Team or individual that dominates their sport for an extended length of time From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In sports, a dynasty is a team or individual that dominates their sport or league for an extended length of time. Some leagues usually maintain official lists of dynasties,[citation needed] often as part of a hall of fame,[citation needed] but in many cases, whether a team or individual has achieved a dynasty is subjective. This can result in frequent topic of debate among sports fans due to lack of consensus and agreement in the many different variables and criteria that fans may use to define a sports dynasty.[1][2][3]Merriam-Webster describes a dynasty as a "sports franchise which has a prolonged run of successful seasons".[4] Within the same sport, or even the same league, dynasties may be concurrent with each other. This is a list of teams that have been called a dynasty after periods of success.
In sports, a dynasty denotes a team or individual that dominated their sport or league for an extended period. The use of the term to characterize such prolonged success emerged in the early 20th century.[4]
The determination of whether a team or individual has achieved a dynasty is subjective. This results in debate among sports fans due to a lack of consensus and agreement on the different variables and criteria that could be used to define a dynasty.[1][2][5]
Club
American Major League Soccer
D.C. United, 1996 to 1999 (three MLS championships in four years and two Supporters' Shields). In addition to the MLS Championships D.C. United won other American and regional titles during this time. In 1996 D.C. United won the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and in 1998 D.C. United won the CONCACAF Champions Cup as the best team in North America and later in the same year won the InterAmerican Cup against the champions of South America.[6]
LA Galaxy, 2009 to 2015 (three MLS championships in four years and two Supporters Shields as first place team in the regular season. Additionally, the team has four Western Conference titles and has had great players such as David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane.[7]
Liverpool between 1972 and 1990. During those eighteen years, the club became English champions on eleven occasions, under the successive guidance of Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish. Other domestic honours won during the period were the FA Cups in 1974, 1986 and 1989 and the League Cups, won on four consecutive occasions from 1981 to 1984. This dominance was extended to the European stage, beginning in 1972–73 when the club won the second-tier UEFA Cup. Further success in this competition arrived in 1975–76, before Liverpool embarked on a run of four top-tier European Cup wins between 1976–77 and 1983–84. No other English club has achieved such success in the premier European club competition since then. Liverpool reached their finest hour in the 1983–84 season when, with Joe Fagan at the helm, they became English champions while also winning the League Cup and the European Cup final against Roma.[8]
Manchester United created one of the biggest dynasties that lasted from the start of the Premier League in 1992–93 to 2012–13. After six seasons of Sir Alex Ferguson rebuilding the club, the team won the first-ever Premier League title, which was also their eighth top-tier league title. This victory was only the beginning of dominance, as the club won the league title twelve more times, setting a new English record of 20 top-tier titles. Manchester United also lifted the FA Cup during this period with victories in 1993–94, 1995–96, 1998–99 and 2003–04. Furthermore, United became the Champions of Europe twice during that time span, as well as reaching a further two finals. They won the Champions League in 1998–99 (completing the treble of league title, FA Cup and European Cup) and 2007–08. During this time, the club finished no lower than third in each Premier League season.[8]
Manchester City succeeded their rivals as the pre-eminent team in the Premier League, having won eight titles since 2011–12 Premier League. Additionally, they have won two FA Cups and six league cups in that time span. City's dominion of the league strengthened since Pep Guardiola took charge of the team in 2016; they won six of the last seven titles as of 2024, including a four-in-a-row sequence. Guardiola also guided them to the treble, winning the league, FA Cup and their maiden Champions League, also becoming just the second English team to accomplish the feat.[14]
French Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain from 2012 to present in Ligue 1. PSG won seven Ligue 1 championships in eight seasons (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020). They also won four straight Coupe de France titles from 2015 to 2018 with another in 2020, as well as 5 straight Coupe de la Ligue titles from 2014 to 2018.[15]
German Bundesliga
Bayern Munich from 1971 to present. Bayern have won the Bundesliga a record 32 times, more than twice its closest Bundesliga contender. Bayern also won the European Cup three times in a row from 1974 to 1976, and won the Champions League subsequently in 2001, 2013, and 2020. Bayern became the first German club to win the quadruple in the 2012–13 season, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League and DFL-Supercup. They won eleven consecutive league titles, from 2013 to 2023, until their winning streak was broken by Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023–24 season.[16]
Pro Vercelli from 1908 to 1913 in Italian football having won five Italian championship titles in six years. Also, the Vercelli's club players during that period constituted the backbone of the nascent national team.[18]
From the 1971–72 to the 1985–86, during Giampiero Boniperti presidency and under the successive management of former footballers Čestmír Vycpálek, Carlo Parola and Giovanni Trapattoni, became Italian champions nine times and won the Italian Cup twice, establishing the most enduring dynasty in Italian association football history. During the second half of the 1970s, Trapattoni successfully implemented in the team the Zona mista tactic scheme. Such triumphs allowed i Bianconeri to form the backbone of the Italy national team during Enzo Bearzot's era, including the 1978 FIFA World Cup semifinalist and 1982 world championsquads, achieving with the latter its first title in the competition in 44 years.[20][21][22] The club's dominance was extended to the international spotlight starting in 1977 when the club won the UEFA Cup without foreign footballers, an unprecedented achievement for any country's team.[23] Subsequently, the club lifted the Cup Winners' Cup and the European Champions Cup becoming the first club in the history of European football to have won all three seasonal confederation competitions.[24][25] Finally, after their triumph in the 1984 UEFA Super Cup and the 1985 Intercontinental Cup, the first title for a European side since the restructuring of the tournament occurred five years beforehand; the club also became the first in football history—and remained the world's only one until 2022—to have won all possible official continental tournaments and the world title,[26][27][28] leading the UEFA rankings for the first time in the decade's ending.
