n a sports league, the ranking of a team is the place where it is within the division.

Generally,
ranking is based on won-lost record of games, with the team with the best record at the top, and the
worst record at the bottom. Another common method is a points-based ranking system, where a
team is awarded a certain number of points per win, fewer points per tie, and none for a loss.
In most sports, with association football generally being an exception, teams with the better records
are awarded the advantage of playing in the postseason and all the glory that accompanies this
privilege.
In leagues that use promotion and relegation, being in or near last place typically results in
relegation to the next-lower league, although in some leagues, teams that finish near but not at the
bottom may enter a promotion/relegation playoff with one or more teams from the next-lower league,
and some other leagues relegate teams based on performance over multiple seasons. In leagues
with franchise systems, such as those in the US and Canada and in Australia, being in last place is
only harmful to the team's reputation and not its place in the league. However, in some franchised
leagues, the last place finisher may receive special compensation, such as being offered the
first draft choice.