Which front office is the best in sports?
In 2024, the answer to that question is the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Baltimore Ravens. At least according to their front-office peers.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Total points: 354 points (29 first-place votes)
Governor: Clayton Bennett
General manager: Sam Presti
Head coach: Mark Daigneault
It’s one thing to be crowned the winner of this inaugural front-office “competition,” but this was a landslide victory for Sam Presti and his staff. So, why all the league-wide adulation for the job they do?
For starters, Presti — who learned under R.C. Buford and Gregg Popovich in San Antonio before taking over this front office during the Seattle SuperSonics days in 2007 — has long since proven himself to be an elite hoops architect. Building those Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook teams (with James Harden early on) through the draft back in the day established that much. And his lack of a championship, quite clearly, was not seen by his peers as a disqualifier in this exercise.
But this latest Thunder creation is capable of two things that are typically impossible to accomplish at the same time: Title contention and (extreme) flexibility for the future. The master stroke that made it all possible — the July 2019 trade with the LA Clippers that brought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, five first-round picks and two first-round swaps to town in exchange for Paul George — set the stage for what could be a very long run of success. The choice to make Mark Daigneault the head coach in November 2020, when he was elevated from their G League team after five years running that program, has been a hit.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
Total points: 284 points (19 first-place votes)
Chairman: Mark Walter
President of baseball operations: Andrew Friedman
Manager: Dave Roberts
When Andrew Friedman left Tampa Bay for Los Angeles in the fall of 2014, he inherited a treasure trove of talent from Ned Colletti. Almost all those stars are gone a decade later, except for Clayton Kershaw. So are Farhan Zaidi, Alex Anthopoulos and Gabe Kapler, who acted as Friedman’s primary lieutenants in those early years. The organization remains a juggernaut, with Friedman now supplemented by general manager Brandon Gomes, assistant general managers Jeff Kingston and Alex Slater, and longtime advisor Josh Byrnes.
Friedman set a lofty goal for the franchise upon his arrival: He wanted this time to become known as “the golden era” of Dodger baseball. The team has never missed the postseason since he took over. The group has won two World Series in addition to winning the National League pennant in two other seasons. The acquisition of Shohei Ohtani has transformed the franchise into a financial behemoth.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Total points: 259 points (15 first-place votes)
Owner: Steve Bisciotti
General manager: Eric DeCosta
Head coach: John Harbaugh
It’s been more than five years since Ozzie Newsome stepped down as Baltimore’s GM. His disciples have kept the Ravens in contention nearly every year since.
Eric DeCosta, who was a player personnel intern for the Ravens’ inaugural season in 1996 and has been with the organization ever since, took the reins from Newsome in 2019, and Baltimore’s 56 victories over his first five seasons were tied for the third-most in the league.
DeCosta handled quarterback Lamar Jackson’s complicated contract situation, working past a trade request to execute a five-year, $260 million extension in 2023. Jackson then won his second MVP award last season.
34-44
Minnesota Twins, who have been helmed by president of baseball operations Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine since the fall of 2016.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2022 transition from longtime general manager Kevin Colbert to Omar Khan, who has been with the franchise since 2001.
San Antonio Spurs were the class of the NBA for nearly two decades, an almost unbelievable reign.
Montreal Canadiens executive vice president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton and general manager Kent Hughes haven’t been on the job long, but they have started the slow turnaround process for a team with some serious young talent.
47-57
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, the dapper wheeler-dealer who has taken four different franchises to the World Series.
Philadelphia 76ers were a divisive topic, with some NBA voters praising team president Daryl Morey’s creativity and drive and others dismissing his approach to team-building.
Edmonton Oilers have been a bit of a mixed bag, but they have the right pieces to make a push in the coming years.
60-69
Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s 13-year tenure has produced a pretty decent team, given the factors — including requested changes of scenery — that have gone against the Jets since they moved from Atlanta.
Seattle Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto is famed for his affinity for trades, but the Mariners have also found some nice pieces in the draft and on the international amateur market.
Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst has kept the team afloat while dealing with the challenges of injuries and player movement.
T70
New York Mets were a bit of a dark horse, but president of baseball operations David Stearns has brought a sense of stability and excitement to the team.
Los Angeles Clippers have struggled with injuries, but their young core and talented roster have the potential to turn things around in the near future.
Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t quite lived up to their potential, but they have the pieces in place to make a run in the coming years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Baltimore Ravens are the top three front offices in sports, according to a poll of 40 executives and coaches from the four major professional leagues. Sam Presti’s Thunder have a reputation for making shrewd trades and building a strong culture, while Andrew Friedman’s Dodgers have a knack for finding the right players to fill their roster holes. The Ravens, under Eric DeCosta, have a strong mix of veteran leaders and young talent.
Q: What criteria did the executives and coaches use to rank the front offices?
A: They used a combination of factors, including the front office’s track record of building and maintaining successful teams, making shrewd trades and free agent signings, and creating a strong culture and team identity.
Q: Were there any surprise inclusions in the top 10?
A: Yes, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Twins were higher on the list than some might have expected.
Q: How did the Los Angeles Dodgers finish in the ranking?
A: The Dodgers came in second, behind the Thunder.
Q: Who was ranked fourth?
A: The Baltimore Ravens were ranked fourth.
Q: What about the teams that didn’t make the top 10?
A: The rest of the teams in the ranking, from 11 to 70, included a mix of teams that have had success in the past, teams that have been rebuilding or are in transition, and teams that have had a lot of turnover in their front office.