the clear intention to start a fight, here’s our Insider list of the top 4 sporting teams of all time!
2013 New Zealand All Blacks
The All Blacks have long been the benchmark in the world of rugby union. Since the introduction of the World Rugby Rankings in 2003, the All Blacks have maintained the number 1 position for roughly 85% of the time. It was in 2013 that the All Blacks soared to new heights, becoming the first professional Test team to record a 100% record throughout a season, with 14 wins from 14 tests.
1995-96 Chicago Bulls
Twenty-five years ago, the Chicago Bulls embarked on what was the greatest season in NBA history, going on to win a record 72 games within the regulation season. The previously held Lakers record for most wins in a regular season was beaten by this Chicago Bulls outfit, led by arguably the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan. The Chicago Bulls then went on to begin their second championship three-peat of the 1990’s.
1927 New York Yankees
To many baseball fans, the 1927 New York Yankees are the benchmark of baseball dominance. This team went on to win 110 games from 154, finishing a staggering 19 games ahead of the second placed team. If this winning percentage wasn’t enough to impress, then their home run statistics would sure do the job. As a team, the New York Yankees hit 158 homers for that season, 60 of which were hit by Baseball’s Hall of Famer ‘Babe Ruth’. To put this in perspective, Ruth hit more home runs by himself than 12 of the 16 teams in that MLB season.
1972 Miami Dolphins
The 1972 Miami Dolphins football team remains the only team in NFL history to have played a complete perfect season. The Dolphins, who won all fourteen of their regular season matches, went on to win the remaining three post season games to secure the Super Bowl VII championship title and claim an unrivalled record of 17 – 0.