Can You Name the Former Home Town of These Sports Teams?

By: Gavin Thagard
Image: skynesher/E+/gettyimages

About This Quiz

Watching your favorite hometown sports team leave your city can be one of the most difficult experiences for a die-hard fan of any team. A team's exit can leave the city demoralized, wreck the economy and force you to find something else to do on the weekends. No more Sunday baseball games unless you want to watch the local little league team at the park up the street. It can also lead to bad feelings. Just ask Houston residents how they feel about the Tennessee Titans!

Of course, for the city that receives a new team, all of those negatives work in reverse. Franchises get a fresh start, new fans are gained, and a city gets an opportunity to unite the community behind a common interest. It's one of the reasons cities are so willing to give tax cuts and other benefits to get a team to choose their city over others. 

How well do you know the teams across all sports that have made the move from one city to another? Many of these teams even changed names when they moved, adding to the confusion. Will that throw you off? Here's your chance to find out. If you are up for the challenge, get started and put your sports knowledge to the ultimate test!

Where were the Atlanta Hawks once located?

When you think of the greatest Hawks' player of all time, it's hard to not picture Dominique Wilkins. He was named an All-Star nine times and won the Slam Dunk Contest twice.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were once located where?

The Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson in 1947. He was the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball.

In which city were the Tennessee Titans once located?

The Tennessee Titans were known as the Oilers when they played in Houston. As the Oilers, the team made it into the NFL Playoffs ten times but never reached the Super Bowl.

Where were the Rockets located before moving to Houston?

Led by Hakeem Olajuwon, the Houston Rockets won back to back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995. Of course, these were also the years Michael Jordan left the NBA to play baseball, so the Rockets didn't have to face the greatest player in the game.

Where were the Utah Jazz once located?

Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell was one of the finalists for the Rookie of the Year Award for the 2017-18 season. However, he lost the award to Ben Simmons, who plays for the 76ers.

Before being renamed the Yankees, where was the team located as the Orioles?

The Yankees have won far more World Series titles than any other team in baseball. They currently hold 27 titles, which is 16 more than the next closest team.

Where were the Los Angeles Rams located before moving to California?

From 1999 until 2001, the Rams had one of the most explosive offenses in NFL history. It was referred to as "The Greatest Show on Turf."

In which city were the Atlanta Braves once located?

One of the greatest players in baseball history, Hank Aaron, made the move from Milwaukee to Atlanta with the Braves in 1966. For his contributions to the team, Aaron's number 44 jersey was retired.

The Oakland Athletics were once located where?

The Athletics' franchise has won nine World Series titles. Their latest title was in 1989 when they swept the Giants in four games.

While named the Senators, where were the Texas Rangers once located?

The Rangers play in Globe Life Park located in Arlington, Texas. The stadium has a seating capacity of 48,114.

Where were the Washington Nationals once located?

The Nationals played in Montreal as the Expos from 1969 until 2004. Since moving to Washington, the Nationals have won four East Division titles.

In which city were the Detroit Pistons once located?

The Detroit Pistons had a fierce team in the '80s and '90s known as the "Bad Boy" Pistons. The team was led by the physical play of point guard Isiah Thomas.

Where were the Indianapolis Colts once located?

The move from Baltimore to Indianapolis was a difficult one for the Colts. They had a strong fan-base for years, but poor play and a deteriorating stadium began to turn many fans away.

The Washington Redskins were once located where?

The Redskins were originally called the Boston Braves in 1932. However, after one year of play, the name was changed to the Redskins to match the town's baseball team, the Red Sox.

Known as the Browns, where were the Baltimore Ravens once located?

The city of Cleveland was disappointed by ownership's decision to move the Browns in 1996. They fought to keep the Browns' name, so the new Baltimore team was named the Ravens.

Where were the San Fransisco Giants once located?

The New York Giants won five titles before moving to San Francisco, with the final championship coming in 1954. The team wouldn't win another title until 2010.

Where were the Oklahoma City Thunder once located as the SuperSonics?

In their last year in Seattle, the SuperSonics drafted Kevin Durant, who went on to win Rookie of the Year. He would become a superstar for the Thunder, before leaving to join Golden State.

In which city were the Lakers once located?

The Lakers have signed some of the greatest players in NBA history. Laker legends include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant.

Where were the Golden State Warriors located before moving to San Fransisco?

In 2017 and 2018, the Golden State Warriors won back to back NBA championships against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This is largely due to their signing of Kevin Durant prior to the 2016-17 season.

The Los Angeles Clippers were once located where?

The Clippers have had their greatest success under head coach Doc Rivers. Rivers joined the team in 2013, and the Clippers won their first divisional title that same year.

In which city were the Oakland Raiders once located?

The Raiders have been in Oakland since 1995, gaining one of the strongest fan bases in the NFL. However, sadly for those fans, the team announced in 2017 that the Raiders will be moving to Las Vegas in the near future.

Where were the New Jersey Devils located as the Rockies?

The New Jersey Devils have won five Conference championships and three Stanley Cups. Their latest Stanley Cup was during the 2002-03 season when they defeated the Mighty Ducks.

Where were the Sacramento Kings once located?

The Kings have a single championship, which they won in 1951. This was before the merger of the NBA and the ABA.

The Winnipeg Jets were once located where as the Thrashers?

The Jets have only been in Winnipeg since 2011. However, the team has yet to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Where were the Detroit Lions once located as the Spartans?

Barry Sanders is regarded as one of the greatest players in Lions' history. Sadly, he was never able to unleash his athletic talent in the Super Bowl before retiring in 1998.

The Washington Wizards were once located where?

The Washington Wizards play basketball in Capital One Arena. The arena is shared with the Washington Capitals and the Georgetown University men's basketball team.

Where were the Memphis Grizzlies once located?

The Memphis Grizzlies are the only American professional sports team located in Memphis. They've been in the city since 2001.

In which city were the Dallas Stars once located?

The Dallas Stars won their only Stanley Cup championship during the 1998-99 season. They defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-2.

Before moving, the Baltimore Orioles were known as the Browns in which city?

The oriole is the official state bird of Maryland. The name comes from the male's unique bright orange and black coloring.

Where were the New Orleans Pelicans located as the Hornets?

The Pelicans drafted center Anthony Davis with the first overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. Davis has not disappointed since being drafted, though injuries have affected him some.

Where were the Chicago Bears once located?

The Chicago Bears had one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history when they won the Super Bowl in 1985. Though the offense had to do little other than not turn the ball over, they were led by Walter Payton, one of the greatest running backs to ever come through the league.

The Arizona Coyotes were located where before moving to Phoenix?

The Coyotes' franchise was founded in 1972. The team moved to Phoenix in 1996 as the Phoenix Coyotes before becoming the Arizona Coyotes in 2014.

In which city were the Kansas City Chiefs once located?

The Kansas City Chiefs were the winners of Super Bowl IV. This is the city's only Super Bowl win in franchise history.

Where were the Carolina Hurricanes located as the Whalers?

The Hurricanes moved to Raleigh, North Carolina in 1997. They won their first Stanley Cup trophy during the 2005-06 season, defeating the Oilers 4-3.

In which city were the Arizona Cardinals located before moving to Phoenix?

The closest the Cardinals have come to winning a Super Bowl was in 2008 when they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers scored the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the game, winning 27-23.

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