It's been over 20 years since the NFL last expanded, and it's about time we got a new expansion team. The NFL is always looking to improve its reach of fans, and an expansion team might be the next step. So here are the 10 teams that deserve an NFL expansion team the most. Your city might be on the list.
St. Louis:
While the NFL already has plenty of teams in the Midwest, St. Louis is the most optimal city for an expansion team. St Louis's market is decently sized and similar to that of Pittsburg or Cincinnati, with a population of roughly 300,000 people. But St. Louis sports fans don't know which football team to root for, as they live right in between Kansas City, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Nashville: All cities with NFL teams. The St. Louis faithful also deserve a football franchise after the Rams moved to LA after a mostly subpar 20-year tenure in St. Louis.
San Diego:
If any recent team relocation hurt fans the most, it's the Chargers moving from San Diego to Los Angeles. And there's no reason the 8th largest city in America shouldn't get an expansion franchise. The San Diego faithful were loyal to the Chargers for over 50 years and would be loyal to whichever expansion team the city received. An NFL team in San Diego would also spark a fun rivalry between them and the city's former team, the Chargers.
Portland:
The Portland Loggers, Portland Thunderbirds, Portland Power, Oregon Blitzers, the mascot being a sasquatch- the list goes on.
Despite being a city of over 600,000 people, Portland only has two professional sports teams. That has to be changed, and it starts with an NFL team. A Portland expansion franchise would create a compelling Pacific Northwest rivalry with the Seahawks. Or perhaps the Rams or Chargers could move to Portland, as both teams have dwindling fanbases in a state with way too many sports teams.
Honolulu:
The idea of an NFL team in Hawaii seems a bit far-fetched, but it could certainly work. The warm weather could help aging veterans prolong their careers and be a major selling point for the NFL. Cold-weather football teams have generally had more success throughout the NFL's history, but a Honolulu franchise could turn that narrative around if they establish a winning culture. And even if they don't, an NFL team in Hawaii would definitely have an identity.
Oklahoma City:
Oklahoma City is in the same predicament as St. Louis, right in between Dallas and Kansas City, not knowing who to root for. So why not give the state of Oklahoma its second major league sports team?
As the United States' 20th largest city, Oklahoma's capital undoubtedly has the market for an NFL team. An NFL franchise in Oklahoma City would immediately draw a sizeable fanbase, as Oklahoma is a football state with passionate fans for their college team. In addition, the Dallas Cowboys would get a rival that actually lives nearby.
El Paso:
While Texas probably doesn't need a 3rd NFL team, El Paso is actually closer to the Cardinals in Phoenix than Dallas or Houston. So whichever expansion team plays in the Sun City can form a rivalry with the Cardinals and Cowboys. With a population of about 677,000, El Paso's market is larger than half of the NFL teams and suitable for an expansion team of its own. An expansion to El Paso could also open the gate for the NFL to expand to Mexico.
Salt Lake City:
Salt Lake City doesn't have the same market size that the other cities on this list do. However, the city has a solid college football fanbase, as well as a sizeable fanbase for their only major league sports team, the Utah Jazz.
The NFL expansion team in Salt Lake City should go by the state's name instead of the city they play in because it broadens the fanbase and rolls off the tongue better. If Salt Lake City could host the 2002 Winter Olympics, the city is suitable for an NFL franchise. So if the NFL wants to expand to the Mountain West, Salt Lake City is their best bet.
Memphis:
Memphis is only 200 miles away from another NFL team, the Tennessee Titans, hence why it's lower on this list. But Memphis is still a viable option for NFL expansion, with a population of about 621,000 and a cost of living 19% lower than the national average, making it fertile grounds to raise funds for a stadium. The Bluff city supported the Memphis Showboats of the USFL in the 80s, so the next might be to give this city an NFL franchise.
Mexico City:
For the past few seasons, the NFL has held games in other countries, indicating an expansion to another country could be on the way. But Mexico City is easily the best option for that, as it's closer than London or Frankfurt, which the league is also considering. And unlike Canada, Mexico doesn't already have its own football league. Four NFL games have already been played in Mexico City, so why not give Mexico's capital an expansion franchise?
San Antonio:
If El Paso doesn't receive an NFL expansion team, San Antonio definitely should. Texas is a football state, so giving the state's largest city an NFL team is guaranteed a fanbase. This San Antonio expansion franchise creating an intense interstate rivalry with the Texans and Cowboys would be must-watch television. The Alamo City has tried many times over the years to get an NFL expansion team, so it's about time their wishes are granted.
Bonus: 2 Cities that should not get an NFL expansion team
These cities are cities that the NFL is considering expanding to and/or the expansion has been supported by fans. But here are why these cities do not deserve an NFL expansion franchise:
London:
The NFL is trying to grow its fanbase in Europe, but an NFL expansion team in London simply isn't feasible. Holding occasional Sunday morning games in London is one thing, but a full-fledged team in England's capital won't work due to the time zone difference, travel time, and cost. If there was massive interest for a London expansion, then maybe the NFL would figure something out, but the interest just isn't there.
Sacramento:
With a small college football fanbase and less than 100 miles from the 49ers, Sacramento doesn't exactly give other potential expansion team cities a run for their money. A Sacramento expansion team would either be a rival of the powerhouse 49ers or a punching bag. Probably the latter.
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