MLB · 10 months ago

Worst Heel Turns in Sports History: Players & Teams Who Sold Out

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

You Can't Beat 'Em. Join 'Em: Kevin Durant Leaves OKC for Golden State
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Kevin Durant stunned the NBA world when he left the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors—the very team that had just eliminated OKC in the Western Conference Finals. Many fans saw the move as a betrayal, as he joined a 73-win Warriors team that was already stacked. Durant would go on to win two NBA championships with Golden State, but the backlash from Thunder fans never faded.
Sports Biggest Heel Turns
On the heels of John Cena's heel turn at WWE's Elimination Chamber on Saturday, it got us thinking of some of sports' biggest turns. While someone switching sides is common in the wrestling world, it has become more and more seen in the age of big contracts and little allegiances in team sports. Sports history is filled with betrayals that left fans heartbroken and furious. Whether it was a star player leaving for a rival team or an owner relocating a beloved franchise, these moments defined the biggest villains in sports. From Kevin Durant's move to Golden State to Luis Figo’s infamous switch to Real Madrid, these controversial decisions changed the game forever.
Wayne Gretzky Escapes Edmonton for Hollywood
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Wayne Gretzky was the heart of the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, winning four Stanley Cups and changing the game forever. But in 1988, he was shockingly traded to the LA Kings, with many blaming his actress wife, Janet Jones, for influencing the move. The trade left Canada in heartbreak and forever changed the NHL landscape.
Luis Figo’s Barcelona to Real Madrid Treason
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Luis Figo’s transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid for a record-breaking £37.5 million made him the most hated man in Catalonia. When he returned to Camp Nou, Barca fans hurled everything from coins to a severed pig’s head at him. Winning La Liga and the Ballon d’Or with Madrid only made the hatred stronger.
Baltimore Colts’ Midnight Move to Indianapolis
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Maryland sports fans endured one of the most infamous betrayals in history when Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay moved the team to Indianapolis—literally in the middle of the night in 1984. The city awoke to find its beloved Colts gone. Adding an ironic twist, Baltimore would later benefit from another controversial move, which we get into in the next slide.
Art Modell: Cleveland Browns Move to Baltimore
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In 1995, Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell devastated the city by relocating the franchise to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens. Adding salt to the wound, the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001, just six years after leaving Cleveland. Although the NFL later awarded Cleveland a new Browns franchise, the betrayal still stings for fans who had to watch their former team find success elsewhere.
Carlos Tevez’s Manchester United to City Controversy
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Carlos Tevez was beloved at Manchester United, where he won two Premier League titles and a Champions League. But the move was considered treason when he left for their fierce rivals, Manchester City. Tevez helped City break United’s dominance, winning the 2011-12 title, proving his controversial switch was worth it.
Roger Clemens Joins the Yankees and Ignites Subway Series
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After leaving the Boston Red Sox to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays, Roger Clemens made things even worse by later joining the Yankees—Boston’s most hated rival. The Clemens heel persona escalated during the 2000 World Series when he infamously threw a broken bat toward Mike Piazza, adding fuel to his reputation as one of baseball’s biggest villains.
Moneyball to Moneybags: Jason Giambi Abandons Oakland for the Yankees
Jason Giambi was the face of the Oakland A’s, but after back-to-back ALDS losses to the New York Yankees, he jumped ship to the Bronx. A’s fans felt betrayed as Giambi left for a massive payday, helping the Yankees maintain their dominance while Oakland struggled to compete financially.
Johnny Damon’s Red Sox-to-Yankees Betrayal
Johnny Damon was a fan favorite in Boston, playing a crucial role in the Red Sox’s historic 2004 ALCS comeback against the Yankees and then their first World Series win in 86 years. But in 2006, Damon stunned Red Sox Nation by signing with the Yankees, reigniting memories of Babe Ruth’s sale that sparked the "Curse of the Bambino." It's not surprising that the Evil Empire is at the heart of three heel turns.
LeBron James’ “Decision” to Join Miami
LeBron James’ infamous “Decision” special in 2010 saw him announce he was “taking his talents to South Beach” to join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. Cleveland Cavaliers fans felt abandoned, burning his jerseys in the streets. While LeBron won two titles with Miami, the sting of his departure wasn’t forgotten until he returned to Cleveland and delivered them a championship in 2016.
You Can't Beat 'Em. Join 'Em: Kevin Durant Leaves OKC for Golden State
Dunk on the sportsbooks tonight! Grab SportsGrid’s free NBA picks, NBA props, and NBA SGPs.

Kevin Durant stunned the NBA world when he left the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 to join the Golden State Warriors—the very team that had just eliminated OKC in the Western Conference Finals. Many fans saw the move as a betrayal, as he joined a 73-win Warriors team that was already stacked. Durant would go on to win two NBA championships with Golden State, but the backlash from Thunder fans never faded.
Sports Biggest Heel Turns
On the heels of John Cena's heel turn at WWE's Elimination Chamber on Saturday, it got us thinking of some of sports' biggest turns. While someone switching sides is common in the wrestling world, it has become more and more seen in the age of big contracts and little allegiances in team sports. Sports history is filled with betrayals that left fans heartbroken and furious. Whether it was a star player leaving for a rival team or an owner relocating a beloved franchise, these moments defined the biggest villains in sports. From Kevin Durant's move to Golden State to Luis Figo’s infamous switch to Real Madrid, these controversial decisions changed the game forever.

Worst Heel Turns in Sports History: Players & Teams Who Sold Out

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