A list of Boston sports teams: Logos, achievements, history, year of establishment

A list of Boston sports teams: Logos, achievements, history, year of establishment

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:29 PM

Boston sports teams have been incredibly successful, with multiple championships in each major professional sports league. This success has earned them a reputation as one of the most successful sports cities in the United States. They have had some of the most iconic players in sports history, including Ted Williams, Larry Bird, Tom Brady, and David Ortiz, to name just a few.

Boston sports teams
David Pastrnak, #88 of the Bruins, touches the team logo before their game against the Carolina Hurricanes at the TD Garden on May 12, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Steve Babineau
Source: Getty Images

All Boston sports teams have some of the most intense rivalries in sports, particularly with teams from New York, including the Yankees, Knicks, and Giants.

How many professional sports teams are in Boston?

These rivalries often create an electric atmosphere during games and fuel the competitive spirit of the teams and their fans. All teams' logos, achievements, history, year of establishment and why the teams are so good are discussed right here.

1. Boston Celtics (NBA)

Boston sports teams logos
The NBA 75-year logo on Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics uniform before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on December 22, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Omar Rawlings
Source: Getty Images

It is an American professional basketball team based in Boston. The Celtics compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.

  • History: They were founded in 1946 by Walter A. Brown and have been among the most successful franchises in the National Basketball Association (NBA) history
  • Logo: Zang Auerbach, Red's younger brother, created the present team logo in the early 1950s. The alternative Boston logo is a slight variation on the original, featuring Lucky the leprechaun's silhouette on a green background
  • Achievements: One of the most successful franchises in sports history, the Celtics won 11 of 13 National Basketball Association (NBA) championships from 1957 to 1969. Overall, they have won 17 NBA titles

2. Boston Bruins (NHL)

All Boston sports teams
Jeremy Swayman, #1 of the Boston Bruins, is seen during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on March 26, 2023, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Photo: Josh Lavallee
Source: Getty Images

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.

  • History: In 1924, the Bruins became the first American-based team in the National Hockey League. Together with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Chicago Blackhawks, they are known as one of the "Original Six" teams in the NHL. The original general manager, Art Ross, thought of the name
  • Logo: The Bruins made a permanent modification in honour of the franchise's silver anniversary by adopting the "spoked B." This was done as a tribute to Boston's nickname, "The Hub," first used in Oliver Wendell Holmes's The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table
  • Achievements: The Bruins have won the Stanley Cup six times (1929, 1939, 1941, 1970, 1972, and 2011). Established in 1924, the Bruins were the first American team to join the NHL

3. Boston Red Sox (MLB)

Boston sports teams championships
This photo illustration displays the Boston Red Sox logo on a smartphone. The Boston Red Sox is an American professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Igor Golovin
Source: Getty Images

The Boston Red Sox is an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox competes as an American League East division member club in Major League Baseball.

  • History: The team, originally known as the Boston Americans, joined the American League in 1901 and is one of the league's original eight franchises. Before moving to Fenway Park in 1912, the team called the Huntington Avenue Grounds home from 1901 to 1911
  • Logo: As in the team's shirts, the Red Sox baseball club is one of the most recognisable and well-liked ever because of its rich history and storied traditions. The iconic red socks of the Boston Red Sox are a clever and outlandish take on the team's name and history
  • Achievements: Red Sox players have won 12 MVP Awards, most recently by Mookie Betts in 2018; 7 Cy Young Awards, most recently by Rick Porcello in 2016; 6 Rookie of the Year Awards, most recently by Dustin Pedroia in 2007; and 2 Manager of the Year Awards, most recently by Jimy Williams in 1999, all as voted for by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA)

4. Boston Pride (NWHL)

All Boston sports teams
The Boston Pride celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Whitecaps in the NWHL Isobel Cup Championship at Warrior Ice Arena on March 27, 2021, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: by Maddie Meyer
Source: Getty Images

The Boston Pride are a professional women's ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are one of the four charter franchises of the Premier Hockey Federation, formerly the National Women's Hockey League.

