Who is America's Team? New poll gives New York Yankees the nod over Dallas Cowboys
For the first time in years, the Dallas Cowboys are no longer the team Americans are most likely to call "America's Team."
A new poll reported by the Sports Business Journal found the New York Yankees have claimed that title instead.
A CivicScience/Sports Business Journal Sports Consumer Insights survey found 20% of respondents selected the Yankees as America's Team, narrowly ahead of the Cowboys at 19%. The Pittsburgh Steelers ranked third with 14%.
According to Sports Business Journal, the poll suggests that cultural relevance and brand recognition continue to outweigh recent championships. The Yankees, Cowboys and Steelers all topped the rankings despite championship droughts dating back to 2009, 1996 and 2009, respectively.
The Yankees' 27 World Series titles, iconic interlocking "NY" logo and generations of star players - from Babe Ruth to Aaron Judge - have helped the franchise maintain worldwide recognition.
"The Yankee brand continues to be about tradition, excellence, winning and is represented by great players who embody that," Yankees President Randy Levine told Sports Business Journal.
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The Cowboys, meanwhile, remain one of sports' most recognizable brands under owner Jerry Jones. Sports Business Journal noted that Forbes valued the Cowboys at $13 billion in late 2025, making them the world's most valuable sports franchise, while the Yankees were tied for 10th at $8.2 billion.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New England Patriots rounded out the top five, each receiving 8% of the vote.
The survey also highlighted the staying power of the Chicago Bulls, who finished ninth with 6% despite not winning an NBA title since 1998. The Bulls were the only NBA franchise to crack the top 10, finishing ahead of teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks, whose championship came after the survey was conducted.
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This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 7:04 PM.