A further triumphs era for the club was established in the late 1990s and early 2000s when Juventus, under the coaching of Marcello Lippi, won five Serie A titles in nine years from 1995 to 2003. In that period, the Torinese club also won one Italian Cup, four Supercoppa Italiana, one Intercontinental Cup, one Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup and one UEFA Intertoto Cup, leading also the confederation classify in the ending 1990s.[29]
A renewed successful period begins from 2011–12 to 2019–20 seasons, during Andrea Agnelli presidency and with the successive coaching of former player Antonio Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Maurizio Sarri; where the club won nine straight Serie A titles and four Italian Cups in a row (2015–2018), establishing new all-time record of successive triumphs in both competitions. Also, in the league championship, the club was the first in 20 years and the first in a championship with 20 teams contestants to have won a title unbeaten (2011–12) and has established the historic record of points made in the competition (102 in 2013–14) as well as the records of most wins in a single season (33 in 2013–14) and most consecutive wins during a single season (25 in 2015–16).[30] During this time, Juventus reached a record of four national doubles in a row since 2015 to 2018 and one Italian treble (2016),c won also four national super cups and also appeared in two Champions League finals.[31]
Torino during the 1940s in Italian football due to their success in the league championships in 1942–43 and from 1945–46dto 1948–49.[32] This team notably won a historic five consecutive league titles and were given the moniker Grande Torino by the press.
A.C. Milan experienced several successful periods during their history. In the 1950s, having won four league titles and two Latin Cups, which was considered a predecessor of club tournaments in Europe, namely the European Cup.[33] From the 1987–88 to the 1995–96 season, Milan won five Serie A titles. Also, they were able to secure four Supercoppa Italiana in 1988, 1992, 1993 and 1994. Internationally, Milan honours included three UEFA Champions Leagues in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1993–94 seasons, three UEFA Super Cup titles (1989, 1990 and 1994) and two Intercontinental Cups (1989 and 1990).[33] In this period, the game philosophy of then manager Arrigo Sacchi is considered to have revolutionized football in Italy, where the game was previously based on a defensive approach (in some extreme cases referred to as Catenaccio), switching the focus towards a highly fluid and organized game, zonal marking and intense pressing in the midfield line. He did so while at the same time securing one of the strongest defending packages of all time, thanks to individuals such as Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini.[34][35] In the 2000s, namely between the 2002–03 and 2006–07 seasons, Milan achieved important successes, having won one Serie A title, one Coppa Italia, one Supercoppa Italiana, two UEFA Champions Leagues, two UEFA Super Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.
Spanish La Liga
Real Madrid won 12 La Liga titles in 16 seasons (from 1953–54 to 1968–69, including a five-in-a-row sequence in 1961–65), as well as reaching eight European Cup finals in 11 seasons (from 1955–56 to 1965–66; won six, including five in a row in 1956–60). They also won five consecutive league titles in 1986–90.[36] The club's most recent dynasty formed as part of their gálactico transfer policy, with the team reaching eight consecutive Champions League semi-finals from 2010–11 to 2017–18 and winning six titles between 2014 and 2024, including a three-in-a-row sequence.
Barcelona from the 2004–05 season to 2019–20. They won ten La Liga championships and four Champions League titles, including an unprecedented six major trophies in 2009, and became the first Spanish team to win the Sextuple.[37][38][39][40][41] They also became the first team to win the treble twice in European football in the 2014–15 season.
