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Tell me some cities then. I'm open to whatever you throw at me.
Birmingham, AL
Tucson, AZ
Sacramento, CA
Fresno, CA
Bakersfield, CA
Riverside/San Bernardino, CA (third Los Angeles area team)
Hartford, CT
Orlando, FL
Jacksonville, FL
Honolulu, HI
Chicago, IL (third Chicago area team)
Indianapolis, IN
Louisville, KY
New Orleans or Baton Rouge, LA
Boston, MA (second Boston area team)
Omaha/Council Bluffs, NE-IA
Las Vegas, NV
northern New Jersey (third New York area team)
Long Island, NY (fourth New York area team)
Buffalo, NY
Rochester, NY
Raleigh/Durham, NC
Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC
Columbus, OH
Oklahoma City, OK
Portland, OR
Philadelphia, PA (second Philadelphia area team)
Providence, RI
Memphis, TN
Nashville, TN
San Antonio, TX
Austin, TX
El Paso, TX
Salt Lake City, UT
Norfolk (Hampton Roads), VA
Richmond, VA
San Juan, PR
Vancouver, BC
Ottawa, ON
Montreal, QE
Mexico City, Mexico
Monterrey, Mexico
There are a number of other places I didn't list that I think would as good or even slightly better than Wichita, but I wanted to focus on the places that would be clearly better (though there may be a couple places listed above, like Bakersfield, that are only somewhat better). I don't think many (actually most) of the above cities really could support a MLB team (or in some cases another MLB team), but all of these cities would be better candidates for a team than Wichita. MLB is the toughest sport for a city to support due to the large number of home games and even with many of the larger cities listed above that don't already have MLB teams it would be difficult for them to support an MLB team due to the presence of other major league teams in the same city.
(I purposely did not including Charlotte or Albuquerque on the above list because they were already mentioned. Charlotte would definitely be a better candidate than Wichita and Albuquerque probably would be too.)
If I left any out, please tell me. Or if you disagree with one of the cities posted below, please tell me.
MLB
1. Wichita, KS- Even though Wichita has a metro area of just 600K, baseball is probably the 2nd most popular sport in Kansas, after basketball of course. WSU's Shockers had success in baseball, and are avidly followed throughout the state. The team would draw support from all over Kansas (except in the KC area- that would still be Royals turf!).
2. Charlotte, NC- As from what I'ver heard, Charlotte really wants an MLB team. It would draw crowds from both of the Carolinas.
3. Albuquerque, NM- Also have no idea why I picked this city, just seems like a good fit IMO.
No offense but Wichita probably needs to go way down this list. I'd suggest many of the cities currently home to AAA teams (the highest level minor league) would be ahead of Wichita.
A few I would put ahead of Wichita would be Charlotte, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, Columbus OH, etc.
No offense but Wichita probably needs to go way down this list. I'd suggest many of the cities currently home to AAA teams (the highest level minor league) would be ahead of Wichita.
A few I would put ahead of Wichita would be Charlotte, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, Columbus OH, etc.
Yeah, that is true. It's just that I want to see a Major League team in Kansas.
One place in each of the five major sports that could support another major league team. NOTE that these places already have a franchise in one of the five major sporting leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS - even though some of you don't consider hockey or soccer a major sport). Below that, I will post five cities that do NOT already have a franchise that could support one, and the sport I think they will support the best. Here goes:
MLB: Charlotte - This one is too obvious. Already flowing with basketball and football, and there really aren't any major league baseball teams for them to steal fans from. Only drawback is the metro is smaller than most, but it's growing fast. Other places: Nashville, Memphis, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City
NFL: Los Angeles - If for no other reason, because there aren't other cities that fit the criteria listed above. LA has the people in its metro, and it always talks about building a stadium to lure a team such as Jacksonville, Buffalo, or San Diego. But it never happens, thanks to a city that can't make up its mind and a fan base that is fickle when it comes to the subject. I think if the NFL were to expand again, they would go somewhere that doesn't have a sports franchise. Others: Toronto, Salt Lake City, San Antonio (only because the facility is already present)
NBA: Seattle - This is the most obvious of all the sports. The fans loved the Sonics when they played here, and I don't think the city was against building a new arena for them. The problem the Sonics had was ownership had every intention of ripping the hearts out of Seattle fans for the "greener" (okay, probably redder) pastures of Oklahoma City. And David Stern bought into Clay Bennett's vicious motives. Seattle can support an NBA franchise, and Stern knows it. Others: Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati
NHL: Kansas City - They have the world-class facility already. They have a city that build said facility with the NHL in mind. And they have the scars of watching the team that was formerly in Kansas City move to New Jersey and win three Stanley Cups (via Denver, which now has two of their own with another franchise). I don't foresee the NHL expanding any time soon, but this is probably the place they would go. Others: Houston, Salt Lake City, Cleveland
MLS: San Diego - While there are other metros who could pay more money to get a MLS team, San Diego makes more sense due to the Hispanic presence there. Mexicans are extremely passionate about soccer, so a franchise in San Diego could succeed immediately. Others: Atlanta, San Antonio, St Louis, Phoenix
Now, the five cities that could be next for a major sports franchise, and the sport I think would expand there:
1. Las Vegas - NFL: I mentioned above that I think the NFL would go somewhere new if they expanded again, and this is where I think they would go. There is money, there are fans, and there is a fan base that needs to be tapped into. This is too obvious.
