The Swamp

I was daydreaming a bit earlier today, and this question popped in my head. What do you consider to be the most prestigious trophy or cup in sports?

Yes, there is some bias toward American sports. Feel free to suggest others.

I would go with the World Cup first and the NBA O'Brien Trophy second.

What about Triple Crown? is that a trophy?

I went Jules Rimet, and I think the fact that it's only awarded every four years had something to do with my choice. That, and the mythology behind the event.

Rex wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:32 pm I would go with the World Cup first and the NBA O'Brien Trophy second.

D'oh. Forgot about the NBA trophy.

And Degen, there's no trophy for horse racing's triple crown.

Sabo wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:35 pm

Rex wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:32 pm I would go with the World Cup first and the NBA O'Brien Trophy second.

D'oh. Forgot about the NBA trophy.

And Degen, there's no trophy for horse racing's triple crown.

Horse's Ass there isn't

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_Crown_Trophy

DAMMIT.

(Fuck horses. Except the business one.)

If you're talking the actual, literal trophy I'd say Stanley Cup since there's only one of them and there's a lot more mystique and superstition and history and whatnot around it (well, technically there's two, but that's a long story).

(Also, the Jules Rimet Trophy is retired since 1974. The World Cup winner receives a replica of the "FIFA World Cup Trophy" now.)

I think the coolest looking or most iconic trophy is a different question, no?

I was pretty close to putting the NBA first. Basketball has a wide global reach, the NBA is the unquestioned pinnacle of the game, and the champion is invariably a great team because of the format. It's pretty much what separates basketball legends from merely great players, moreso than in any other sport.

I feel like Stanley Cup is a no-brainer.

Does the trophy being for an individual vs. a team weight it differently. The Claret Jug or the Heisman is for the best individual player of ALL the players. Is that a distinction that matters? I voted World Cup because it is on a national level. The best in the world.

Rex wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:51 pm I think the coolest looking or most iconic trophy is a different question, no?

I was pretty close to putting the NBA first. Basketball has a wide global reach, the NBA is the unquestioned pinnacle of the game, and the champion is invariably a great team because of the format. It's pretty much what separates basketball legends from merely great players, moreso than in any other sport.

If you are talking about wide global reach and the unquestioned pinnacle of the sport, it's got to be the World Cup trophy (that's the way I interpreted the question, and voted.)

But, if we are talking specifically about the hardware, it's got to be the Stanley Cup.

bfj wrote: ↑Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:21 pm Does the trophy being for an individual vs. a team weight it differently. The Claret Jug or the Heisman is for the best individual player of ALL the players. Is that a distinction that matters? I voted World Cup because it is on a national level. The best in the world.

What's the trophies called that are awarded to winners of single-handed, oceanic sailing races?

/thread

I think you'd have to separate team trophies from individual ones. Team trophy - I went World Cup from that list. I don't think it's that close.

For individual trophies - I agree that the Heisman is probably the most prestigious one in the US. Not sure why, since college football is far from the most popular sport, and football is so team-oriented, but for whatever reason, that one is huge. Internationally, the choice is probably the FIFA Footballer of the Year.