Sports are undoubtedly one of the greatest American pastimes, with team sports enjoying most of the attention from fans across the US. These avid followers come together or butt heads over which of their favorite teams deserved to win or which was robbed of a victory. Regardless of which sports teams you love or hate, some have greater support than others.
BetMGM Sportsbook has revealed the most-followed and fastest-growing pro sports teams of 2024 in a comprehensive study. The study analyzed the Social Blade follower counts and follower gains of all 150 teams across the NFL, NHL, MBA, MLS and MLB on social media platforms X and Instagram from January 1st to December 1st, 2024. Here are the findings from the study.
Overall Major Findings from all Sports for 2024
- The NBA is the most-followed pro sport overall (268,199,482), however, it is also the sport with the most follower losses of the year (-382,298).
- The NFL is the fastest-growing pro sport by followers (+7,154,432 gained this year).
- The Golden State Warriors (NBA) is the most followed pro sports team (41,109,494).
- Inter Miami CF (MLS) has the fastest follower growth (+1,691,868 gained this year).
- The Brooklyn Nets (NBA) lost the most followers this year (–143,069).
Most-Followed Sports Teams
Top 10 overall most-followed sports teams of 2024
The 10 teams across all sports that showed the highest amount of followers across X and Instagram were ranked:
| Rank |
Team |
Sport |
Overall Followers |
| 1 |
Golden State Warriors |
NBA |
41,109,494 |
| 2 |
Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA |
36,918,184 |
| 3 |
Cleveland Cavalier |
NBA |
19,874,003 |
| 4 |
Inter Miami CF |
MLS |
18,502,373 |
| 5 |
Chicago Bulls |
NBA |
14,817,324 |
| 6 |
Boston Celtics |
NBA |
12,571,877 |
| 7 |
Miami Heat |
NBA |
11,727,507 |
| 8 |
New England Patriots |
NFL |
9,656,474 |
| 9 |
Houston Rockets |
NBA |
9,524,576 |
| 10 |
Dallas Cowboys |
NFL |
9,353,545 |
Teams With Most Follower Growth
Top 10 teams with the most new followers in 2024
The 10 teams across all sports that showed the highest growth in followers this year across X and Instagram, were ranked:
| Rank |
Team |
Sport |
Followers Gained (2024) |
| 1 |
Inter Miami CF |
MLS |
1,691,868 |
| 2 |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
MLB |
1,455,417 |
| 3 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
NFL |
1,313,171 |
| 4 |
Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA |
1,132,032 |
| 5 |
Dallas Mavericks |
NBA |
860,990 |
| 6 |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
NBA |
811,259 |
| 7 |
San Francisco 49ers |
NFL |
741,837 |
| 8 |
Detroit Lions |
NFL |
712,574 |
| 9 |
New York Yankees |
MLB |
613,733 |
| 10 |
Boston Celtics |
NBA |
604,945 |
Findings Per Sporting Category
Here is a summary of the overall total follower count and follower growth across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS in 2024.
| Sport |
Overall Total Following |
2024 Follower Growth |
| NHL |
57,777,598 |
1,742,497 |
| NFL |
139,412,114 |
7,154,432 |
| MLS |
36,520,552 |
2,880,119 |
| NBA |
268,199,492 |
5,499,244 |
| MLB |
81,039,611 |
4,045,670 |
Take an in-depth look at our findings for each of these sports:
NFL Findings
- New England Patriots is the most-followed team of 2024 (9,656,474), however, they are the only NFL team to be declining in growth this year (-28,531 followers)
- The most-followed division is NFC East (24,507,750)
- Kansas City Chiefs have gained the most followers this year (+1,313,171)
NBA Findings
- The Golden State Warriors is the most-followed team of 2024 (41,109,494)
- The most-followed division is Pacific (94,261,598)
- Los Angeles Lakers have gained the most followers this year (+1,132,032)
- Brooklyn Nets is the team losing the most followers this year (-143,069)
MLB Findings
- New York Yankees is the most-followed team of 2024 (7,792,563)
- The most-followed division is American League East (19,274,211)
- Los Angeles Dodgers have gained the most followers this year (+1,455,417)
- Los Angeles Angels is the only team losing followers this year (-139,909)
NHL Findings
- Pittsburgh Penguins is the most-followed team of 2024 (4,774,462)
- The most-followed division is The Atlantic Division (16,906,342)
- Edmonton Oilers have gained the most followers this year (+167,778)
- No teams are declining in followers this year.
MLS Findings
- Inter Miami CF is the most-followed team of 2024 (18,502,373)
- Inter Miami CF has gained the most followers this year (+1,691,868)
- New York City FC has lost the most followers this year (-4,588)
Division Findings
We further unpacked what changes had occurred in the divisions for each sport.