2. El Paso - MLS: Again, Mexicans love their soccer, and there are lots of them in El Paso. This is a rapidly growing city, thanks to the border presence and the army base.
3. Des Moines - MLB: This is a stretch, but there are a high number of white-collar people moving to Des Moines. In addition, there are no major league teams in Iowa. It may not be in the next ten years, but I don't see MLB expanding in that time frame.
4. Albuquerque - MLB: Warm weather breeds baseball, and Albuquerque has that. There really are not any teams to compete against, and they would have natural rivals in Arizona and Colorado.
5. Winnipeg - NHL: They've been there before, but I don't see much reason for fans in Canada not to support a hockey team. The big thing there would be a brand new arena, and I don't think that would be too much to ask of a Canadian city. Then again, we've been there before ...
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,053,483 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vb_guy
One place in each of the five major sports that could support another major league team. NOTE that these places already have a franchise in one of the five major sporting leagues (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS - even though some of you don't consider hockey or soccer a major sport). Below that, I will post five cities that do NOT already have a franchise that could support one, and the sport I think they will support the best. Here goes:
MLB: Charlotte - This one is too obvious. Already flowing with basketball and football, and there really aren't any major league baseball teams for them to steal fans from. Only drawback is the metro is smaller than most, but it's growing fast. Other places: Nashville, Memphis, Indianapolis, Salt Lake City
NFL: Los Angeles - If for no other reason, because there aren't other cities that fit the criteria listed above. LA has the people in its metro, and it always talks about building a stadium to lure a team such as Jacksonville, Buffalo, or San Diego. But it never happens, thanks to a city that can't make up its mind and a fan base that is fickle when it comes to the subject. I think if the NFL were to expand again, they would go somewhere that doesn't have a sports franchise. Others: Toronto, Salt Lake City, San Antonio (only because the facility is already present)
I think they'll give it to LA man, because every time they do expand on NFL teams, LA is always their top priority. The reason Houston got it last time was because they were willing enough to build a stadium, and LA wasn't.
NBA: Seattle - This is the most obvious of all the sports. The fans loved the Sonics when they played here, and I don't think the city was against building a new arena for them. The problem the Sonics had was ownership had every intention of ripping the hearts out of Seattle fans for the "greener" (okay, probably redder) pastures of Oklahoma City. And David Stern bought into Clay Bennett's vicious motives. Seattle can support an NBA franchise, and Stern knows it. Others: Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Cincinnati
I see St. Louis doing one heck of a great job for NBA, they have the fans, and they have the arena, and if the question comes up for a new one, they'll have a new one as well ready to go.
NHL: Kansas City - They have the world-class facility already. They have a city that build said facility with the NHL in mind. And they have the scars of watching the team that was formerly in Kansas City move to New Jersey and win three Stanley Cups (via Denver, which now has two of their own with another franchise). I don't foresee the NHL expanding any time soon, but this is probably the place they would go. Others: Houston, Salt Lake City, Cleveland
The city of Houston is actually trying really hard to get a team going. The best chance they have here is the Phoenix Coyotes, who have gone into bankruptcy. NHL doesn't see a expansion coming anytime soon, but relocation is what Houston, KC, and Vegas are going for. However, if there was an expansion set, KC would get it first, then Houston, with possibly Vegas competing with Houston.
