Sports has always been a major component of life in California.  The state hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley Ski Resort, the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and the 1994 FIFA World Cup.  However, California is also home to 19 major professional sports league franchises that are part of leagues including the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and Major League Soccer.  Collegiate sports are also big in California, with universities such as UC Berkeley, USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Fresno State often containing nationally ranked athletic programs and teams.

The three major NFL franchises in California are the Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers.  The popular baseball teams part of the MLB in California include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.  NBA basketball teams include the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Sacramento Kings.  The Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks are major NHL ice hockey teams.  The Chivas USA, Los Angeles Galaxy, and San Jose Earthquakes are MLS soccer teams in California.

]]> http://www.zumatimes.com/2009/08/sports-in-california/feed/ 1