NFL Divisions
Here are the BetMGM Sportsbook findings for each NFL division:
AFC East
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Buffalo Bills |
357,920 |
3,767,130 |
| Miami Dolphins |
198,398 |
3,277,645 |
| New England Patriots |
-28,531 |
9,656,474 |
| New York Jets |
96,893 |
2,620,043 |
NFC East
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Dallas Cowboys |
150,793 |
9,353,545 |
| New York Giants |
6,052 |
4,766,377 |
| Philadelphia Eagles |
550,356 |
7,735,732 |
| Washington Commanders |
134,009 |
2,652,096 |
AFC North
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Baltimore Ravens |
399,250 |
4,193,664 |
| Cincinnati Bengals |
224,730 |
3,419,892 |
| Cleveland Browns |
100,858 |
3,189,785 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers |
206,093 |
7,573,214 |
NFC North
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Chicago Bears |
189,141 |
3,851,760 |
| Detroit Lions |
712,574 |
3,456,126 |
| Green Bay Packers |
185,516 |
5,430,096 |
| Minnesota Vikings |
224,104 |
3,167,270 |
AFC South
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Houston Texans |
369,317 |
3,873,654 |
| Indianapolis Colts |
69,765 |
2,279,224 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars |
62,181 |
1,781,614 |
| Tennessee Titans |
47,099 |
2,036,690 |
NFC South
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Atlanta Falcons |
116,490 |
3,913,550 |
| Carolina Panthers |
36,282 |
5,033,045 |
| New Orleans Saints |
113,205 |
3,915,027 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
92,268 |
2,845,674 |
AFC West
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Denver Broncos |
47,530 |
4,256,177 |
| Kansas City Chiefs |
1,313,171 |
6,997,979 |
| Las Vegas Raiders |
102,320 |
4,355,230 |
| Los Angeles Chargers |
128,459 |
2,335,119 |
NFC West
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Arizona Cardinals |
62,037 |
2,372,899 |
| Los Angeles Rams |
117,752 |
3,061,845 |
| San Francisco 49ers |
741,837 |
6,333,339 |
| Seattle Seahawks |
26,563 |
5,910,199 |
NBA Divisions
These were our findings for each NBA division:
Atlantic
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Boston Celtics |
604,945 |
12,571,877 |
| Brooklyn Nets |
-143,069 |
6,826,428 |
| New York Knicks |
260,435 |
6,682,093 |
| Philadelphia 76ers |
168,148 |
6,811,547 |
| Toronto Raptors |
-27,573 |
6,677,568 |
Central
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Chicago Bulls |
-31,698 |
14,817,324 |
| Cleveland Cavalier |
-55,452 |
19,874,003 |
| Detroit Pistons |
58,364 |
2,741,668 |
| Indiana Pacers |
187,288 |
4,695,774 |
| Milwaukee Bucks |
2,570 |
7,548,878 |
North West
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Denver Nuggets |
443,015 |
4,445,697 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves |
811,259 |
5,097,345 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder |
127,521 |
8,802,419 |
| Portland Trail Blazers |
-7,512 |
4,476,367 |
| Utah Jazz |
57,909 |
2,703,780 |
Pacific
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Golden State Warriors |
317,191 |
41,109,494 |
| LA Clippers |
100,351 |
7,297,805 |
| Los Angeles Lakers |
1,132,032 |
36,918,184 |
| Phoenix Suns |
125,361 |
5,429,159 |
| Sacramento Kings |
24,632 |
3,506,956 |
South East
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Atlanta Hawks |
17,665 |
4,191,219 |
| Charlotte Hornets |
89,353 |
3,648,733 |
| Miami Heat |
-80,324 |
11,727,507 |
| Orlando Magic |
145,645 |
3,621,843 |
| Washington Wizards |
-33,124 |
2,769,186 |
South West
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Dallas Mavericks |
860,990 |
6,979,475 |
| Houston Rockets |
-3,546 |
9,524,576 |
| Memphis Grizzlies |
219,865 |
3,737,325 |
| New Orleans Pelicans |
14,323 |
4,175,657 |
| San Antonio Spurs |
112,680 |
8,789,605 |
MLB Divisions
Here are the 2024 follower growth and total following for each MLB division:
American League Central
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Chicago White Sox |
42,997 |
1,707,362 |
| Cleveland Guardians |
65,763 |
1,893,755 |
| Detroit Tigers |
108,654 |
2,536,363 |
| Kansas City Royals |
68,304 |
2,192,672 |
| Minnesota Twins |
45,135 |
1,294,982 |
American League East
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Baltimore Orioles |
146,926 |
1,624,581 |
| Boston Red Sox |
45,130 |
4,497,943 |
| New York Yankees |
613,733 |
7,792,563 |
| Tampa Bay Rays |
17,980 |
1,215,120 |
| Toronto Blue Jays |
42,647 |
4,144,004 |
American League West
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Houston Astros |
148,227 |
3,687,116 |
| Los Angeles Angels |
-139,909 |
2,670,527 |
| Oakland Athletics |
30,365 |
1,126,565 |
| Seattle Mariners |
103,029 |
1,652,166 |
| Texas Rangers |
48,718 |
2,526,499 |
National League Central