North Carolina Tar Heels women's soccer, 1979–2012 (22 national championships in 34 years, 21 of those are NCAA Tournament Championships). This also includes 9 consecutive NCAA Tournament Championships from 1986 to 1994, and 15 consecutive ACC Tournament Championships from 1989 to 2003. Also, they boast a 90% win rate, having won 704 games and lost or tied only 78 games.[43]
Major League Baseball
The Boston Red Sox's championship banners at Fenway Park, with banners from the team's dynastic years at the foreground
Boston Red Sox from 1903 to 1918; dominated the sport for sixteen seasons during the "dead-ball era", with five World Series titles in 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918, and six American League pennants in 1903, 1904, 1912, 1915, 1916, and 1918.[44]
New York Yankees from 1921 to 1964, the Yankees played in 29 of the 44 World Series, winning 20 of them. During this 44-year period, the Yankees had two dominant stretches:
From 1936 to 1943 the Yankees dominated baseball for eight years, capturing seven American League pennants and six World Series Championships, including four World Series in a row from 1936 to 1939.[43][46]
From 1947 to 1964 the Yankees won 15 of 18 AL pennants and 10 World Series, including five in a row from 1949 to 1953. This is the MLB record for most consecutive championships.[43][47]
Cincinnati Redsfrom 1970to 1976. Known as The Big Red Machine, they dominated the sport for 7 years (5 National League West Division titles, four National League pennants in 1970, 1972, 1975 and 1976, and two World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. The team's combined record from 1970 to 1976 was 683 wins and 443 losses, an average of nearly 98 wins per season).[49][50][51]
New York Yankees: From 1996 to 2003. Led by manager Joe Torre, and the Core Four, the Yankees dominated the sport with 8-straight postseason appearances, winning 7 AL East division titles, 6 AL pennants in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2003, & 4 World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. The Yankees added another World Series title in 2009 to make 5 championships won by the Core Four, albeit under manager Joe Girardi. Other notable contributors during this time include Roger Clemens, David Cone, and Bernie Williams.[53]
Indiana Pacers from 1969 to 1975 led by star players such as Freddie Lewis, Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, and George McGinnis. The Pacers won 5 ABA Conference Championships in 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1975 and won the ABA Championship in 1970, 1972, and 1973. Other noteworthy accomplishments include 3 consecutive ABA division titles in 1969, 1970, and 1971, their playoff berths in every year of the ABA's existence, as well as their place as the winningest franchise in ABA history.[55]
Boston Celtics of 1979–1988 led by head coach K.C. Jones and players Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. Boston played in 5 finals, winning 3 championships (1981, 1984, and 1986) in a 9-year period. They were known for their roughness, toughness, and trash talking. The 1986 team is considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history with a record 40–1 home record.[60][61]
San Antonio Spurs of 1999 to 2014 led by Tim Duncan, David Robinson (1989–2003), Tony Parker (2001–2018), Manu Ginóbili (2002–2018), Kawhi Leonard (2011–2018), and head coach Gregg Popovich. In these 16 seasons, San Antonio won 5 NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014), 6 Western Conference titles, and 11 division titles, plus 22 consecutive playoff appearances from 1998 to 2019. The Spurs were able to sustain a high level of consistency during Duncan's tenure with the team. The Spurs won 50+ games every season from 1997 to 1998 through 2015–16 (except the strike-shortened 1998–99 season), as well as a .707 win percentage during that span, the highest in any of the four major American sports).[63][64]
Los Angeles Lakers of 2000 to 2004 led by Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and head coach Phil Jackson. In these 5 seasons, Los Angeles won 4 Western Conference titles in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004, accomplishing a three-peat in the process by winning championships from 2000 to 2002. The 2001 team went 15–1 in the playoffs, setting the record for the highest win percentage in single playoffs (later broken).[65]
Golden State Warriors of 2015 to 2022 led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant (2016–2019) and head coach Steve Kerr. In these eight seasons, Golden State has won four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022) and six Western Conference titles (five consecutively from 2015 to 2019 and one more in 2022). Throughout this dynasty, the Warriors have set many NBA records, most notably the best regular season (73–9 record in 2015–16) and best postseason (16–1 record in 2017), and had won at least 67 out of 82 games in three consecutive regular seasons from 2014–15 to 2016–17.[66]
University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball under Pat Summitt from 1987 to 1998 (six national championships in 12 seasons), including three consecutive championships from 1996 to 1998 (the first women's team to do so), one undefeated season setting the most wins ever with 39, and an overall record of 314–38 (.877).[73]
University of Connecticut under Geno Auriemma from 1995 thru present (11 championships in 17 seasons, including three consecutive championships from 2002 to 2004 and four consecutive from 2013 to 2016; five undefeated seasons in 2002, 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2016.[74] The Huskies set a record with a 90-game winning streak from November 2008 to December 2010, and would later break that record with a 111-game winning streak from November 2014 to March 2017.[75]
Carleton University Ravens men's basketball won five consecutive CIS/USports national championships from 2003 to 2007, seven consecutive national championships from 2011 to 2017, and 17 titles in 20 seasons between 2003 and 2023, 13 of the championship wins under head coach Dave Smart, 3 of the championship wins under head coach Taffe Charles.[78]
United States Men's Olympic 4 × 100 meter team, 1916–1992[43]
The West Indian cricket team dominated test cricket through the 1980s and early 1990s. The West Indian team was not beaten in a test series between March 1980 and May 1995, a fifteen-year span including twenty series wins and nine drawn series.[80][81]
