Sports fans love a good underdog story, but some fan bases have taken that identity and run with it, regardless of whether it applies. Whether they’re clinging to past slights, ignoring decades of success, or just love to play the victim, these groups have mastered the art of convincing themselves they’re still scrappy Davids fighting off the Goliaths of the world.
From powerhouse programs to massive-market franchises, these fan bases have no business claiming the underdog label, but they do it anyway. Here are 25 fan bases who swear the world is against them, even when the numbers and banners say otherwise.
25. Chicago Cubs
Yes, the team went over a century without a title, but 2016 happened. Cubs fans still act like they’re waiting for heartbreak, even though they have one of baseball’s most significant followings.
24. Auburn Tigers
Auburn fans love to remind everyone how much they’re overlooked. But they’ve had plenty of big wins and a national title—not exactly a Cinderella story.
23. Philadelphia Eagles
You just won a Super Bowl, dominate headlines, and your fans are everywhere. But somehow, Eagles fans still act like the league is conspiring against them.
22. Miami Hurricanes
“The U” used to be the villains, but these days, the fan base swears everyone is rooting for them to fail. They forget they used to be the Goliath everyone feared.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow made them contenders, but Bengals fans still act like they’re stuck in the ‘90s. The “nobody respects us” energy is intense even after back-to-back deep playoff runs.
20. Boston Red Sox
After breaking the curse and racking up four championships in the 21st century, Red Sox fans still lean into the tortured fan narrative. The underdog card doesn’t hit the same when you’re printing money and banners.
19. Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys fans somehow believe the NFL is biased against them, which is wild considering how often they’re on national TV. There’s nothing underdog about “America’s Team.”
18. Oklahoma City Thunder
They’re a small market, but they had KD, Russ, and Harden in their prime. Thunder fans love the “we’re overlooked” vibe, but the NBA spotlight has never left them.
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
A program with its TV deal and a massive national following, claiming underdog status is comedy. But Irish fans will always find a way to say the committee disrespected them.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
They talk like nobody gives them a chance, but they’ve been relevant and loud for years. The grit-and-grind days are gone, but the chip on the shoulder remains.
15. Buffalo Bills
Bills fans have built an identity around heartbreak and being the little guy. But with a top QB and a rabid fan base, the “woe is us” routine is starting to wear thin.
14. Florida State Seminoles
Despite a storied history and recent resurgence, Seminole fans act like they’re constantly disrespected. The “nobody believes in us” narrative feels more like performance art at this point.
13. Milwaukee Bucks
Winning a title didn’t stop Bucks fans from thinking they’re still the scrappy unknowns. Giannis is a superstar, but the fan base still acts like they’re being ignored.
12. Tennessee Volunteers
Every year is “our year,” and every loss is because “they never give us a chance.” Vols fans somehow balance delusion and self-pity like it’s an Olympic sport.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
With six Super Bowls and decades of dominance, Steelers fans are hardly downtrodden. Yet somehow, they think everyone is rooting for them to fail.
10. USC Trojans
A massive program in sunny LA that’s been to the mountaintop more than once, and yet USC fans insist they’re constantly being overlooked. That’s not how this works.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs fans wear heartbreak like a badge of honor, but their constant media attention says otherwise. There’s underdog energy, and then there’s just denial.
8. Utah Jazz
The Jazz haven’t won a title, but they’ve had stars and playoff appearances galore. Still, their fans cling hard to the belief that nobody gives them respect.
7. Michigan Wolverines
They won a championship just a few years ago, but the fan base still fights for relevance. You can’t be the underdog and a blue blood simultaneously.
6. Cleveland Browns
Yes, the past was rough. But Browns fans love the suffering so much they can’t give it up—even when they’re not that bad anymore.
5. Houston Astros
After winning titles and being at the center of a scandal, Astros fans still pretend like they’re being picked on unfairly. Playing the underdog card post-cheating scandal is a bold move.
4. New York Knicks
Knicks fans swear the world is against them despite being in the biggest media market in the country. It’s hard to be a lovable underdog when your team’s value is one of the highest in the league.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
Yes, some fans think Alabama is “never respected enough.” When you have a dynasty and an NFL pipeline, underdog isn’t even in the zip code.
2. Golden State Warriors
From “Strength in Numbers” to full-on dynasty, Warriors fans still talk like they’re fighting the big bad league. You’ve got titles, stars, and a global brand—nobody’s sleeping on you.
Read More: 15 Tennis Stars Who Had No Business Being That Inspiring
1. Boston Celtics
The winningest franchise in NBA history, whose fans swear every call goes against them. We’re all confused about whether being an 18-time champion with national TV games is underdog behavior.
