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Five NBA franchises with the most fans

(Image via https://x.com/Lakers_World_Fr)

From the MLS to the NHL, the people of America passionately follow their beloved sports and their favorite teams. The NBA is certainly no different, with basketball’s exhilarating offering creating a great spectacle for fans to be a part of. Some NBA franchises pull in more fans than others, though.

In the same way that soccer clubs in England like Manchester United have larger fanbases than teams like AFC Bournemouth, the same applies to the 30 teams in the NBA. No matter the size of the team, these diehard supporters still attend games, they chant throughout any tense encounters, they tend to indulge in fantasy basketball, and fans also back the likes of Boston Celtics to win it all again this season after looking at the NBA odds of +310. Some teams are just bigger than others, though. It doesn’t mean they’re necessarily better than the rest, either.

While finding out the exact number of fans for certain teams is tricky, social media is an excellent indicator, particularly Facebook given the abundance of NBA fans that use the platform. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at five of the biggest NBA franchises with the most fans below.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have the biggest following in the NBA. With over 21 million fans on Facebook, plus the packed-out arenas they tend to create, this iconic basketball name is still the main attraction after being relocated from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in time for the 1960/1961 season. It’s fair to say their relocation went better than expected, with LA’s favorite sports team winning 17 championships and having icons like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant on their books over the years.

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Chicago Bulls

When people around the world think of the Chicago Bulls, legendary figures from the sport tend to spring to mind, be it Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen. A global brand as well as a well-followed sports team, the Bulls have just under 17 million fans on Facebook right now after winning six NBA championships from 1991 to 1998. Despite their lack of success in the recent era, the Chicago Bulls’ overall impact on the sport of basketball makes them one of the best-supported teams around today. Simply put, without the Bulls, basketball wouldn’t be the same.

Houston Rockets

After being founded in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets, the move to Houston in 1971 eventually created a powerhouse in the basketball arena. The newly-created Houston Rockets reigned supreme during a tense 1994 NBA Finals appearance thanks to iconic players like Hakeem Olajuwon, while another impressive display saw the team record a memorable win in 1995. Fans of the Rockets have been starved of success in the modern era, though, but with around 16 million supporters on Facebook, they’re a strong community.

Miami Heat

(Image via https://x.com/MiamiHEAT)

Miami’s population has always got behind the Miami Heat, and it’s easy to see why when you assess some of the stars that have donned their jersey, such as Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O’Neal. Both players were key during their NBA Championship win in 2006, while victories in 2012 and 2013 will never be forgotten by their 14 million fans on Facebook.

Golden State Warriors

Founded in 1946 as the Philadelphia Warriors, since 1971, the Golden State Warriors have been playing out of San Francisco. 2015 was a huge year for the franchise, after world-class operators like Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson led the team to an unforgettable championship triumph. Also winning in 2017, 2018, and 2022, their modern-day successes helped to establish a community of just under 13 million fans on Facebook.

By Chris Bates

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