Ultimate Cities (Among the 33 metros with more than one team):Maybe the big boys will learn that their financial viability and on-field success depends more than ever on satisfying fans' needs. But right now, places like Kansas City and Ottawa are th smart-money markets, not Chicago or Washington.
1. Kansas City
2. St. Louis
3. Nashville
Ultimate Coaches:
1. Bill Parcels
2. Dick Vermeil
3. Jerry Sloan
Ultimate Jumps (Franchises that moved the most from last year in our rankings):
1. Marlins
2. Royals
3. Cowboys
Ultimate Standings:
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Dallas Mavericks
3. Green Bay Packers
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Kansas City Chiefs
[The Chiefs pay attention to community, and it pays off for them. Every player must make at least five public apearances annually. Coach Dick Vermeil, who doesn't allow call-screening on his radio show, lives downtown and hangs out with whomever show up at hot spots like the Plaza III steakhouse. The players give love on the field (NFL's top-scoring O) and fans give it back: 108 straight sellouts and season ticket-holders from 45 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. ]
25. Kansas City Royals.
[How does a team leap 58 spots in our standings? Inspired promotions (free Krispy Kreme for every 12-hit game), inspired product (KC's first winning season since 1994, which means crowd favorite Mike Sweeney's locked up through 2007)., inspired fans (23,000 a game) inspired pricing ($12 a seat on average, MLB's second-cheapest) and inspired leadership (Manager of the Year Tony Pena had players wear "We Believe" T-Shirts). As the song says, everythings's up-to-date in Kansas City. ]