The Oklahoma City Thunder ranks No. 25 out of 122 NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL franchises, according to ESPN the Magazine. Its annual "Ultimate Standings" survey measures how much major-league teams give back to their fans. Jumping from last year's No. 57 ranking, the Thunder stand as the fifth-best NBA team in the current ratings.
The overall ranking is based on how each team fares in eight categories. The Thunder's rankings are:
" Affordability: 9 (1st in the NBA)
" Fan Relations: 12 (2nd in the NBA)
" Players: 9 (2nd in the NBA)
" Coaching: 35 (9th in the NBA)
" Title Track: 51 (10th in the NBA)
" Ownership: 43 (11th in the NBA)
" Bang for the Buck: 53 (13th in the NBA)
" Stadium Experience: 66 (14th in the NBA)
"The Thunder bolted up the rankings in part because of their first playoff appearance in just their second year in OK City," Charles Curtis wrote. "The Thunder now own a top-10 ranking in Players and a top-12 in Fan Relations because of their on-court prowess and off-court dedication to the state of Oklahoma."
For more information, visit http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/teamrankings.
