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The only one I seeing from the list receiving consideration for a franchise with any of the major sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA or NHL) would be Richmond. Of all the others on the list it has the better resident demographics and geographic proximity to not conflict with other established franchises, as well as a non-transient population more likely to fill seats for the home team versus cities like Las Vegas or Virginia Beach which are tourist and military-oriented cities respectively. It also has immediate rivalry opportunity with DC and Charlotte franchises.
The only one I seeing from the list receiving consideration for a franchise with any of the major sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA or NHL) would be Richmond. Of all the others on the list it has the better resident demographics and geographic proximity to not conflict with other established franchises, as well as a non-transient population more likely to fill seats for the home team versus cities like Las Vegas or Virginia Beach which are tourist and military-oriented cities respectively. It also has immediate rivalry opportunity with DC and Charlotte franchises.
I can't see the NHL in Richmond. Football and Basketball is extremely popular in Virginia and get a lot of support in college such as Virginia Tech and VCU. Plus the Richmond Coliseum is aging quite a bit. If Hartford can't get a professional hockey team because of its "aging arena" then I doubt Richmond can attract an NBA team unless a new arena is built. There's still high hopes for the NFL in that area but since Virginia Beach is building a brand new arena, that city will have an advantage over Richmond.
I can't see the NHL in Richmond. Football and Basketball is extremely popular in Virginia and get a lot of support in college such as Virginia Tech and VCU. Plus the Richmond Coliseum is aging quite a bit. If Hartford can't get a professional hockey team because of its "aging arena" then I doubt Richmond can attract an NBA team unless a new arena is built. There's still high hopes for the NFL in that area but since Virginia Beach is building a brand new arena, that city will have an advantage over Richmond.
It takes two years to build a stadium, so if Richmond wanted to it could be done relatively fast. As mentioned Virginia Beach is highly transient and anyone with any sense in the world of major sports would take a pass on an area where few have roots comparatively speaking. The Florida markets have proven it's not the best formula for success and would think the leagues would avoid similar situations going forward. If any expansion were to happen in Richmond I think it would be either MLB or the NBA. Virginia Beach's new arena could work for the NBA Developmental League or Arena Football perhaps.
The only league I can see VA supporting is the NBA. The NFL would be hard with the Redskins up the road. Not to mention, the panthers aren't far away even though I know there isn't a huge Panther fanbase there. They have no large markets to support MLB. So I can definitely see the NBA. The Wizards don't have that much of a presence in Virginia as much the Redskins does. It comes down to Richmond or Virginia Beach areas though.
Does Boise have enough population base to support any sports team? If they get a pro football team, as long as the field isn't blue. That is one ugly field on tv.
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