Hawaii is renowned for its beautiful climate and natural attractions, but its remote location in the Pacific Ocean has made it difficult for professional sports teams to establish a presence there. Despite its reputation as a sports paradise, the state has no major league teams like the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL. This is because it would take between 9 and 11 HOURS of flight time from cities such as Miami, Jacksonville and Boston to Hawaii, and such a long journey would have a negative impact on the cities. North Dakota is another state without professional sports teams in the major leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL.
States without professional sports teams never compete at the highest level in major sports leagues, such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL. Mexico has the largest NFL fan base outside the United States, and American football has become the second most popular sport in the country. Despite its small size, Delaware has a strong sports culture and is home to several successful college sports programs. New Hampshire also has a strong sports culture and is home to several successful college sports programs.
Hawaii also hosts several high-profile events every year, such as the Ironman Triathlon World Championship and the Sony Open golf tournament in Hawaii. While some regions may have smaller local or university sports teams, they still need a significant professional sports presence. Philadelphia is the only city where all four major sports teams (the MLB Phillies, the NBA 76ers, the NFL Eagles, and the NHL Flyers) play their respective championship games or series in the same season (in 1980), although only one of the four (the Phillies) actually won the championship. This demonstrates that having a professional sports team in a state requires more than just an ideal climate and natural facilities - it requires an entire culture of sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game.