Australian national cricket team from 1996 through 2023. The Australian cricket team is the only team to win the World Cup three consecutive times (1999, 2003, 2007) and they remained undefeated since their last defeat in group stages in 1999 World Cup against Pakistan. Their first loss in World Cup came in the 2011 World Cup group stage against Pakistan. Australia have won 5 out of the last 7 Men's World Cups (1999 - 2023) and their greatest victory was arguably versus India, in India, in 2023. This was their 6th World Cup title.[80]
Club
The HC Spartak Kyiv, Kiev women's handball team, won thirteen out of 18 Champions' league titles from 1970 to 1988 (72% of titles) including two lines of four titles in a row.[82]
FC Barcelona Handbol, the men's Barcelona professional handball team, won an all-time best five consecutive Champions' League from 1995 to 2000.[83]
Croatia's most successful men's handball club PPD RK Zagreb has an unprecedented title streak. They won all 31 Croatian championships out of 31.[84]
New England Patriots2001–2019. Led by Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick.[126][127] Six Super Bowl titles in 19 years (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018) including becoming only the second team to win three Super Bowls in four years, three other Super Bowl appearances (2007, 2011, 2017), 13 AFC Championship Game appearances (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011–2018), and 17 AFC East Division titles (2001, 2003–2007, and 2009–2019).[128][129][130][131][132] The 2007 season also saw the Patriots become only the second team in NFL history to record a perfect regular season and the first to do so in a 16-game season.[133][134][135] During this time, the Patriots recorded the NFL's two longest winning streaks; 21 from 2003 to 2004, and 18 from 2007 to 2008. From 2001 to 2017 the Patriots averaged over 12 wins per season and a .766 win percentage, the highest in any of the four major American sports.[115][117][136] They also hold the distinction of being labeled "The Team of the 2000s" and "The Team of the 2010s" respectively.[137][138]
Cleveland Browns of the late 1940s. Won the AAFC championship in all four years of the league's existence (1946–49) including an undefeated season in 1948.[115]
The problems inherent in identifying sports dynasties are exacerbated in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, where the national champion is determined, at least in part, by poll rather than through a tournament. These polls, however, are largely based on win–loss records, thereby relying on minimal subjectivity. When fans of a sport cannot agree on which team within a league or other organization should be considered as holding that organization's championship, discussing whether a team has become a dynasty is more difficult. Because of these problems, teams that consistently win their conference championship and are frequently in contention for national championships are termed dynasties more often than a similarly performing team in another sport or division might.
Yale– nineteen championships between 1874 and 1909[160]
Notre Dame, 1919–1930. Led by head coach Knute Rockne. He won three national championships in 1924, 1929, and 1930 and an .892 winning percentage over 12 years.[160]
Minnesota, 1934–1941. Led by head coach Bernie Bierman. He led Minnesota to five championships in eight seasons (1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941).[161]
Notre Dame 1941–1953. Led by head coach Frank Leahy. He led Notre Dame to four national championships 1943, 1946, 1947, and 1949.[43][163]
Oklahoma, 1948–1958. Led by head coach Bud Wilkinson. The Sooners won three national championships in 1950, 1955, and 1956. The centerpiece of this run was his 47-game win streak (NCAA Record) from 1953 to 1957.[164]
Alabama, 1961–66 Led by Bear Bryant, Joe Namath, and Ken Stabler– three national championships. In 1961, 1964, and 1965 and going unbeaten in 1966, and had a record of 60-5-1 over the six-year span.[165]
Nebraska, 1969–72. Led by head coach Bob Devaney and capturing consecutive national titles in 1970 and 1971. Nebraska's 1971 team remains the only champion ever to defeat the teams that finished second, third, and fourth (Oklahoma, Colorado, Alabama) in the final rankings.[166]
Miami, 1983–94– Led by head coaches Howard Schnellenberger, Jimmy Johnson, and Dennis Erickson. In 12 seasons, Miami won four national championships (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991), played for seven national championships (1983, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994), finished in the top three of the AP Poll for seven consecutive seasons (1986–92), and set an NCAA-record with 58 straight home victories. They also had two Heisman Trophy winners in Vinny Testaverde in 1986 and Gino Torretta in 1992.[169][170]
Florida State, 1987–2000– At the height of Bobby Bowden's dominance, the Florida State Seminoles went 152–19–1, won nine ACC championships (1992–2000), two national championships (1993 and 1999), three national runner-up finishes (1996, 1998 and 2000), never lost the #1 AP ranking during 1999, produced 20 1st round NFL draft picks (including the 1997 offensive and defensive rookies of the year), won at least 10 games every year, and never finished a season ranked lower than fourth in the AP poll. Quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke won Heisman Trophies.[171]
Nebraska, 1993–97– Led by head coach Tom Osborne, defensive coordinator Charlie McBride, and players Tommie Frazier, Scott Frost, Ahman Green, Grant Wistrom and Jason Peter and the Blackshirts. They played for four national championships in '93, '94, '95, and '97. They won three national championships in four years (1994, 1995, 1997), 60–3 cumulative record and went unbeaten in the three national championship seasons. They won 26 straight games from 1994 to 1996.[172]
Alabama, 2008–2023. Led by head coach Nick Saban, Alabama won six National Championships in 12 years (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020) and three national runner-up finishes (2016, 2018, 2021). Alabama appeared in the first five College Football Playoffs from 2014 to 2018 and returned to the CFP in 2020, 2021 and again in 2023. Since the 2008 season, Alabama has averaged 12 wins per season and have a record of 176-19 (.903). Alabama under Nick Saban has four Heisman Trophy winners in running backs Mark Ingram II and Derrick Henry in 2009 and 2015, wide receiver DeVonta Smith in 2020, and quarterback Bryce Young in 2021, respectively.[173][174][175]
