When you think of professional men’s sports in the New York/New Jersey area, your mind immediately thinks of New York, which is fair because there are nine local teams. Only one has New Jersey in its name. That’s because in New York he has six teams (Knicks, Nets, Yankees, Mets, Rangers and Islanders), while in the state he plays for three teams (Jets and Giants). Regardless.
Still, New Jersey (with the help of some loopholes) has been more successful than NYC since 2000 (and equal since 1990).
in total, Since 2000, New Jersey’s professional teams have competed in nine championships and won four. The New York City pro team has competed in seven championships, winning two.
The breakdown by sports is like this.
NBA – New York Knicks and New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
This is one of the few loopholes. He made it to the NBA Finals in both 2002 and 2003 while the Nets played at his IZOD Center in New Jersey before moving to Brooklyn in 2012.
Since 2000, the Knicks have won a total of three playoff series (two of them in 2000). While in New Jersey, the Nets won nine series in six playoff appearances between 2002 and 2007. Since moving to Brooklyn, they’ve only won two series in the series.
NJ made six playoff appearances from 2000-2011, while the Knicks made a total of seven playoff appearances from 2000-2021.
Overall, NJ is 9-5 with a playoff series win since 2000 and two NBA Finals appearances.
MLB – NY Yankees and NY Mets
New Jersey does not have an MLB team, so this is not a comparison here.
Since 2000, the Yankees have won two World Series in four appearances.
The Mets have appeared in two World Series and lost both, including a loss to the Yankees in 2000.
NHL – New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils
Overall, NJ leads 4-1 in Stanley Cup appearances despite their one-team-two disadvantage.
The Devils won the Stanley Cup in 2000 and 2003, but the Rangers entered in 2014 and lost.
The Islanders have reached the Eastern Conference Finals the past two seasons, but have not appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals since 1984.
NFL – New York Giants and New York Jets
There is another big loophole here. Both the New YORK Giants and New YORK Jets play in New Jersey. So when we talk about sports success in New Jersey, they clearly fall into that category.
The Giants have appeared in three Super Bowls (2000, 2007 and 2011) and won two, including defeating the undefeated Patriots in 2011.
The Jets have been less than successful, missing the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons, despite reaching the AFC Championship in consecutive years from 2009 to 2010.
Sponsored championship
New Jersey hosted the NBA Finals (2003) more recently than New York City (1999). Since the region last won a championship (Knicks in 1973), New Jersey and New York have each hosted his two NBA Finals series.
New York City recently hosted the Stanley Cup Finals (2014), but not as often as New Jersey (5 appearances since 1995).
The 2014 Super Bowl was technically held in both New York and New Jersey, with the majority of events being held in big cities. But the game itself was in New Jersey, so the state won her NYC again.
Nine professional men’s teams play in the NY/NJ area, but only one has New Jersey in its name. Nevertheless, the state has retained a clear edge over the big cities in recent championship success.
