Miami Heat Fans Ranked Most Loyal in the NBA

It wasn't that long ago when it seemed like the entire world hated the Miami Heat, and during the worst of those times it seemed like people were attacking the fans almost as much as they were attacking LeBron James. "Miami doesn't deserve this team," they said. "They don't even...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

April 16, 2013

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It wasn't that long ago when it seemed like the entire world hated the Miami Heat, and during the worst of those times it seemed like people were attacking the fans almost as much as they were attacking LeBron James. "Miami doesn't deserve this team," they said. "They don't even show up on time. Do they even know what basketball is?"

Yeah, well, according to a new survey by Brand Keys, the Miami Heat have the most loyal fans in the NBA.

See also:
- Charles Barkley Says Miami Heat Don't Have Real Fans, Is Easily Proven Wrong by Math
- Dear America: Stop Criticizing Miami Heat Fans

Update: The Internet still hates Miami Heat fans. We hate you back, Internet. Read our response to the Twitter haters.

The Brand Keys Sports Fan Loyalty Index interviews fans in the media markets of all 30 NBA teams to provide a direct comparison of each fan base. Besides win-loss record, the survey includes things like "authenticity," "fan bonding," and "history and tradition."

Miami Heat fans came in No. 1 this year, up from No. 6 in 2012. We replace last year's most loyal fans, the San Antonio Spurs, who fell to No. 2. The New York Knicks, Boston Celtic, and the tied fan bases of the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder round out the top five.

The Charlotte Bobcats came in at the very bottom.

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