Northwest Missouri State from 1998 to 2016. Led by head coaches Mel Tjeerdsma (1994–2010) and Adam Dorrel (2011–2016). Northwest Missouri played in 10 DII National Championship Games (98, 99, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 13, 15 and 16), Winning Six National Championships (98, 99, 09, 13, 15, and 16) which is the most in DII Football history.[177]
Augustana (IL), 1983–1986– Augustana won 4 consecutive titles from 1983 to 1986[179]
Mount Union, 1993–present– Mount Union won 110 consecutive regular-season games between 1994 and 2005, posted 14 undefeated regular seasons, won 16 Ohio Athletic Conference Championships, and had the best overall record in the 1990s (120–7–1 .941). They won Division III championships in 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2015 and have appeared in 19 national championship games since 1993.[180]
Wisconsin–Whitewater, 2005–2014– Led by coach Lance Leipold, UW–Whitewater appeared in seven consecutive Division III championship games between 2005 and 2011. They won Division III championships in 2007, 2009, 2010 2011, 2013, and 2014.[181]
NAIA Football
Carroll College (Montana) of the 2000s (decade) – 8 straight Frontier Conference Championships (2000 to 2007), six straight national semi-final appearances (2000–2005), and six NAIA National Football Championships in nine years (2002–2005, 2007, 2010).[179]
Texas A&I 7 NAIA National Championships in 11 years, 1968–1979. 3 consecutive and 5 in the decade of the 1970s: 1970-74-75-76-70. Lost only 1 NAIA Playoff Game (1968 National Championship Game—to Boise State, now a Bowl Subdivision team.[179]
Carson-Newman 5 NAIA National Championships in 7 years, 1983–89. Winning the title in 1983-86-88-89 outright and tied the 1984 title with Central Arkansas.[179]
Linfield 3 NAIA National Championships in 6 years, 1982–86; winning it in 1982-84-86.[179]
Sioux Falls Storm from 2004 to 2017 (10 championships and 13 championship game appearances in 14 seasons)[188]
Arizona Rattlers from 2011 to 2017 (three ArenaBowl championships, five ArenaBowl appearances and one United Bowl championship in seven seasons)[188][189]
Alan Francis, 1993–present; won 14 out of 17 world championships,[190] only player to pitch over 90%[191][192]
New York Islanders of 1980–1984 (4 consecutive Stanley Cups and 19 consecutive playoff series wins) 1980–1984
Edmonton Oilers of 1984–1990 (5 Stanley Cups in 7 years) 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990
International
Men's Ice Hockey World Championships
Finland 2019–2022. Finland won 3 gold medals and 1 silver in 4 consecutive major tournaments. This dynasty stretch includes winning the Olympic tournament and World Championship in the same year, the latter at home – both extremely rare achievements. During the stretch Finland won 31 games out of 36, losing only once in regular time (winning 86.11% of all games and 91.67% of playoff round games), allowing just 51 goals on total (GAA 1.416).[197][198]
Hobart Statesmen won thirteen national titles from 1980 to 1993, including twelve straight titles from 1980 to 1991.[200]
NCAA women's
Maryland Terrapins won eight national titles from 1992 to 2001, capturing seven consecutive titles from 1995 to 2001 and completing four undefeated seasons.[201]
Hendrick Motorsports has had two streaks of four or more consecutive championships (1995 to 1998, with Jeff Gordon winning all but the 1996 championship which went to Terry Labonte, and 2006 to 2010, all by Jimmie Johnson) and has 15 NASCAR championships overall. The combined operations of the works and satellite teams have won six consecutive championships, since 2006.[207]
Crusaders 1998–2008 2017–Present, they reached 17 Super Rugby finals, of which they won 13 (Including two Covid-19 effected domestic titles in 2020 and 2021).[211]
Auburn University earned 13 total NCAA championships in swimming and diving, eight by the men's team and five by the women's team during a thirteen-year period from 1997 to 2009. During that stretch, the Auburn Tigers men won five consecutive national championships and the women won three consecutive national championships. In the Southeastern Conference (SEC), Auburn men earned 16 consecutive team titles between 1997 and 2012 while the women took five non-consecutive SEC championships. Auburn swimmers won 18 medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics, more than many countries.[213][214][215]
High school
Carmel High School (Carmel, Indiana): the girls' swim team has won a national record 33 state team titles, beginning with one in 1982, and continuing with 32 straight state team titles from 1985 to 2017, making them the all-time best high school sports program in the country. Their 2015 win broke the tie with the Honolulu Punahou boys' swimming team, who had won 29 straight from 1958 to 1986.[216][217][218][219]
The Concordia University (Saint Paul) women's volleyball team have captured NCAA Division II Championships in seven consecutive seasons – the only NCAA volleyball program to accomplish the feat at the Division I or II levels. Their seven total volleyball titles is more than any program as well, with the sport dating back to 1980, at the women's Division II level. Their head coach, Brady Starkey, boasts a 306–26 overall record (.926) making him the winningest active NCAA volleyball coach in any division by overall percentage. They have also mounted 9 consecutive conference Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championships (from 2003 to 2011) including 6-undefeated conference campaigns.[221]
The NCAA Division III Washington University in St. Louis women's volleyball team were the first volleyball team to win six consecutive national championships, from 1991 to 1996. They have won a total of 10 NCAA championships, including 26 consecutive appearances in the championship tournament dating back to 1987, the most of any program at any level.[222]
University of Iowa Hawkeyes have 24 total NCAA championships. The dynasty runs are from 1975 to 1986 (11 NCAA championships in 12 years), from 1991 to 2000 (9 NCAA championships in 10 years) and three consecutive national championships from 2008 to 2010. Iowa also had a dynasty run of 25 straight Big Ten conference tournament championships from 1974 to 1998.[223]
Most disputes about dynasties relate to teams that dominated within a conference or division, but either failed to win championships or infrequently won championships. This is exacerbated in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A), where the national champion is determined, at least in part, by poll rather than through a tournament.
