Chicago Sports: A 2021 Forecast

Chicago is a city with a long history of sports. In the earlier years of the city up until the mid-nineteenth century, men outnumbered women significantly in Chicago. This naturally led to a culture based around traditionally male pastimes, which of course resulted in a keen interest in sports of all kinds.

As the years went on and Chicago began to expand rapidly, early passions for gambling and drinking led to the birth of numerous sporting teams that would eventually move away from the bachelor culture and into the mainstream. Chicago today is home to numerous top-flight sports teams across several disciplines. This includes some of the most popular sports in North America today, such as baseball, basketball, and football.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are perhaps one of the best-known NBA teams outside of the US today. The primary reason for this international fame is Michael Jordan. Jordan played for the Bulls for 13 seasons beginning in 1984. The dawn of Michael Jordan was the dawn of a new era for basketball. People around the world who had never previously taken an interest in the sport found themselves tuning into televised games to see “Air Jordan” compete and, even once Jordan left, continued to follow the league.

The Chicago Bulls have achieved much throughout the history of the franchise, both during the Jordan years and outside that window. As we enter the 2021 season, the Bulls are led by Billy Donovan, one of the most highly regarded and widely respected coaches in the NBA. The roster features names such as Zach LaVine and Coby White, both of whom are making names for themselves on the court. Both LaVine and White could be up for All-Star status in the very near future, while those into sports betting will see that the Chicago Bulls odds are high for reaching this year’s NBA playoffs.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have a long and illustrious history as contenders in US baseball. Established in 1870, the Cubs enjoyed their best decade in history at the turn of the 20th century. Between 1900 and 1910, the Cubs won their first World Series and generated several all-time major league baseball records. While this may have been a high point, the Chicago Cubs have never experienced a low point that has lasted very long.

Looking forward to the 2021 season, the Cubs will be seeking to replicate 2016, when they last won the World Series. Several members of the winning team are still on the roster, although rumor has it that this could be the year that the World Series-winning core could be broken up properly.

Chicago Bears

Football fans in Chicago have not been enjoying as much vicarious success recently as baseball and basketball supporters. The Chicago Bears are currently the second from last favorites to win the upcoming Super Bowl LV, which is scheduled to take place in early February 2021.

The team has made a few major changes for the past couple of seasons, so it may be time for a bit of a shake-up. The off-season could therefore result in plenty of movement both within the existing team and in terms of trades. The Bears are not exactly awash with cash, so it could be that one or two of the pricier veterans are offloaded in favor of a roster of younger, greener, and more cost-effective players.

Chicago Black Hawks

The Chicago Black Hawks hockey team had a tricky start to the 2021 season, facing the previous Stanley Cup winners Tampa Bay Lightning in their very first game of the year. Forecasts suggest that the upcoming season will be challenging for the Hawks, who are heavily outgunned in the Central Division by several teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, the Dallas Stars, and the aforementioned Tampa Bay Lightning.

Although there is little chance of the Hawks taking home any significant trophies this season, fans can expect to see some changes to the roster that might begin to make a difference to the fortunes of the franchise. While the Black Hawks have won several Stanley Cups throughout their history, it seems unlikely that this year will net them another trophy.

Chicago Fire FC

Chicago Fire FC was only formed in 1998 but, since that time, has established itself as a team to watch. Named for the infamous Great Chicago Fire, the team has certainly been hot on many occasions, Chicago Fire FC have tucked four US Open Cups under their belts in two decades and were victorious in the debut year of the MLS Cup Championship.

In 2021, Chicago Fire is playing with a strong team and an ambitious drive to win, having not made the playoffs last season. Chicago Fire has a young and driven team with space for new players who could make the difference between winning and losing.

Sports fans in Chicago are spoilt for choice when it comes to pro teams, and there are plenty of amateur and college teams to fill in any gaps in the viewing schedule. While not every team is on top of its game at present, there is a chance that Chicago locals could see at least one significant trophy heading home in 2021.

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