[sedriskell]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

If Alabama ever got an NFL team, they would undoubtedly be based in Birmingham, and they would have to renovate Legion Field or maybe even demolish it and build a new stadium. I doubt Alabama gets an NFL team anytime soon though, because they would not be able to compete with Alabama and Auburn. No NFL team wants to play second fiddle to the college teams. Who knows though, maybe it would catch on. (Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints) both fairly successful in big-time college football states.

Well, there are currently plans to build that domed stadium in Birmingham. So we really already have the stadium covered... Unfortunately, there's always a chance that the stadium won't be built. The way I look at it, if the domed stadium isn't built, I'm thinking they'll instead use that money to overhaul Legion Field.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

If Alabama ever got an NFL team, they would undoubtedly be based in Birmingham, and they would have to renovate Legion Field or maybe even demolish it and build a new stadium. I doubt Alabama gets an NFL team anytime soon though, because they would not be able to compete with Alabama and Auburn. No NFL team wants to play second fiddle to the college teams. Who knows though, maybe it would catch on. (Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints) both fairly successful in big-time college football states.

I'm not sure if it's 100% true or not but I've heard that with the placement of the Oilers in Nashville in 1997, The NFL said that Birmingham and Louisville would likley never get teams due to the fact that Nashville feeds off of fans in Alabama and Kentucky in it's fanbase not to mention the proximity of the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints to Birmingham.

I think a team would be successful in Birmingham but I also know that if the Titans had been placed in Memphis or Knoxville they would have failed. Nashville was a perfect mix insofar as the state goes. Vandy really has no fans and UT is almost 4 hours away.

The thing for Birmingham would be to build a stadium and I believe if they built a new stadium they would lure someone away. Most likley the Jacksonville Jaguars.

As for Corporate Support, How about Regions ? HealthSouth ? or Vulcan Materials ? It could be done but I think it all depends on how badly Birmingham wants it. In 1995 I would have laughed about the NFL being in Nashville but they agreed to build a new stadium and Bud Adams jumped.

[Huntsville_secede]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

I don't think that's true about NBA teams requiring a larger market than NFL teams. For one, look at Sacramento Kings, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and Portland Trailblazers. They've all done well in small markets. Secondly, NFL stadiums are on average 3-4 times larger than NBA stadiums, so it's more difficult to fill them up (though there are fewer games, so maybe it evens out).

All of those cities that you mention with the exception of Salt Lake (Utah Jazz) have 2 million + people in their metro area. Football is a more popular sport especially in the South so I still say it takes larger markets for NBA. Salt Lake is a smallest market with about 1 million people about Bhams size but historically they've had a pretty good team.

[skyegirl]

Gee an NFL team in Birmingham, or Los Angeles. hmmmm Let's see. My guess is that they will go with LA. Keep suporting the BCS Alabama.

[7spider]

Well I don't think having a pro team would take away from the college or high school support. People in this state are just great football fans whoever they root for. I agree it would be a tough sell to the NFL, but that's because of all the politics and BS that's involved in the decisions. I have no dought there would be solid fan support for an Alabama team and they'd probaly be some of the best fans in the NFL, maybe someday.

[Oildog]

You need a continual winner to support football at todays prices. Mnay markets have a tough time if they are a loser year in and out. Besides its not like you get to recruit local talent for the team. A few years of 4-12 will leave 20000 seats per game unused.

[TNRyan23]

Originally Posted by skyegirl

Gee an NFL team in Birmingham, or Los Angeles. hmmmm Let's see. My guess is that they will go with LA. Keep suporting the BCS Alabama.

Since the NFL left Los Angeles in 1995...

The NFL expanded to Jacksonville, Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland, and Houston.

The NFL allowed franchises to relocate to Baltimore ( Browns in 1996 ) and Nashville ( Oilers in 1997 )

Saints almost relocated to San Antonio permenantly after Katrina.

I don't see Los Angeles as being a definite relocation or expansion city.

[Oildog]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Since the NFL left Los Angeles in 1995...

The NFL expanded to Jacksonville, Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland, and Houston.

The NFL allowed franchises to relocate to Baltimore ( Browns in 1996 ) and Nashville ( Oilers in 1997 )

Saints almost relocated to San Antonio permenantly after Katrina.

I don't see Los Angeles as being a definite relocation or expansion city.

Los Angeles IS building a stadium, so I expect the NFL to be there soon. Jax or New orleans would be the teams I'd expect to move.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

As for Corporate Support, How about Regions ? HealthSouth ? or Vulcan Materials ? It could be done but I think it all depends on how badly Birmingham wants it. In 1995 I would have laughed about the NFL being in Nashville but they agreed to build a new stadium and Bud Adams jumped.

Regions? Checked any bank stocks lately?
HealthSouth? Ever heard of Richard Scrushy? That company melted down a few years ago.
Vulcan Materials? It's not THAT big a company.
Compass Bank was bought out by a Spanish banking company...First American Banks were bought out by a Canadian company...another banking company (can't think of the name now) was bought out and company HQ moved to Charlotte...Rust Engineering, well we know how construction is going these days...

[7spider]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Regions? Checked any bank stocks lately?
HealthSouth? Ever heard of Richard Scrushy? That company melted down a few years ago.
Vulcan Materials? It's not THAT big a company.
Compass Bank was bought out by a Spanish banking company...First American Banks were bought out by a Canadian company...another banking company (can't think of the name now) was bought out and company HQ moved to Charlotte...Rust Engineering, well we know how construction is going these days...

So true, the one I get a kick out of is the new Citi Field in NY. What are they going to do with all these luxury boxes that all these new stadiums have been focusing on lately? seat license fees? It's out of control and in my opinion it's going to do one big flop.