Boise State Broncos football from 1998 to 2008. At 113–26, their 81.29% win rate was the highest in the nation.[225] Won ten of twelve conference championships from 1999 to 2009, undefeated in conference play in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2009, perfect seasons in 2006 and 2009, but has never been selected to play in the Division I-A national championship.
Detroit Red Wings of the mid-1990s through the late 2000s. Although not officially listed by the NHL as a dynasty, the Red Wings won four Stanley Cups in eleven seasons (1997, 1998, 2002, 2008) and went to the Stanley Cup Finals six times in fourteen seasons (1995, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008, and 2009). The Red Wings had the best team record during both the 1990s and 2000s, accumulating the most points of any franchise during each decade. Detroit won the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular season record in the NHL in 1995, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008, in all winning their division thirteen times during this span.[226] The Red Wings qualified for the playoffs in 25 consecutive seasons from 1991 through 2016.
Chicago Blackhawks of the early 2010s are also not officially listed by the NHL as a dynasty, but won three Stanley Cups in six seasons (2010, 2013, and 2015), as well as a Presidents Trophy in 2013 and acknowledgment by the NHL as their "Franchise of the Decade" for the 2010s.[227] When they were presented with their third Stanley Cup in 2015, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman colloquially referred to the team as a "dynasty" as well.[228]
England national rugby union team 1991–2003, 7 Five/Six Nations Championships, four Grand Slams, 2003 World Cup. While England was the form team in Europe in the 1990s, they were unable to break through and win the World Cup until 2003, losing to Australia in the final of 1991 and failing to match the same performance in 1995 and 1999. Additionally, England struggled to beat the leading southern hemisphere sides, the Springboks and the New Zealand All Blacks until 2000 and 2002 respectively, with the team peaking from 2002 to early 2004, under the leadership of Clive Woodward, before a slow, long decline, foreshadowing the north–south divide in rugby that was to become the norm from the mid-2000s.[229]
San Antonio Spurs of 1999 to 2014 led by Tim Duncan. (five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014) in sixteen seasons, six Western Conference titles, eleven division championships, and seventeen consecutive playoff appearances from 1998 to 2014, with a .705 win percentage during that span, the highest in any of the four major American sports) are considered a dynasty by some,[230][231] but not by others[232][233] because they did not win consecutive titles.
University of Southern California football, 2002–2005– two consecutive AP national championships (2003 and 2004), appearance in the 2005 National Championship Game, seven straight Pac-10 titles, six major bowl wins in seven years (Rose: 2003 and 2007–2009, Orange: 2004 and 2005), and maintained a 34-game winning streak from 2003 to 2005.[239] However, USC was forced to vacate two wins from the 2004 season including the Orange Bowl win and BCS national Championship, all wins from the 2005 season, and the Pac-10 titles from both of those seasons as the result of rules violations involving star running back Reggie Bush.
Washington Redskins 1982–1992, led by head coach Joe Gibbs and with running back John Riggins and the Hogs,[240] the Redskins made seven playoff appearances and won three of their four Super Bowl appearances over the course of a decade.[241][242][243] However, once Gibbs retired, the Redskins never returned to a Super Bowl with their last appearance being Super Bowl XXVI and the most plausible reason why they weren't considered a dynasty at the time was due to the fact that they were overshadowed by the 49ers dynasty.[244][245][246][247][248]
Houston Astros: From 2017 to Present. Under the ownership of Jim Crane and led by players such as Jose Altuve, Justin Verlander, and Alex Bregman, the Astros have won six AL West titles in seven seasons, played in the ALCS a record seven consecutive years, and won four AL Pennants and two World Series Titles. Although their high consistency within the American League has been noted, many baseball fans debate whether this team is a dynasty due to the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal, the team only having won two World Series titles separated by five seasons, and because only five players were on both championship teams.[249]
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders: 1967–85. No NFL team enjoyed more consistent success than the Raiders during this span. During this 17-year run, the Raiders won 11 division titles, earned 15 playoff berths, captured one AFL title and three Super Bowls. The '76 Raiders captured the franchise's first Super Bowl after going 13–1 during the regular season. They then dismantled the defending two-time champion Steelers in the AFC title game before routing the Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Four years later, coach Tom Flores and quarterback Jim Plunkett helped the Raiders become the first franchise to win the Super Bowl as a wild-card team. The '83 Raiders, on the strength of running back Marcus Allen and cornerbacks Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes, held Washington's record-setting offense to just one touchdown in the Raiders' 38–9 win in Super Bowl XVIII.[250]
Frank, Vincent (June 21, 2015). "Start Of A Golden State Warriors Dynasty? Not So Fast, My Friends". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017. One of the most subjective discussions we come across around the sports world is what defines a dynasty. It's a definition that will never come to pass, and will always be left up for interpretation.
