It can definitely be a challenge. But here are some of the reasons we stay devoted to our Minnesota sports teams.

1.Someone has to do it.

Even though they don’t usually find success at the playoffs, it can still be fun to watch the Wild, Vikings, Twins, and Timberwolves come within mind-blowing proximity to making it, year after year.

2.It’s always a thrill.

No matter the sport, it almost always promises to be a thrill ride with all the ups and downs of a great roller coaster.

3.It can be nice to have a team to call your own.

Despite having teams that don’t win, at least we’re proud of our teams that don’t win. Die-hard fans make the whole sport experience into what it is.

4.Some of us have been fans our whole lives.

When it’s all you’ve ever known, you don’t give up when the going gets tough.

5.The occasional victory makes it all worth it.

When the Wild won their fifth playoff game this past Friday night against Dallas, it reminded us of their potential to go far in their sport.

6.There’s always hope…

Despite facing many years of disappointment, there is always the hope that our teams could go all the way. After all, the Twins have been to World Series not once, but twice! And how often have the Wild been in the playoffs? Many, many times…

7.It’s more fun to cheer for the underdog.

It simply isn’t quite as exciting to cheer for a team that makes it in almost every year. While it’s great to say your home-state is successful in sports, having a less successful team make it far is much more exciting and enjoyable to watch.

I guess what I’m saying is “Go Wild!” Or Twins, or Timberwolves, or Vikings…