Vegas Golden Knights Fans Belong In Fandom 250

FanSided released it’s 2017 version of Fandom 250, and for some reason, Vegas Golden Knights fans didn’t make the list.

I can respect FanSided’s decision on leaving the Vegas Golden Knights fans off of the 2017 Fandom 250 list. But it doesn’t mean I’m pleased with their decision. As a matter of fact, I’m really not happy with their choice to leave the Knights off of Fandom 2017.

You read that right Golden Knights fans; I’ll repeat it one more time for you. FanSided compiled a list of its Fandom 250 however they decided to leave Knights fans OFF their list which I find extremely laughable. That means out of all the possible fandoms out there between sports, lifestyle, and entertainment, you’re telling me they couldn’t crack the Top 250? I’m sorry, but that’s just so wrong in every way imaginable.

There are only EIGHT NHL teams on Fandom 250 and that’s shocking to me at least. The NFL had 16 teams, the NBA had 12 teams, and MLB had 11 teams. Are you kidding me? The NHL has some of the best diehard fans out of any sport!

By the numbers

Where do I even begin? In 2015, the Las Vegas expansion team held a season ticket drive, and they earned 5,000 season ticket deposits in a DAY AND A HALF. The drive ended when they reached their goal of 10,000 deposits and 13,200 overall.

In June of 2016, Las Vegas officially received their first major professional sporting franchise. In July of that year, Owner Bill Foley named George McPhee general manager of hockey operations. And of course, who could forget the unveiling of the team name in November when thousands showed up outside at T-Mobile Arena. And just like that, the Vegas Golden Knights were born.

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Fast forward to December of 2017 and not only is this team performing but they are selling out each and every night. That’s right, according to ESPN, Vegas is filling the building and then some at T-Mobile Arena. The expansion franchise is third in home attendance percentage at 102.6% with Chicago in first at 109.5% and Minnesota at 105.6%.  The fact that the Golden Knights are selling out standing room tickets further proves my point.

After taking a look at road attendance percentage, Vegas comes in at number 10 in the NHL at 96.3%. That’s higher than Nashville, Detroit, and the New York Rangers. That tells me fans want to see the Golden Knights more than the Predators, Red Wings or Rangers. And those NHL three teams made Fandom 250.

And not to pick on Detroit too much but I have a question. Why are they on Fandom250? Yes, they “sellout” the building but where are the fans? Take a look at this picture during last Wednesday’s game versus the division rival Boston Bruins.

And here against the Buffalo Sabres:

The Detroit Red Wings went to the playoffs for two decades straight and had won multiple Stanley Cups. They missed the playoffs for the first time in the last 20 years, and their fans finally get a new arena, but they don’t show up? And this team made it in the Fandom 250 at #238 and not the Golden Knights? That has to be a mistake.

I’m not saying the Golden Knights fan base deserves to be over the Blackhawks faithful or Penguins nation. But Vegas has come farther than anyone ever expected.

To build from the ground up into what they’re doing right now is incredible. Just look at this crowd and feel the noise during Reilly Smith’s overtime game-winner and Shea Theodore’s buzzer beater from fans perspectives. You can just feel the buzz with this team around the city, and it’s been a constant since the expansion draft.

Let me go over the list on some of the teams and players that are on the list. The Cleveland Browns at #144? Wait, why are the CLEVELAND BROWNS on Fandom 250? The laughing stock of the NFL doesn’t deserve to be on this list I’m sorry Browns fans, but a fanbase that wears paper bags over their heads year after year doesn’t deserve to be on this list. And let’s just say they don’t sell out their games either

Sidney Crosby at #201? I like Crosby and what he brings to the game of hockey but come on, why are players on the list? I thought sports was a team game?

Let me give a few more quick examples: Why is Eastern Mississippi Community College at #247 over a major professional sporting franchise in Las Vegas? Ghostbusters at #213? A movie that came out last year? And who the heck is Joy Cho? She came in at #182 on FanSided’s Fandom250.

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Overall, I’m just disappointed with this list. The Vegas Golden Knights fans have shown passion and excitement early on in the season. After waiting all these years for a hockey team, they finally receive one, they sell out the building every night, and they don’t even earn any recognition? We’ll just have to show FanSided what the Golden Knights fans are all about with a potential playoff run in 2018.