MLS: San Diego - While there are other metros who could pay more money to get a MLS team, San Diego makes more sense due to the Hispanic presence there. Mexicans are extremely passionate about soccer, so a franchise in San Diego could succeed immediately. Others: Atlanta, San Antonio, St Louis, Phoenix
I think all the cities you listed here, are perfect for an MLS, great job!
Now, the five cities that could be next for a major sports franchise, and the sport I think would expand there: 1. Las Vegas - NFL: I mentioned above that I think the NFL would go somewhere new if they expanded again, and this is where I think they would go. There is money, there are fans, and there is a fan base that needs to be tapped into. This is too obvious.
The only problem is the NFL's regulations of having anything to do with gambling. As you know gambling is illegal in the NFL, and a person who owns casino's can't own an NFL team, the same goes for a city. But if a person in Vegas who doesn't have a casino still can't own one, because of the presence of gambling around the city. That's why the NFL never put a team in Vegas, otherwise they would've done so long ago, in the early 2000's or late 1990's.
2. El Paso - MLS: Again, Mexicans love their soccer, and there are lots of them in El Paso. This is a rapidly growing city, thanks to the border presence and the army base.
Couldn't agree more man!
3. Des Moines - MLB: This is a stretch, but there are a high number of white-collar people moving to Des Moines. In addition, there are no major league teams in Iowa. It may not be in the next ten years, but I don't see MLB expanding in that time frame.
4. Albuquerque - MLB: Warm weather breeds baseball, and Albuquerque has that. There really are not any teams to compete against, and they would have natural rivals in Arizona and Colorado.
I think ABQ would also be a great contender for a NBA and NFL team. NFL being a smaller contender. The weather is warm, and the city is vibrant, which could attract these franchises there, and the state of NM still doesn't have a professional team of any kind. They can't deny ABQ for too long, especially because the sunbelt is on the rise.
I also think that Tucson, Arizona is a very good contender for an NFL/NBA team. NFL because three NFL teams practice in Tucson during the summer, due to it's warm climate and strong fan base. NBA, because if Oklahoma City can get a team, then Tucson can as well, Tucson is just as big as OKC if not bigger, and could use a professional franchise soon.
5. Winnipeg - NHL: They've been there before, but I don't see much reason for fans in Canada not to support a hockey team. The big thing there would be a brand new arena, and I don't think that would be too much to ask of a Canadian city. Then again, we've been there before ...
You have a pretty good list! You've definitely hit it on the spot with many of these places.
Charlottes residents are not as supportive for an MLB team as you would think.
Correct. We'd be probably the smallest market in the league, and with most baseball fans in this town coming from Chicago, NY, Boston, etc. I can see the opposing teams fans outdrawing the home team fans.
You have a pretty good list! You've definitely hit it on the spot with many of these places.
The reason I didn't include Tucson was twofold. First, it is closer to Phoenix than I think any league would like. If any of the sports would go there, it would be soccer. Second, the team would have to compete with the University of Arizona. While college sports and pro sports are not the same, the competition between the two is fierce. This is one of the reasons you won't see the NFL expand to San Antonio (proximety to Austin/UT) or the NBA to Kansas City (proximety to Lawrence/KU) or Raleigh/Durham. I think it's also part of the reason LA hasn't received an NFL franchise, thanks to the recent success of USC (although I see that mindset changing now that media darling Pete Carroll is out and media goon Lane Kiffin is in as coach).
This list is useless. Cities dont get teams because they deserve them. In fact, cities dont get teams at all. Ownership groups get teams and have them play in particular cities. It has nothing to do with anyone deserving anything. It has to do with money and the owners. I follow expansion bids and ownership groups trying to get teams and most of the cities on this list have never even gotten a sniff from a potential owner.
In regards to the NBA in KC, KC is a basketball town. However, it is a college basketball town. We dont want the trash known as the NBA in our city. An NHL team would be a much better fit and we have an owner trying to get an NHL team here. I do not know a single person that follows the NBA here. We all follow college.
On top of that all the major leagues we have are already at capacity or even over capacity. The MLS is the only league that has room for expansion and they will likely cut off at 24, maybe less. Right now, the league has 18 teams and Montreal is said to be announced as the 19th soon. That leaves 5 spots left.
There are ownership groups in the following cities as of right now: St. Louis, Miami, Atlanta, Ottawa, Phoenix, and a 2nd NY franchise.
Portland and Vancouver come next season, Montreal and possibly a 20th team in 2012 and then probably 2 more rounds of expansion adding 2 teams a few years after that.
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