According to Forbes.com, America's Finest City has the dubious distinction of being America's second-worst city in which to be a sports fan. Miami gets the honor of the worst city.

The magazine looked at team records, ticket prices and median income to determine a sports team's value to its customer/fan.

“Over the past year, Miami's four major sports teams – the Dolphins, Marlins, Heat and Panthers – have combined to win just 40 percent of their games while fans have forked over money for tickets and accouterments at the seventh-highest rate among 29 major sports metros,” Tom Van Riper writes on Forbes.com

“Throw in a $38,632 median household income for the greater Miami area, fifth-lowest of the 29 markets, along with a $292.50 price tag for a family of four to see a game, and the city's pro sports scene ranks as the worst deal in the country by our accounting.

“Lining up behind Miami for the booby prize are San Diego ($300 a game for a family of four; .425 combined winning percentage for the Chargers and Padres), Indianapolis (a lower-income market with middle-of-the-road ticket prices) and New York (second-highest prices in the country for teams that lose just over half their games, the Super Bowl champion Giants not withstanding).”

TRIVIA TIME

What's the best city to be a sports fan in?

PHELPS

Sports Illustrated is commissioning a poster of the cover featuring Michael Phelps wearing all eight of his 2008 Olympic gold medals, a first for the magazine.

The magazine has published posters featuring images from the magazine before, but officials say it has never published a poster featuring an image from the cover for mass distribution.

Phelps says he's honored and he hopes the poster will remind people that anything is possible. The Baltimore-area native won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The poster featuring the image from the Aug. 25 cover will be available beginning Monday through Fine Art Limited.

SETTLE IT ON THE LITTLE LINKS

Instead of dealing with heated issues on the campaign trail, the folks in Myrtle Beach, S.C., suggest Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain meet where it gets really hot – in front of a simulated volcano on a miniature golf course.

The two candidates have been invited to compete for the green jacket at the Masters National ProMiniGolf Championship to be held Oct. 16-19.

This year's event is being held at the Hawaiian Rumble mini golf course with its island theme, complete with volcano.

Brad Dean of the local chamber of commerce says if that theme doesn't suit, there are 50 other mini courses in the area. He's suggesting the candidates come and relax for a weekend to ease thehe tensions of the campaign.

QUOTE, END QUOTE

David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram rhetorically asked: “How many of the schools listed in U.S. News & World Report's top 25 American colleges also were listed among The Associated Press' Top 25 college football teams?

“Answer: None.”

TRIVIA ANSWER

Forbes.com ranks Detroit with only No. 17 in costs for a .612 winning percentage for its four teams, including the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings, as the best city to be a fan in.

– COMPILED BY P.K. DANIEL FROM NEWS SERVICES, ONLINE REPORTS