Ohio is a fiercely passionate sports state with deep historical roots in both professional and collegiate athletics.
* **Professional Football (NFL):** Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. (The NFL was founded in Canton, Ohio). * **Professional Baseball (MLB):** Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds (the Reds were the first fully professional baseball team). * **Professional Basketball (NBA):** Cleveland Cavaliers. * **Professional Hockey (NHL):** Columbus Blue Jackets. * **Professional Soccer (MLS):** Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati. * **Collegiate Athletics:** The **Ohio State Buckeyes** (Columbus) dominate the state's sports culture, particularly in football, playing at the iconic Ohio Stadium ("The Horseshoe"). Other significant collegiate programs include the University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the diverse Mid-American Conference (MAC) teams scattered across the state.