The New York Knicks captured the 2026 NBA title with a 94-90 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5, ending a championship drought that dated to 1973 and removing the franchise from the list of teams with title droughts of 50 years or more, according to the source.
The same source listed several NFL franchises whose title droughts have reached half a century or more. The Arizona Cardinals hold the longest active drought among the four major U.S. leagues at 78 years, last winning a championship in 1947 against the Philadelphia Eagles. That game took place before the Super Bowl era and while the Cardinals were based in Chicago; quarterback Paul Christman went 3-for-14 for 54 yards with two interceptions, and halfback Elmer Angsman rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns, according to the source.
The Detroit Lions’ drought stands at 68 years. The franchise won NFL titles in 1952, 1953 and 1957, with the 1957 victory — a 59-10 defeat of the Cleveland Browns — marking the start of the current dry spell. In that game, quarterback Tobin Rote completed 12 of 19 passes for 280 yards and four touchdown passes, and added a rushing touchdown; Detroit’s defense intercepted Cleveland five times, including a touchdown return by defensive back Terry Barr, according to the source.
The Tennessee Titans’ lineage to the Houston Oilers leaves that franchise with a 64-year championship drought in the NFL. The Oilers’ 1961-62 title over the then-San Diego Chargers was an American Football League championship, a 10-3 victory highlighted by a 35-yard touchdown from George Blanda to Billy Cannon. The Oilers also selected Mike Ditka in the AFL draft that season, though Ditka signed with the Chicago Bears after being chosen by them in the NFL draft, according to the source.
The Los Angeles Chargers, who were based in San Diego at the time, have a 62-year drought. The 1963 AFL champions went 11-3 and defeated the Boston Patriots 51-10 in the title game, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and pulling away, according to the source.
While the Knicks’ title removes one long-standing drought from the list, several NFL franchises remain without an NFL championship for five decades or longer, according to the source.