  • History: In the wake of the Stonewall riots in June 1970, roughly fifty homosexual activists organised the first Boston Pride march from Cambridge Common to Boston Common. It occurred on June 26, 1971, and approximately 300 people participated.
  • Logo: There have been two prominent logos, the Boston Pride. For the first season, they used a primary wordmark reading "PRIDE" in black with yellow drop shadowing; the "I" was made to look like it a lion's claw was tearing, and the city name "BOSTON" was arched above in silver
  • Achievements: The players were named finalists for the 2022-23 PHF Awards. They also led the league with 40 points, matching the PHF single-season record (20 assists & 1.8 points per game)

5. The New England Revolution (MLS)

Boston sports teams shirt
Dylan Borrero #11 of New England Revolution during the match against Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on March 12, 2023. Los Angeles FC won the game 4-0. Photo by Shaun Clark
Source: Getty Images

The New England Revolution is an American professional soccer club based in the Greater Boston area that competes in Major League Soccer in the Eastern Conference of the league. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the company since its inaugural season.

  • History: The Revs' history of MLS play is the only one in which every game has been broadcast on national television. The U.S. Open Cup in 2007 was the first major trophy the Revolution had ever won. They were North American SuperLiga champions in 2008. In 2021, they took home their first-ever Supporters' Shield
  • Logo: Club officials have stated that "defiance" and the "Revs spirit" are represented by the central seal's flag-like bunting, colonial-era letter R, and slash or "strikethrough"
  • Achievements: In 2021, the Revolution finished with the best regular-season record in club history, earning them the trophy known as the Supporters' Shield. In 2019, Los Angeles FC had the most points in the MLS with 72, but New England broke that record with 73

6. The New England Patriots (NFL)

Why are Boston sports teams so good?
Buffalo Bills Dean Marlowe (31) displays a patch for Damar Hamlin (3) vs New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Photo: Simon Bruty
Source: Getty Images

The New England Patriots play American football professionally and are headquartered in Boston. The Patriots are a football team from New England that plays in the American Football Conference East of the National Football League.

  • History: The franchise, formerly known as the Boston Patriots and founded in 1959, joined the NFL in 1970 due to the merger between the AFL and the NFL. Before moving to Foxborough in 1971, the Patriots played their home games in several Boston-area facilities
  • Logo: New England's first logo was a simple tricorne hat in navy blue and white. Only the first season of the play saw its use (1960). The team dared to switch to a new logo in 1993, after the 1992 season, which featured more detail
  • Achievements: After 11 American Football Conference victories, the Patriots have won six Super Bowls (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017, and 2019). The Patriots will be playing in the Super Bowl for the 11th time, an NFL record. Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Denver are next, with eight teams each

7. Boston Breakers (NWSL)

All Boston sports teams logo
Boston Breakers goalkeeper Abby Smith during the second half of the Portland Thorns' 2-0 victory over the Breakers at Providence Park on May 27th, 2017. Photo: Diego Diaz.
Source: Getty Images

The Boston Breakers was an American professional soccer club based in the Boston neighbourhood of Allston. The team competed in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

  • History: The Breakers were founded in 2008 and played in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) until it folded in 2012. They then joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) until they ceased operations in 2018
  • Logo: A blue shield with a white "B"

8. Boston Cannons (MLL)

How many are professional sports teams in Boston?
J. Hawkins #33 of the Cannons during an MLL lacrosse game against the Chesapeake Bayhawks at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on July 16, 2015, in Annapolis, Maryland. Photo: Mitchell Layton
Source: Getty Images

The Cannons Lacrosse Club are a professional men's field lacrosse team in the Premier Lacrosse League. Formerly based in Boston, Massachusetts, they played Major League Lacrosse as the Cannons from their inaugural 2001 season to 2020. The team's home field was Veterans Memorial Stadium in nearby Quincy.

  • History: The Cannons were founded in 2001 and have been one of the most successful teams in the MLL
  • Logo: A black and gold cannon
  • Achievements: 2 MLL Championships (2011, 2015)

Why are Boston sports teams so good?

Boston sports teams have had significant championships with some of the most iconic players in history. Their fans are known for their passion and loyalty, with many willing to brave harsh weather conditions to attend games and support their teams.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.