Di Cesare, Sergio (1 April 2008). "Hard work pays off for Zoff". Union des Associations Européennes de Football. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
"Giovanni Trapattoni". Union des Associations Européennes de Football. 31 May 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2012. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
In addition, Juventus F.C. was the first club in association football history to have won all possible confederation competitions (e.g. the international tournaments organised by UEFA) and remained the only in the world to achieve this until the first Europa Conference League final in 2022, cf. "Legend: UEFA club competitions". Union des Associations Européennes de Football. 21 August 2006. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 26 February 2013. "1985: Juventus end European drought". Union des Associations Européennes de Football. 8 December 1985. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
Peterson, Bill (1995-04-23). "Big Red Machine Rates Among Best Ever; Balance of Offense, Defense made '75 Cincinnati Team So Great". Rocky Mountain News. Scripps Howard news Service.
Sachare, Alex. "The Dynasties: Minneapolis Lakers". NBA Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2016-05-30. Retrieved 2008-11-12. The Minneapolis Lakers are the forgotten dynasty, an afterthought when the discussion turns to the NBA's greatest teams...But history cannot be changed and should not be forgotten. The Minneapolis Lakers were the NBA's first dynasty, winning five titles in six seasons from 1948–49 through 1953–54. Add the championship the Lakers won in the National Basketball League before they entered the NBA and the count is six crowns in seven seasons—a dynasty by any standard.
Barreiro, Dan. "The Fab Five". NBA Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2008-12-17. Retrieved 2008-11-13. Led by George Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers—basketball's first dynasty—ruled the league with five titles in six seasons...From 1948 to 1954, the Minneapolis Lakers ruled professional basketball. They would win six championships in seven years while playing in three different leagues– the National Basketball League (1948), the Basketball Association of America (1949) and the NBA (1950, '52, '53, '54).
Brown, Clifton. "The Foundation of a Dynasty". NBA Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-11-12. It is the greatest dynasty in NBA history. It began 49 years ago. It is still hard to believe.
"Lynx Capture Fourth W.N.B.A. Title With Game 5 Win Over Sparks". The New York Times. Associated Press. October 4, 2017. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018. With a team that had the makings of a new dynasty bearing down on it, the Lynx responded to reassert their own.
Puma, Mike. "Sportscenter Biography: Wizard of Westwood". ESPN Classic. Archived from the original on 2010-04-10. Retrieved 2010-02-08. No dynasty in college basketball history compares to the monster Wooden built at UCLA in the 1960s and 1970s, winning 10 NCAA titles in his last 12 seasons before he retired in 1975. From 1967 to 1973, the "Wizard of Westwood" guided the Bruins to a record seven straight national championships...Starting in 1971 and ending in 1974, UCLA won 88 straight games, an NCAA record that hasn't come close to falling. Wooden's teams also compiled four 30–0 seasons and won 19 conference championships, including eight undefeated Pacific Conference seasons.
Verrier, Justin (April 8, 2024). "UConn Once Shocked the World. Now It Looks Like a Dynasty". The Ringer. Retrieved April 24, 2024. Now, after winning two straight titles (in half the time it took Krzyzewski to accomplish the same feat), Hurley has vaulted UConn into the stratosphere—past mere inclusion in the blue-blood club and in the running for a seat on the high council. Only two schools have more men's basketball national championships than the Huskies' six total, and in the lead-up to Monday's title game, the fan base for one of them was bellowing for even an exploratory phone call with Hurley.
Shaughnessy, Dan (2005-02-05). "Dynasty". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-07-30. And the New England Patriots of the 21st century are established as an NFL dynasty on a par with the Packers of the 1960s, the Steelers of the 1970s, the 49ers of the 1980s, and the Cowboys of the 1990s.
Pedulla, Tom (2003-01-23). "NFL dynasties go 'way of dinosaurs'". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2009-01-07. Retrieved 2008-11-12. Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers dominated the NFL through the 1960s. Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" rose in the 1970s. The San Francisco 49ers' West Coast offense rolled in the 1980s. Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin made the Dallas Cowboys the team of the 1990s.
