The Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Ravens have the best front offices in their respective sports leagues, according to their peers. The Athletic polled 40 executives and coaches from each of the four major U.S. sports leagues — MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL — and asked them to rank the top front offices. The Thunder, led by General Manager Sam Presti, topped the list with 354 points, including 29 first-place votes. The Dodgers earned 284 points with 19 first-place votes and the Ravens achieved 259 points with 15 first-place votes.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have excelled due to the leadership of the organization, with Sam Presti proving himself to be a leading basketball architect. Building around Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook showcased his abilities. The team’s most recent strategy, focusing on both current title contention and future flexibility, has also proven successful. Presti has collected a number of draft picks as part of this strategy and, with the help of a strong front-office team, the Thunder are regarded as extremely well-positioned for future success.
The Los Angeles Dodgers received second-place accolades. Andrew Friedman, President of baseball operations, aimed to create the “golden era” of Dodger baseball upon his arrival in 2014. Overseeing a number of decisive signings, the team has not missed playoffs since he took over. Players such as Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani have been added to an already talented roster. The front office’s combination of strategic discipline and agility has been credited for its success.
The Baltimore Ravens’ front office ranked third. Known for maintaining consistency and understanding their key demographic of players, the front office – led by general manager, Eric DeCosta – has been celebrated for its strong track record in retaining talent and for guiding the team through quarterback Lamar Jackson’s contract extension. Recent developments like the trade for linebacker Roquan Smith and the drafting of new talent such as Kyle Hamilton and Zay Flowers have all been credited to Baltimore’s front office expertise.
The Tampa Bay Rays, who have won 90 or more games in four of the past five full seasons, are also praised for their innovative approach despite operating with a smaller budget. Their stellar performance can be credited to a robust scouting department, undervalued talent acquisitions and smart player trading, despite the turnover amongst the leadership. The Dallas Stars received positive comments for their targeting of new draft picks and trustworthy relationships built among executives. Their ability to assemble home-grown talent has set them apart from other teams. Boston Celtics also enjoyed a firm standing due to their trade for key players and overall team cohesiveness.
The Tampa Bay Lightning, who have won two Stanley Cups in addition to four consecutive Final appearances in the past five years, also garnered a significant share of praise. Their major turnaround despite coming from a bleak decade is admired by the analysts. Similarly, the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won three of the last five Super Bowls, have been credited for their stability and long-term planning. Their ability to scout and retain key players such as Patrick Mahomes has been appreciated. The Boston Celtics followed with the admiration of their trades and drafting strategies, making them the reigning champions. However, a looming ownership change may impact them going forward.
This ranking is not a scientific comparison of front office effectiveness, but rather reflects the perception of their direct competitors. While some clubs consistently make the top echelon, others need to make strategic changes to improve in future years.
