The 10 best names of defunct sports teams from Kansas City

The history of professional sports in Kansas City can be traced back to the Kansas City Cowboys a professional baseball team that was founded in 1884. Throughout the history of this great city, many teams from just as many leagues have come and gone from powerhouse sports leagues like the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS to the World Team Tennis league, The Basketball league, American Association, Union Association, and the North American Soccer League. Before we get started some qualifiers. First, this team must have played in Kansas City Missouri so sorry Sporting and T-Bones/Monarchs, and Current. Also, this list will not include any currently active teams in Kansas City so Mavericks, Chiefs, Comets, and Royals are not on this list. With these qualifiers, this unfortunately takes the original Monarchs off the list because it is a name currently in use. So without any further ado here is my top ten favorite names from the almost 150-year history of professional sports teams in Kansas City.

10. Kansas City Spurs started this list off with an indoor soccer team the Spurs played at the Municipal Auditorium for only three seasons before they folded in 1970. An interesting name but it just doesn’t have the same kick as others on this list.

9. Kansas City Steers next our first of three basketball teams on our list takes us back to the earlier 1960s with a fairly successful team. Playing at the Municipal Auditorium and Memorial Hall for two years the Steers league the American Basketball League just didn’t have the staying power. The Steers rode off into the sunset in 1963 and number nine on our list.

8. Kansas City Scouts yes, those Scouts for only three years they called KC home. Playing at the time brand new Kemper Arena. They failed to be more than what their name would imply when it came to hockey in KC, but their legacy lives on in the minds of thousands of hockey fans here in the heartland.

7. Kansas City Blues The first of two, two for names on our list as many teams have taken on the Blues moniker. Three separate baseball teams used some form or variation of the name as well as the NFL team. Yes, Kansas City had an NFL team before the Chiefs. In the 1920s in fact where they had another name that we will get to on this list.

6. Kansas City Mustangs The first and only women’s sports team on this list the Mustangs called KC home from 1992 until 1996 when the league folded. They played their games at a building that got a lot of use over the years in the Municipal Auditorium. The Mustangs rode off leaving little to no memory of their time in KC expect for lists like this.

5. Kansas City Knights From the reboot of the ABA the Knights called KC home from 2000 until 2005. Playing at Kemper Arena they had a league title in their second year before failing to gather the fanbase needed. A name that is not only regal but plays off of the Kings name puts it at number 5 on this list.

4. Kansas City Cowboys The second of the two for names on our list belongs to the Cowboys who as you read in the open were the first pro sports team in Kansas City. Much like the Blues before the Cowboys name was used by multiple baseball teams and the first NFL team in KC. While it’s a great name it wasn’t good enough to overcome the others ahead of it.

3. Kansas City Blades possibly the most successful team to ever go defunct in Kansas City sports history you can ask any KC sports fans of a certain age and they will tell of fond memories. From 1990 until 2001 when the league folded winters in Kansas City were owned by the Blades. Possibly the only reason the Blades do not skate on into the modern day is because of the rules the AHL put in place that blocked the team from coming into the league. Kemper Arena would be rocking anytime the Blades played. Their legacy rivals that of the Scouts in Kansas City as possibly thousands of hockey fans were made in those magical 11 years. However, legacy alone couldn’t get the Blades past the top two on this list.

2. Kansas City Brigade No not the Command that name isn’t nearly as good as the Brigade. While they are the same team the Brigade technically suspended operations in 2008. So, I’m using that as justification for them being two different team names. I have a very small, but fond memory of going to a Brigade game when I was a kid with my dad. It was a Sunday afternoon, we drove to the Sprint Center to watch the game, and the Brigade got their ass whooped by the Arizona Rattlers (another top-tier name). But that afternoon instilled a love for sports and a want to know more about sports. I remember listening to Brigade games on the radio as a kid with my dad. I remember falling in love with the sport of football more from the Brigade than the Chiefs or any other team ever did. So truly this is my love letter to the Brigade for giving me this passion for sports. Plus, the name Brigade is cool as hell so that’s why it’s number two. However, there was a team whose name might be the one to rule them all in Kansas City sports history. One that took what the Command and Brigade started and created a beautiful name.

1. Kansas City Phantoms Not as in ghosts but as in the F-4 Phantom fighter jet. For only two seasons the Phantoms flew, but those two seasons were enough to leave an impression on me. Playing at the now Cable Dahmer Arena, but the then Silverstein Eye Centers Arena. The Phantoms were not good going 4-8 and 3-9. The name is what we are focusing on here however and with the close proximity to Whiteman Air Force Base. The name fit perfectly just as the Brigade did, but with a little more style.

That’s the list I’m sure some of you wanted the Tornadoes, Renegades, Kings, Outlaws, or Explorers on this list. Which just goes to show the depth that Kansas City has had when it comes to sports teams. Maybe I’ll do one team names of the AFL as I have the Brigade number two here and the Rattlers' name was fantastic as well as many others. However, until that list or any other I chose to do I’ve been Brock Gorton and I want the Coyotes to move to Kansas City they’d easily make my list at like four at least.