Pro Sports Teams

Despite having over eight million people, the disbursement of North Carolina's population over three major metropolitan areas left the state unable to attract any major professional sports league teams until recently. North Carolina remains without a Major League Baseball team despite numerous efforts to attract a team to the state (including a current push to relocate the Florida Marlins to Charlotte). Although more populous New Jersey also does not have an MLB team, North Carolina is the most populous state without a team from each of the major leagues either within or very close to the state's borders. On June 19, 2006 the Carolina Hurricanes, a National Hockey League (NHL) franchise based in Raleigh, won the Stanley Cup. The Hurricanes are the first professional sports team from North Carolina to win their sport's highest championship. For amateurs, the state holds the State Games of North Carolina each year.

Club
Sport
League

Carolina Panthers
Football
National Football League

Carolina Hurricanes
Ice hockey
National Hockey League

Charlotte Checkers
Ice hockey
Minor League Hockey; East Coast Hockey League

Fayetteville FireAntz
Ice hockey
Minor League Hockey; Southern Professional Hockey League

Charlotte Bobcats
Basketball
National Basketball Association

Raleigh Cougars
Basketball
United States Basketball Association

Charlotte Sting
Basketball
Women's National Basketball Association

Fayetteville Patriots
Basketball
NBA Development League

Asheville Tourists
Baseball
Minor League Baseball; South Atlantic League

Burlington Indians
Baseball
Minor League Baseball; Appalachian League

Carolina Mudcats
Baseball
Minor League Baseball; Southern League