6 extinct 1990s sports teams that should be brought back to life Over the years, many sports teams have come and gone.

Some of those teams fizzled out without much fanfare, but others found a way to stick in the minds of fans, with some waiting for the day that they might make a comeback.

There is no exact science for what makes one defunct team more revered than others. Perhaps it was iconic branding, memorable moments, or even just plain nostalgia fuelling the desire for a team to return.

For many fans, the 1990s were a goldmine for these types of teams. The unique design elements of the decade, combined with that sweet spot for nostalgia, make for a perfect storm in wanting to see a team come back from the ashes.

We’d like to see these six teams return:


1. VANCOUVER GRIZZLIES (NBA)



Years active: 1995 to 2001

The NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies may have been the most stylish team to ever take to the hardcourt.

With uniforms heavily inspired by local Indigenous art and a classic ’90s logo, the Grizzlies remain one of the most iconic basketball brands, despite only lasting six seasons.

The Grizzlies were victims of a poor Canadian dollar at the turn of the century, but that shouldn’t rule out another try at making a team work in Vancouver.

It’s a world-class city and one that deserves another kick at hosting an NBA team, and not just for training camp, like the Dallas Mavericks plan on doing later this summer.


2. MONTREAL EXPOS (ML



Years active: 1969 to 2005

The Montreal Expos were Canada’s original MLB team, having come into existence eight years before the Toronto Blue Jays.

The lack of a new ballpark and turbulent ownership led to the demise of the Expos in the mid-2000s, but multiple MLB spring training games have been held there with great success, showing an appetite for major league baseball in Montreal.

Rumours of the Expos’ return have been steady throughout the past few decades, but so far nothing has come to fruition, though the MLB has not completely ruled it out.


3. QUEBEC NORDIQUES (NHL)



Years active: 1972 to 1995

Go to any NHL relocation list, and Quebec City is bound to be on every single one, and there is a good reason for it. They have a new NHL-ready arena waiting, they have the passion to support a team, and they are a city with a hockey-rich history.

Like the Grizzlies, a poor Canadian dollar helped spell the end for the Quebec Nordiques. With the NHL expanding to non-traditional markets lately, it’s time to give Quebec City a shot.


4. HARTFORD WHALERS (NHL)



Years active: 1972 to 1997

Unlike the other teams on this list, it’s not as certain if a comeback could realistically be supported for the Hartford Whalers.

The NHL club was a mainstay in the league for about two decades before things started to get dicey. They would be one of the smaller markets in the league, and there hasn’t exactly been a huge push to bring the team back.

Still, they sported one of the best logos/uniforms in professional sports and, for that reason, we want to see them back full-time. Sure, the Carolina Hurricanes bust out a Whalers throwback once a year, but something more consistent would be preferred.


5. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (NBA)



Years active: 1967 to 2008

The Seattle Supersonics just felt right, and the city has never really gotten over their 2008 relocation to become the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They are the only team on this list to have won a championship (doing so in 1979), and that has left a permanent legacy on the city of Seattle. The desire to see the Sonics return has been well documented over the past few decades, and it seems like a return is inevitable.

Just last month, NBA commissioner Adam Silver made some encouraging comments on the prospects of a Supersonics return, so we may get our wish sooner rather than later here.


6. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (NFL)



Years active: 1961 to 2016

The San Diego Chargers may not have won a Super Bowl in their 65-year history, but they felt like a legacy franchise in the NFL.

The iconic lightning strikes on the shoulders and helmet of the Chargers felt at home in San Diego. While they didn’t move far, just north to L.A., it still doesn’t feel quite right, especially with the LA Rams sharing the same stadium with them.

We wouldn’t mind seeing them get back to their old stomping grounds.
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