Luedtke, Luther (1992). Making America. UNC Press. p.283. ISBN0-8078-4370-9. These were the rules that Knute Rockne used at Notre Dame to build the greatest football dynasty since the old Yale teams of the 19th century, transforming "Fighting Irish" from an ethnic slur to a badge of pride.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2010-06-14. Head coach Red Blaik's Cadets, led by their Heisman-winning backfield of Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard, won consecutive national titles in 1944 and '45 and finished No. 2 to Notre Dame– which it tied– in '46.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. The Irish didn't lose a game in coach Frank Leahy's first four seasons, with two ties serving as their only blemishes. They captured three national titles and produced two Heisman winners, Johnny Lujack and Leon Hart.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. Sooners coach Bud Wilkinson– who would later set an NCAA record with 47 straight victories– produced a 31-game streak from 1948–50. OU finished No. 2 in the AP poll in '49 before winning the national title in '50.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. Bear Bryant's teams won national titles in 1961, '64 and '65 and went undefeated in '66, amassing a 60–5–1 record over the six-year span. Stars included quarterback Joe Namath, center Lee Roy Jordan and lineman Billy Neighbors.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. Led by head coach Barry Switzer, the Sooners went 54–3–1 over a five-year span, finishing No. 2 in 1971 and '72 before winning 28 straight games from '73–75, capturing consecutive national titles in '74 and '75.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. At the twilight of his career, legendary Crimson Tide coach Bear Bryant produced one last run of dominance, winning national titles in 1978 and '79– the first coming on a famous goal-line stand against Penn State in the Sugar Bowl– and finishing No. 2 in '77.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. Despite losing coach Jimmy Johnson mid-stream (he was replaced by Dennis Erickson), the 'Canes won three national titles and played for two others over a seven-year span. QBs Vinny Testaverde and Gino Torretta captured Heismans.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-05-01. At the height of Bobby Bowden's dominance,the Florida State Seminoles won two national championships (1993 and 1999), played for three others (1996, 1998 and 2000) and never finished outside the AP top four. Quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke won Heisman Trophies.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-06-14. With their unstoppable option offense and a sea of dominating defenders, Tom Osborne's Huskers captured at least a share of three national championships and played for a fourth, all following undefeated regular seasons.
Futterman, Matthew (2009-12-11). "Grand Valley State: America's Biggest Little School". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2009-12-11. Grand Valley State University is a modern dynasty in Division II football. The Lakers, who play in Allendale, Mich., have won four of the past seven championships heading into Saturday's title game against Northwest Missouri State University.
Thamel, Pete (2006-08-27). "The Quiet Dynasty". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2015-11-16. Retrieved 2008-08-04. Carroll College, an elite Catholic institution of 1,500 students in Montana's capital, is one of just two college football programs at any level to win four consecutive national championships. Augustana College of Illinois won four consecutive N.C.A.A. Division III titles in the 1980s.
Lawton, Chris (30 December 2020). "The Grey Cup Dynasties". www.cflaa.ca. Canadian Football League Alumni Association. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
Phillips, Randy (29 November 2010). "Rouge et Or build on Vanier Cup dynasty". www.winnipegfreepress.com. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on 13 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
Boehm, Jenn (2008-02-21). "McClay reflects on his long journey". Arena Football League. Retrieved 2008-07-31. He played defensive back at Rice University and attended camp with the Cowboys before making his mark as a wide receiver/linebacker with the Detroit Drive dynasty in late '80s–early '90s.[dead link]
Sherman, Rodger (February 22, 2018). "The United States Owns Canada's Best Sports". The Ringer. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018. A pair of Canadian Olympic dynasties died at the hands of Team USA on Thursday in South Korea.
"Cindy Timchal Profile". The University of Maryland. Archived from the original on 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2008-08-08. Prior to '91, the Terrapins' last title had come in 1986 under head coach Sue Tyler, but the Maryland dynasty began to re-emerge almost immediately under Timchal's guidance...The dynasty continued throughout the 1998 season despite an 0–2 start following losses to Duke and North Carolina. That season finished the same way as the previous three, however, with Timchal's Terrapins being re-crowned the NCAA champions, this time behind an 11–5 win over Virginia.
Richards, Huw (2005-11-27), "Rugby: New Zealand dismantles Australia's dynasty, 24–0", The New York Times, archived from the original on 2015-02-08, retrieved 2011-12-27, Defeat ends a run which makes Australia's recent domination of cricket look like a mere episode. It was 27 years since Australia lost a series to anyone, 33 since it failed to win a competition. New Zealand had not won a series against Australia since 1953.
"Classy Toulon claim third European title in a row". Reuters. 2 May 2015. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2015. Toulon, befitting a team who have created a rugby dynasty, hit straight back through [Drew] Mitchell's brilliant score and repelled a late charge to send the red and black travelling supporters into raptures.
King, Jason (2008-11-27). "Bluer pastures suit Petersen". Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-11-29. No program, though, can boast the national-best winning percentage that Boise State has accomplished over the past 10-plus seasons. Since 1998 the Broncos are 113–26.
"College Football's 12 Greatest Dynasties". Sports Illustrated. 2005-12-25. Archived from the original on 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2010-06-14. The Trojans have won 34 straight games, captured consecutive AP national championships and produced an unprecedented three Heisman Trophy winners (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush) in four years.
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