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Chicago Cubs |
69,890 |
4,523,126 |
| Cincinnati Reds |
77,473 |
1,766,401 |
| Milwaukee Brewers |
60,564 |
1,411,183 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates |
82,430 |
1,667,329 |
| St. Louis Cardinals |
58,485 |
2,592,857 |
National League East
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Atlanta Braves |
76,342 |
3,634,780 |
| Miami Marlins |
61,206 |
1,206,912 |
| New York Mets |
133,531 |
2,913,415 |
| Philadelphia Phillies |
199,303 |
3,520,216 |
| Washington Nationals |
11,066 |
1,517,270 |
National League West
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Arizona Diamondbacks |
62,322 |
1,314,388 |
| Colorado Rockies |
16,023 |
1,172,970 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers |
1,455,417 |
7,718,568 |
| San Diego Padres |
258,648 |
2,165,262 |
| San Francisco Giants |
35,271 |
3,352,716 |
NHL Divisions
We made the following findings for each NHL division:
Atlantic Division
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Boston Bruins |
100,292 |
3,418,516 |
| Buffalo Sabres |
30,557 |
1,429,225 |
| Detroit Red Wings |
67,551 |
2,249,533 |
| Florida Panthers |
143,575 |
998,313 |
| Montreal Canadiens |
41,938 |
2,605,426 |
| Ottawa Senators |
12,262 |
1,005,268 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning |
32,372 |
1,632,547 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs |
91,887 |
3,567,514 |
Metropolitan Division
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Carolina Hurricanes |
46,641 |
1,114,062 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets |
25,448 |
978,247 |
| New Jersey Devils |
40,270 |
1,341,363 |
| New York Islanders |
25,879 |
1,069,099 |
| New York Rangers |
84,678 |
2,906,449 |
| Philadelphia Flyers |
33,913 |
2,338,958 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins |
17,003 |
4,774,462 |
| Washington Capitals |
12,437 |
1,784,045 |
Central Division
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Chicago Blackhawks |
8,422 |
4,204,402 |
| Colorado Avalanche |
50,143 |
1,443,649 |
| Dallas Stars |
69,153 |
1,780,602 |
| Minnesota Wild |
31,509 |
1,376,356 |
| Nashville Predators |
20,062 |
1,138,719 |
| St. Louis Blues |
23,472 |
1,534,033 |
| Winnipeg Jets |
27,228 |
1,085,888 |
Pacific Division
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Anaheim Ducks |
39,526 |
1,137,079 |
| Calgary Flames |
33,732 |
1,175,461 |
| Edmonton Oilers |
167,778 |
1,952,209 |
| Los Angeles Kings |
8,397 |
1,871,285 |
| San Jose Sharks |
44,689 |
1,431,525 |
| Seattle Kraken |
31,693 |
960,977 |
| Vancouver Canucks |
137,647 |
1,866,301 |
| Vegas Golden Knights |
26,602 |
1,390,344 |
MLS
Here are the results on the MLS:
| Team |
2024 Follower Growth (+) |
Overall Total Following |
| Atlanta United FC |
18,232 |
1,542,576 |
| Austin FC |
9,989 |
307,210 |
| CF Montréal |
110,721 |
632,242 |
| Charlotte FC |
38,707 |
320,447 |
| Chicago Fire FC |
19,238 |
386,171 |
| Colorado Rapids |
16,105 |
253,628 |
| Columbus Crew |
35,564 |
454,740 |
| D.C. United |
4,537 |
399,625 |
| FC Cincinnati |
26,306 |
329,132 |
| FC Dallas |
318,680 |
692,574 |
| Houston Dynamo FC |
4,814 |
644,684 |
| Inter Miami CF |
1,691,868 |
18,502,373 |
| LA Galaxy |
35,867 |
2,087,942 |
| LAFC |
142,760 |
1,274,921 |
| Minnesota United FC |
11,846 |
317,759 |
| Nashville SC |
11,827 |
251,417 |
| New England Revolution |
21,163 |
291,008 |
| New York City FC |
-4,588 |
1,162,336 |
| New York Red Bulls |
21,835 |
498,204 |
| Orlando City SC |
17,343 |
911,809 |
| Philadelphia Union |
237,271 |
799,216 |
| Portland Timbers |
8,552 |
546,979 |
| Real Salt Lake |
10,133 |
315,273 |
| San Jose Earthquakes |
12,695 |
455,182 |
| Seattle Sounders FC |
-3,494 |
947,489 |
| Sporting Kansas City |
8,171 |
604,064 |
| St. Louis CITY SC |
31,130 |
289,886 |
| Toronto FC |
13,747 |
782,259 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps |
9,100 |
519,406 |
Methodology
Using a combination of Social Blade, Instagram and X data, BetMGM Sportsbook collected social following data on each pro team for the following sports: NFL, NHL, MLS, NBA and MLB.
We specifically looked at:
- Team total followers on X, and Instagram as of January 1st, 2024, versus December 1st, 2024 when the data was collected using SocialBlade historical data.
- Followers gained per team on X and Instagram since January 1st, 2024 using Social Blade historical data.
- Current followers obtained on X and Instagram via direct channels.
This data was collected, and follower counts between X and Instagram were added together as part of the study to conclude the combined social following and growth of each sports team.
Disclaimer: Utah Hockey Club was excluded from the analysis due to the establishment of the team in April 2024.
