Apr 8, 2022 - Sports
All-time playoff droughts hit teams on both coasts
- Kendall Baker, author of Axios Sports
A close up shot of the logo belonging to the Sacramento Kings, one of the teams that missed the playoffs again this week. Photo: Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
The Sacramento Kings and Buffalo Sabres were both officially eliminated from postseason contention this week.
Why it matters: We're currently witnessing the longest playoff drought in both NBA and NHL history.
Longest playoff droughts (all-time):
- NBA: Kings — 16 seasons (2007-present)
- NHL: Sabres — 11 seasons (2012-present)
- MLB: St. Louis Browns* — 41 seasons (1903-44)
- NFL: Washington Redskins* (1946-70); Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals* (1949-73) — 25 seasons
Of note: The longest active droughts in the NFL and MLB belong to the Jets (11 seasons) and Mariners (20).
*Now the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals