Typically, the perfect concepts come from contained in the ESPN workplaces. Final week in Bristol, Connecticut, I used to be speaking to an editor concerning the long-departed Hartford Whalers and the way they initially discovered their place within the NHL. “In case you had been beginning the NHL immediately, you most likely would not put a workforce in Hartford,” the editor mentioned offhand.
That received me excited about an thought I’ve kicked round for a very long time. In England, a rustic roughly the scale of Ohio, there are 92 skilled golf equipment throughout the primary 5 divisions of their soccer pyramid. (A few these groups are Welsh, to be truthful.) This previous season alone, seven of 20 groups within the top-flight Premier League had been in London. Two play in Liverpool, with huge stadiums a 20-minute stroll away from one another. By the underside of the skilled pyramid, stadium capacities drop right down to a few thousand, however you get the concept: There are quite a lot of groups in a really small space.
In America, issues have developed in another way. Whereas minor league baseball has unfold out throughout the nation, these groups aren’t unbiased. There is no promotion and relegation. Groups go away their native followers and transfer to a different metropolis and even one other coast with out repercussions. Franchises have been granted the rights to their cities and push again if anybody strikes into their territory. Leagues expanded and contracted throughout a lot of the twentieth century, however as they’ve turn into multibillion-dollar industries, the 4 main American males’s sports activities have changed into closed outlets, with the NFL as essentially the most outstanding instance. The league hasn’t admitted a brand new member for the reason that Houston Texans in 2002, leaving dozens of football-loving cities out {of professional} soccer.
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We will not repair all of that, however we are able to think about one thing higher. For example a lawsuit opened up the league for enterprise and prevented the NFL from limiting itself to 32 groups. If England can help 92 skilled soccer groups, America can do higher. In a universe by which the league did not retain the best to maintain new members out, what number of skilled groups might the U.S. help? Might it’s 100? And in that case, the place would these groups go?
I’ll discover that universe and discover properties for 100 skilled soccer groups throughout America. I am not going to concentrate on promotion and relegation, how the schedule would work or how the play on the sector would possibly evolve, however I will as a substitute focus strictly on the place these groups would play. Let’s lay out some floor guidelines and the logic I utilized in making an attempt to make this work:
No NFL groups are disappearing as a part of this train. The 32 current franchises are sticking round. As a part of the brand new 100-team league, although, a number of might want to make selections about the place they play versus the place they signify. Groups which have stadiums exterior the realm they purport to signify will both want to maneuver to the place they’re presupposed to be or change their title and let another person transfer in to take their place.
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No workforce holds any territorial rights. If somebody needs to finance knowledgeable workforce in Fort Value, Texas, and compete for the hearts of Dallas-area followers, Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones cannot do something about it.
New cities and franchises had been chosen on a wide range of components. New groups are going to need as many followers as attainable, so my first precedence was discovering locations that had massive inhabitants facilities. I additionally thought of whether or not every metropolis had entry to an current soccer stadium and/or had a historical past of supporting soccer.
Followers aren’t going to vary their allegiances in a single day. On the identical time, whereas there may be some followers in Fort Value who would turn into followers of a brand new franchise, most individuals who’ve spent their life rooting for the Cowboys aren’t all of a sudden about to vary their thoughts. I attempted to be lifelike about how including a workforce to every space would possibly affect fandom, and the way saturated a market is with followers for every workforce. I used to be extra aggressive placing new franchises subsequent to one another versus placing a brand new franchise subsequent to an already-successful workforce.
For example, Milwaukee clearly has greater than sufficient of a inhabitants to help its personal NFL workforce, on condition that town has greater than 560,000 individuals who already root for the NBA’s Bucks. Would it not make sense to place a workforce there as a part of this top-100 group? With the Packers having already put down roots simply over 100 miles away and establishing themselves as Milwaukee’s workforce, it might be extremely troublesome for a Milwaukee-based franchise to determine itself. In New York, alternatively, there are in order that many individuals that the Giants and Jets may not be sufficient.
There’s some crossover occurring between faculty and professional soccer. In actual life, the traces between faculty and professional soccer have been blurred by the affect of NIL cash. Maybe the traces are blurred additional on this 100-team league. I am not suggesting Alabama, Notre Dame and Penn State are going to discipline NFL groups, however placing professional groups of their respective locales would possibly make some sense, particularly as a result of they’ve current stadiums.
I’ve included a variety of faculty cities as potential touchdown spots for groups right here, though I’ve left others out if there is a notable NFL workforce close by. Do they exist as a hybrid workforce with skilled standing and the historical past of the faculty soccer workforce? Are they a smaller franchise that depends upon the present fan base of the college and possibly focuses on signing alumni of that faculty in free company? I will allow you to resolve.
Ultimately, I discovered 68 new groups to affix the present 32 to make 100 skilled soccer franchises. Areas can overlap and have murky definitions, so do not get too hooked up to the place every workforce lands, however I’ve separated the nation right into a handful of sections and can tackle our new additions spot by spot. Let’s start within the soccer hotbed of America: Texas is manner too massive for simply two groups, however what number of extra might we add?
Leap to a area:California | Florida | Mid-AtlanticMid-South | Midwest | New York/New JerseyNoncontiguous states | Northeast | Pac. NorthwestSoutheast | Southwest | Texas | WestSee the 100-team map
Texas (9 whole groups)
NFL groups that exist already: Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
We’ll throw Jerry Jones’ household a bone right here. Whereas they will be prevented from suing to attempt to hold most of Texas for themselves, we can’t put one other workforce in Fort Value or Arlington to attempt to compete with the Cowboys. Likewise, the Texans will retain Houston, America’s fourth-most populous metropolis, totally for itself. As a substitute, we’re putting six new groups round completely different components of the state, lots of that are a number of hours away from any of the others.
San Antonio: Already essentially the most populous metropolis within the nation with out an NFL workforce, San Antonio is 200 miles from Houston and 285 miles from Dallas, leaving a big space of potential followers to attempt to add. The town already rabidly helps its Spurs, and it already used the Alamodome to accommodate groups in varied spring soccer leagues, most not too long ago the Brahmas of the UFL. Amongst cities that have not housed NFL groups up to now, San Antonio is definitely the perfect enlargement candidate.
Austin: The capital metropolis has quickly grown lately with an inflow of tech staff from out of state, leaving the potential for a brand new workforce to win the hearts and minds of Austinites. The town not too long ago landed its first skilled males’s workforce, Austin FC in Main League Soccer, and already has a 100,000-plus seat stadium in place for the College of Texas.
Waco: Between Austin and Dallas on I-35, Waco may be simply far sufficient from both metropolis to justify one other workforce on this football-obsessed state. There’s already a major stadium on web site for Baylor in McLane Stadium. I struggled to select between Waco and School Station as a possible possibility right here; Waco being a bigger metro space helped it make the 100. School Station might be on our record for enlargement once we make this the 150.
Corpus Christi: In making an attempt to unfold groups across the state, figuring out Corpus Christi as a possible franchise for south Texas is smart. San Antonio additionally qualifies as southern Texas, however Corpus Christi is greater than two hours south of its neighbor and has a inhabitants of greater than 300,000 folks in its personal proper. It already helps a minor league workforce for the Astros.
Lubbock: Shifting additional west on this sprawling state, there is a window for a workforce as soon as we get a number of hundred miles exterior of Dallas. Amarillo might need been a viable alternative, however Lubbock is farther away from a few of the different cities we’re including to the 100; it has a inhabitants of greater than 200,000, and there is already an current stadium for Texas Tech.
Odessa: It appears solely becoming to provide Lubbock a neighborhood rival in Odessa, about 140 miles to the south down US-87. Odessa may be extra famously remembered because the city depicted in “Friday Night time Lights,” and its stadium homes each the Odessa and Permian highschool groups. Whereas Odessa could be one of many smallest markets in our high 100 by inhabitants, I am relying on the realm’s ardour for soccer shining by.
El Paso: Our closing addition from Texas, the border metropolis could be nearer to some new rivals in different Southwest states than to its different rivals within the Lone Star state. Because the league courts followers in Mexico by enjoying video games in Mexico Metropolis and having groups go to Monterrey, a worldwide enlargement would possible embrace at the least one workforce in Mexico, if no more. With our purpose to position 100 groups in the US, although, El Paso is as shut as this challenge involves touchdown a workforce in Mexico itself.
Southwest (5)
NFL groups that exist already: Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders
Phoenix was the one metropolis with an NFL workforce on this quickly rising a part of the nation earlier than the Raiders moved to Vegas in 2020. I would argue Vegas would possibly be capable of help a second workforce given how new the Raiders are to city, however there is not any scarcity of potential candidates within the Southwest for skilled soccer groups. You possibly can add Oklahoma in right here when you think about it a part of the Southwest, and its groups would have pure rivalries with Texas, however I am sticking them within the Mid-South space as a substitute.
Reno, Nevada: Greater than 400 miles northwest of Vegas, Reno might need extra of a rivalry with the Northern California groups in our 100 than its in-state opponents. The College of Nevada already has a stadium, and Reno has supported a Triple-A baseball workforce, so there’s sporting infrastructure on the town. The lure of Vegas has helped its varied groups add free brokers, however what about Tahoe?
Albuquerque, New Mexico: A pure rival for the groups in West Texas, Albuquerque is among the bigger metros within the Western United States and not using a skilled sports activities workforce, though the Triple-A Isotopes led the Pacific Coast League in common attendance final yr. Enjoying greater than 5,000 ft above sea stage would give Albuquerque a built-in aggressive benefit, one thing that has helped the Broncos throughout their time within the NFL.
Tucson, Arizona: A neighborhood derby with Phoenix? Tucson is nearer than most of our different new additions round already-existing NFL groups, as you can also make the 113-mile journey between the 2 cities in lower than two hours if site visitors’s proper. With greater than 500,000 folks, although, it has a big sufficient base to help its personal workforce. The indoor workforce is named the Sugar Skulls, which is a reputation that most likely would not fly with the NFL and completely would stick round in our league.
Mid-South (7)
NFL groups that exist already: New Orleans Saints
On one hand, it is a robust space to handle. It is robust to think about anyone in Louisiana not rooting for the Saints, and when you go a lot farther west, you find yourself in Texans nation. Get out of the Bayou and go farther north, although, and there are a handful of cities that might produce rivals for the Saints, together with a race for the rights to I-55:
Memphis, Tennessee: A preferred decide for spring leagues over the previous 25 years, Memphis is much sufficient away from Nashville and has a completely completely different identification as a metropolis. The Titans will definitely have picked up some followers in Tennessee after transferring from Houston in 1997, however when you’ve seen the best way Memphis helps the Grizzlies, you may think about what that will seem like in soccer kind. A complete stadium of followers chanting “Whoop that trick?” A stadium within the shadows of the Bass Professional Retailers pyramid? I am excited. There’s one other new Tennessee workforce on the best way as properly, though it is in a distinct part.
Jackson, Mississippi: Between Memphis and New Orleans, there is a window for Mississippi to get its first main skilled sports activities workforce. There’s sufficient of a soccer curiosity statewide to help a number of SEC groups and Jackson State on Saturdays, so would knowledgeable soccer workforce unite Ole Miss and Mississippi State followers for 3 hours on Sundays? In all probability not, however there’s sufficient of a inhabitants base for a enjoyable three-way rivalry with Memphis and New Orleans.
Shreveport, Louisiana: Whereas I did say I can not think about anybody in Louisiana not rooting for the Saints, the exception amongst main cities there could be within the northwest, the place Shreveport is nearer to Dallas and extra generally related to the Cowboys. In some locations, a rivalry between two widespread NFL groups would possibly enable a brand new workforce to capitalize off of already-existing passions. This might be Texarkana’s workforce.
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Little Rock, Arkansas: Arkansas is one other state getting its first main skilled workforce, because the capital would kind a field of potential native opponents alongside Memphis, Jackson and Shreveport. You possibly can argue Fayetteville is the focus of soccer within the state and will get the state’s new workforce as a substitute, however we’re additionally going so as to add one other workforce about 100 miles to the west that might steal away a few of its help (Tulsa).
Oklahoma Metropolis, Oklahoma: OKC may be on the shortlist for potential NFL enlargement websites in the actual world given town’s inhabitants, affinity for soccer and help for the Thunder as soon as they arrived on the town in 2008. It is a straightforward decide, no matter which division it finally ends up collaborating in.
Tulsa, Oklahoma: Sure, our league can help two new Oklahoma groups simply over 100 miles aside. There is a 30,000-seat stadium on the town for the Golden Hurricane, and the pure rivalry with Oklahoma Metropolis would produce an immediately thrilling matchup for Oklahomans. Tulsa might additionally decide up some followers in Northwest Arkansas and Southern Missouri, though it may be robust to persuade the latter to surrender rooting for the Chiefs till Patrick Mahomes retires.
Midwest (17)
NFL groups that exist already: Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Inexperienced Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings
The Midwest is the cradle of the NFL and has been a hotbed for skilled soccer ever since. Whereas it attracts from Milwaukee and different areas, the success of the Packers into the twenty first century proves a metropolis with a modest inhabitants can help a profitable soccer workforce on the highest stage. The deep roots these groups have instilled of their communities will make it troublesome for brand spanking new franchises to compete, however there are a couple of touchdown spots which may add enjoyable new rivalries to already-historic battles.
Rockford, Illinois: Given the sheer variety of folks within the space, there’s room for a 3rd soccer workforce in Illinois and Wisconsin exterior of Chicago and Inexperienced Bay. I discussed the problems with Milwaukee, and Madison remains to be going to be Packers nation. Rockford may be suburban sufficient to draw some separate fanbase, plus whichever Bears followers have been worn down by practically 40 years of heartbreak and unhealthy quarterback play.
Fort Wayne, Indiana: Going east of Chicago and north of Indianapolis, Fort Wayne is much sufficient faraway from both metropolis to have a case for forming its personal soccer identification. The town supported knowledgeable soccer workforce up to now, though the Fort Wayne Friars pale out of existence after the 1920 season. There are 5 completely different present NFL cities that might doubtlessly think about Fort Wayne a part of their catchment space, which might make it a enjoyable touchdown spot for its personal workforce.
Columbus, Ohio: Add a sixth workforce surrounding Fort Wayne to that record in Columbus, which has been in love with faculty soccer for generations. A Columbus workforce would discover it robust to compete with the already-existing affinity for the Buckeyes, however we have seen the Crew thrive in MLS after efforts to maneuver the franchise had been thwarted. Steelers and Browns followers would possibly stick to their prior affinities, however there ought to be sufficient of a Columbus-specific fanbase to construct matchups with these juggernauts in the event that they find yourself competing collectively.
Louisville, Kentucky: Kentucky is one other state seeing its skilled soccer workforce rely leaping from zero to 2. Northern Kentucky is Bengals nation, however Louisville is 100 miles southwest of Cincinnati and has its personal built-in curiosity in soccer (and a stadium) with the Cardinals. Indoor groups have not fared properly in Louisville, however possibly an outside workforce would resonate extra constantly.
Lexington, Kentucky: Louisville would even have a built-in rivalry with one other faculty city in Kentucky that’s about to land knowledgeable workforce. With two groups about 80 miles away, there’s an opportunity the 2 potential fanbases might cannibalize each other and be too small to help both workforce. With practically one million folks between the 2 cities, although, Kentucky has sufficient folks to help two skilled soccer groups, even when some followers resolve to stay with Joe Burrow & Co.
Wichita, Kansas: With Kansas within the information because it makes an attempt to persuade the Chiefs to go away Kansas Metropolis, a extra lifelike resolution may be to go away the Chiefs in Missouri and get Kansas its personal workforce. Placing a workforce simply over the border as a neighborhood rival to the Chiefs may be enjoyable, however going 200 miles southwest to Wichita would offer a bigger inhabitants base in a comparatively remoted space. The Chiefs would possibly nonetheless be Wichita’s closest rivals, with our new workforce in Tulsa additionally coming into play.
Des Moines, Iowa: If Iowa can help a number of high-level faculty soccer groups, it ought to be capable of help one skilled soccer workforce. This is also a spot for Cedar Rapids, however having this workforce in Des Moines creates a I-35 rivalry with two current groups: the Chiefs and Vikings. If it needs to go together with historical past, the Des Moines franchise might pull out the Warriors nickname, owed to a workforce that performed within the little-remembered Skilled Soccer League of America for 3 years within the Nineteen Sixties.
Omaha, Nebraska: Whereas Lincoln is the historic heart of soccer in Nebraska due to the Cornhuskers, Omaha is a bigger inhabitants and feels extra more likely to help knowledgeable workforce. Omaha is extra generally related to baseball by advantage of its Triple-A workforce and the School World Sequence, but it surely hosted a UFL workforce within the prior model of the league from 2009 to 2012.
St. Louis, Missouri: Duh. St. Louis by no means ought to have misplaced its workforce to start with. On the very least, with the Rams leaving to return to Los Angeles in 2016, St. Louis ought to have been put in place to land an enlargement workforce. With the UFL’s Battlehawks getting greater than 40,000 folks to attend their dwelling opener in April, it is clear St. Louis has each the urge for food and fanbase for professional soccer. This could be an extended overdue righting of a mistaken.
West (8)
NFL groups that exist already: Denver Broncos
With sparsely populated states comparable to Montana and the Dakotas gaining inhabitants after the pandemic, there are a couple of pure touchdown spots for potential cities. Have they got the sheer variety of folks to promote 80,000 tickets to most dwelling video games? In all probability not. In a rustic with 100 skilled soccer groups, might they passionately help groups in smaller stadiums? Completely.
Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah: One apparent alternative, on condition that SLC already has the Jazz and simply added the previous Arizona Coyotes to its roster. With greater than one million folks in its metro space, Salt Lake Metropolis could be the one metropolis we’re including within the West that would not have a lot hassle in any respect filling an NFL-sized stadium with followers.
Boise, Idaho: Would this workforce play on the blue turf? The capital metropolis has come out in droves to help Boise State, and it might be capable of draw on each its personal inhabitants, the remainder of Idaho and doubtlessly Japanese Oregon. Its closest rivals may be in Salt Lake Metropolis, greater than 300 miles away. There are going to be a number of flights between groups within the West.
Laramie, Wyoming: Practically 700 miles to the east, Wyoming’s lone workforce within the 100 might be in Laramie for 2 causes. One is the presence of a stadium, because of the College of Wyoming. I do not imagine there are some other main soccer stadiums throughout Wyoming, which does not have the inhabitants to help many massive services. The opposite profit is that Laramie is 130 miles away from Denver, which units up a pure rivalry with the Broncos. By the requirements of groups on this a part of the nation, a two-hour drive would possibly as properly be strolling distance.
Bozeman, Montana: One other new state for skilled soccer! Whereas Billings is the most important metropolis in Montana by a substantial margin, Bozeman is quickly rising and already has a 20,000-seat soccer stadium for Montana State. With the recognition of the “Yellowstone” TV present rising town, Bozeman would possibly solely be a pair extra spin-offs away from requiring a bigger park for its new workforce.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: South Dakota will get its workforce. One possibility could be to place it in Vermillion with the College of South Dakota, however we’re going 65 miles to the north for a bigger inhabitants and an airport. Our new workforce might want to win the hearts and minds of South Dakotans who’ve in any other case adopted the Vikings, however Minneapolis is greater than 230 miles away. We are able to make this work, particularly given that there is going to be some competitors in North Dakota.
Bismarck, North Dakota: Bismarck is considered one of North Dakota’s two groups within the 100. Who suspected that? Bismarck does not have a major out of doors soccer presence, but it surely has had varied indoor groups all through the years, and the College of Mary is planning to construct a brand new soccer stadium on the town.
Fargo, North Dakota: If North Dakota State can ship two quarterbacks into the highest three picks of the NFL draft, why not lower out the intermediary and simply get a professional workforce in Fargo? The Fargodome holds 19,000, which might be an ideal measurement for a metropolis of simply over 130,000 folks. About three hours between each Bismarck and Minneapolis, Fargo would most likely have a more durable time shedding its purple and yellow jerseys. Bringing Carson Wentz and Trey Lance again to throw passes for the brand new workforce would possibly assist.
Pacific Northwest (3)
NFL workforce that already exists: Seattle Seahawks
Whereas the Seahawks get pleasure from monumental reputation within the Seattle space, there’s sufficient of a inhabitants right here to help a number of groups. Throughout the border, the BC Lions simply introduced an attendance of practically 54,000 followers for his or her CFL dwelling opener earlier this month. Leaving Vancouver apart, I can see room for 2 extra groups to rival the Seahawks:
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Portland, Oregon: Whereas there are definitely folks in Portland who root for the Seahawks by default, that will change rapidly if Oregon’s largest metropolis landed a soccer workforce. Take into consideration the rivalry between the Path Blazers and Sonics within the NBA or, in newer years, between the Sounders and Timbers in MLS. This could immediately turn into one of the entertaining native fistfights within the league.
Spokane, Washington: Once more, by default, the folks of Spokane have little alternative however to be Seahawks followers in the event that they wish to help a “native” NFL workforce. With town practically 300 miles east of Seattle, they may simply as simply have their very own workforce and draw followers from the close by space. This workforce is also in Pullman, the place Washington State has an enormous stadium, about 75 miles south of Spokane. If the state can help a legendary rivalry between two faculty soccer groups, why not a professional rivalry, too?
California (11)
NFL groups that exist already: Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers
With Los Angeles already supporting two groups and the Bay Space internet hosting two of their very own earlier than the Raiders moved to Las Vegas, it is clear the state’s largest inhabitants facilities have little hassle mustering up followers for a number of professional groups. If something, whereas there are two imported groups enjoying in Inglewood, I ponder if a very homegrown workforce would possibly be capable of surpass them each. We’re including a handful of groups to each Northern and Southern California, together with one which should not have misplaced a franchise to start with:
San Diego: Give it the Chargers identification again and let the workforce that moved to Los Angeles discover its personal. San Diego State College’s Snapdragon Stadium now sits on the land that was as soon as the Chargers’ dwelling, and whereas it is about half of the prior venue’s measurement, having a smaller, extra intimate stadium is not the worst factor on the earth. Ask the present Chargers about enjoying in entrance of an enormous stadium full of the opposite workforce’s followers on a weekly foundation.
Anaheim: Whereas Orange County would possibly solely be about 40 miles south of Inglewood and the 2 present Los Angeles groups, anybody who has pushed in Southern California is aware of the ache of making an attempt to get to and from Los Angeles when you’re exterior the realm. With a workforce in Anaheim attracting followers from Irvine and Santa Ana, soccer obsessives would not must make the trek into Los Angeles. The Rams performed at Angel Stadium for 15 years earlier than their transfer to St. Louis; the practically 60-year outdated stadium might be the house of one other workforce if given the chance.
San Bernardino: Sure, the Inland Empire is getting its personal workforce. There is a Single-A stadium for the Inland Empire 66ers in San Bernardino, which provides it the tiniest of nods over the extra densely populated Riverside for the house of our workforce. In the identical metro space, the San Bernardino franchise might name on a base of practically 600,000 followers between itself and Riverside alone. That inhabitants base hasn’t landed way more than minor league baseball in years previous, however this is a chance to sink its enamel into soccer.
Bakersfield: Likewise, Bakersfield is increasing past minor league baseball to land its first main skilled sports activities workforce in our 100. Bakersfield School has a stadium that holds slightly below 20,000 folks on its campus, which might be the suitable measurement for a metropolis that hasn’t essentially proven itself to be a football-loving city. As with different cities in California, although, it is robust to see the inhabitants — greater than 400,000 — and never dream {that a} native workforce would draw crowds.
Fresno: Going additional north, Fresno would give Central California an extended overdue workforce on the highest stage. There’s faculty soccer and minor league baseball right here, however exterior of a pair forays within the Enviornment League, there hasn’t been a major skilled out of doors workforce. Fresno State’s stadium has expanded over time to seat greater than 40,000 folks; if a Fresno workforce performs properly, town ought to be capable of function severe competitors for different groups within the state.
San Jose/San Francisco: It is a difficult one. The 49ers are clearly the toast of San Francisco and have been for many years, however they play their video games in Santa Clara, 40 miles south of the place Candlestick Park as soon as stood. Whereas that is not an unattainable trek for devoted 49ers followers, it is primarily occupying two invaluable metros in a single fell swoop, as Santa Clara is subsequent to San Jose.
On this universe, we’re forcing the 49ers to choose. In the event that they wish to keep in Santa Clara, that is superb! They will turn into the San Jose franchise, and a workforce with the 49ers logos and historical past will sprout up in San Francisco. If the 49ers are keen to maneuver again and really play within the San Francisco space, we’ll construct a brand new franchise for San Jose. I ponder the place they may play.
Sacramento: The state capital is much away sufficient from each San Francisco and San Jose to justify its personal workforce. The existence of the Kings does not infringe on the Warriors within the NBA. The Sacramento Mountain Lions lasted 4 years within the unique UFL earlier than it folded, however they bounced round stadiums in San Francisco and San Jose earlier than taking turns in several spots in Sacramento. The final of these locations was the Sacramento River Cats’ stadium, a constructing which is now destined to host MLB’s Athletics earlier than their transfer to Vegas. A professional soccer workforce could be a extra dignified visitor than the A’s.
Oakland: Talking of the Athletics, we will cease the outflux of groups from the East Bay. The Warriors constructed a constructing throughout the Bay in San Francisco, the Raiders moved to Vegas and the Athletics are ultimately going to comply with them out of city. Allow them to go away. A brand new franchise will not have the historical past or cachet of the Raiders — and a few followers will stick to the Vegas version — however there needs to be one thing in a workforce that really plans on sticking round and laying down roots within the East Bay.
Outdoors the 48 contiguous states (3)
Whereas they don’t seem to be standard locations for skilled sports activities groups, the most important cities exterior the decrease 48 ought to have each the inhabitants and fervour to help soccer franchises. Whereas they might endure some arduous journeys to street video games, these groups would even have vital home-field benefits after they hosted opponents.
Honolulu, Hawaii: However, whereas the assorted New York groups would endure a flight of practically 11 hours to land in Honolulu, no person ever will get mad about ending up in Hawaii. Anybody who stays up too late on Saturday nights has seen how the native space helps the Rainbow Warriors, and there was a gentle stream of Hawaiian highschool expertise out to the mainland, with quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa as notable examples. Might our Hawaiian workforce persuade a majority of these exports to return and play at dwelling?
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San Juan, Puerto Rico: Baseball has all the time been the most well-liked sport in Puerto Rico, however the island supported a semi-pro league up to now. This could be a “in the event that they construct it” situation for a franchise; not many groups will be capable of attain a bigger untapped viewers than San Juan, which has greater than 340,000 residents. Constructing the primary main league workforce in an untested location can result in spectacular outcomes, even when it isn’t an space identified for a selected sport; whereas it is a a lot bigger touchdown spot, ask the Golden Knights whether or not they remorse taking a shot on hockey in Vegas.
Anchorage, Alaska: That is the hardest of the three potential suits exterior the decrease 48. The cultural dwelling of soccer in Alaska may be Fairbanks, which had a minor indoor workforce as not too long ago as 2011, however that is six hours away from the inhabitants base in Anchorage, the place there’s about seven instances as many individuals. It feels proper to have a workforce in Alaska, though Floridian groups will not love flying 10 hours to make it to Anchorage.
Florida (7)
NFL groups that exist already: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Talking of Florida, let’s head all the best way southeast throughout America and add some competitors within the Sunshine State. The Dolphins dominate the state exterior the pockets round Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, however there are many cities that might simply justify having a workforce to name their very own.
Fort Lauderdale: We’ll begin by constructing a derby. In case you’ve ever been in Fort Lauderdale and thought the site visitors was too terrible to drive the 30 miles or so to Miami, this workforce is for you! As adjoining cities with differing identities, a Fort Lauderdale workforce might attempt to carve out a really completely different form of existence from its neighbor in Miami. Fewer crypto sponsorships, possibly. With a lot expertise popping out of the Miami space, there ought to be sufficient in the best way of homecomings to help two groups.
Fort Myers: Throughout Alligator Alley, there’s sufficient of a burgeoning metropolis in Fort Myers to justify its personal workforce. Followers there might theoretically drive throughout the state to Miami or 130 miles north to get to Tampa, however between Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Naples, there are many followers who might help a workforce in Southwestern Florida. With some enlargement work, the brand new franchise might make use of the spring coaching services on the town from September to January.
Orlando: Central Florida’s largest metropolis nonetheless solely has one workforce throughout the 4 conventional males’s sports activities within the Magic, which appears stunning. The since-renamed Citrus Bowl hosted AAF and XFL groups with out a lot success, however native followers have gotten behind UCF soccer of their 45,000-seat stadium. In case you give them a aggressive product, Orlando will get behind a workforce. The ample tourism to the realm may also assist.
Tallahassee: With practically 80,000 folks packing Doak S. Campbell Stadium for Florida State dwelling video games in the course of the fall, there is not any scarcity of soccer historical past in Tallahassee. There’s additionally sufficient of a spot between it and the remainder of Florida’s groups to assist construct up an viewers past FSU college students; Jacksonville, 165 miles away, could be its closest opponent.
You possibly can make a case for Gainesville and even West Palm Seashore, however Tallahassee’s location in Northwest Florida completes the state’s enrollment of seven groups into our 100.
Southeast (10)
NFL groups that exist already: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans
There is no doubting the fervour for soccer within the Southeast, however a lot of that zeal is reserved for the longstanding rivalries of the SEC. On this universe, a few of these cities have been drafted into our 100-team league, each for his or her historical past and for his or her adjacency to close by main inhabitants facilities.
Auburn, Alabama: Take Auburn. The Tigers do not require a lot of an introduction. Jordan-Hare Stadium is a readymade base for our new franchise. About 35 miles away over the border with Georgia, Columbus is the house of one of the profitable indoor soccer groups of the previous 20 years within the Columbus Lions. Including a workforce right here to the border fills within the space between Atlanta, Birmingham and Tallahassee. Given the presence of Fort Moore close by, a army tie-in for this franchise’s branding is smart.
Cellular, Alabama: Let’s additionally add a workforce from the Gulf Coast. Cellular already has a soccer custom because the annual host of the Senior Bowl, the place the host stadium holds simply over 25,000 folks. Cellular could be one other workforce in our Battle for I-10, beginning with San Antonio within the west and making its manner by Houston, New Orleans, Cellular and Tallahassee earlier than ending up greater than 1,000 miles to the east in Jacksonville. Name it the Battle for Buc-ee’s.
Columbia, South Carolina: Whereas Augusta additionally would have been an possibility, we’re bypassing the house of the Masters for considered one of our groups in South Carolina. The Gamecocks have already got a stadium that holds greater than 77,000 folks on campus, so there would not be a lot of a necessity so as to add infrastructure for our new workforce. With two different new groups simply over 100 miles away in several instructions, Columbia might stay the centerpiece of soccer within the Palmetto State or lose a few of its market share to different main cities.
Knoxville, Tennessee: It could appear silly to not embrace the house of the Volunteers as an possibility. Knoxville is a sufficiently big metropolis in its personal proper for a franchise, and Nashville is much sufficient away to keep away from infringing on its fanbase. Would Titans followers who went to Tennessee abandon their professional workforce for the chance to root for a Knoxville franchise? My guess is they might.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama: You most likely noticed this one coming as properly. Most minor and/or spring soccer leagues have tried putting a soccer workforce in Birmingham, which is smart; there’s a big inhabitants base and an enormous ardour for soccer in Alabama. That normally hasn’t led to the anticipated outcomes. Right here, the workforce’s enjoying 55 miles away on the Alabama campus. Possibly the muscle reminiscence will kick in and get extra followers to attend.
Charleston, South Carolina: Shifting again to the Atlantic shoreline, it is smart to place a workforce in both Charleston or Savannah. Charleston’s steadily rising inhabitants made it a logical decide. The Citadel additionally has an 11,500-seat stadium on the town, though I would think about a profitable professional workforce might command bigger crowds. Wilmington appears like a pure rival, however there’s not sufficient sports activities infrastructure within the city; it might be one other enlargement workforce if we had been stretching this out to 125 or 150.
Raleigh, North Carolina: However, Raleigh was one of many first cities on the record for our 100. I am undecided the Panthers could be thrilled by the concept of including a workforce 150 miles or so away to the Northeast, however their emotions do not matter on this train. Raleigh has 1.5 million folks in its metro space and already helps one skilled sports activities workforce within the NHL’s Hurricanes. The Triangle already has a major soccer presence on the Duke and North Carolina campuses, however Carter-Finley Stadium at NC State can comfortably help sufficient followers inside the Raleigh metropolis limits.
Mid-Atlantic (6)
NFL groups that exist already: Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens
Let’s work our manner up the coast and add extra groups within the mid-Atlantic space. Baltimore and Washington might be thought of a part of the Northeast, however a number of of the groups becoming a member of the 100 listed here are going to be native rivals from the inhabitants bases which have sprouted up round DC. The Commanders would have had a stranglehold on these areas in a long time previous, however after the Daniel Snyder period, there’s room for challengers to come up.
Alexandria, Virginia: There are a variety of locations west of the Potomac that will make sense for a possible new franchise, particularly if the Commanders find yourself staying the place they’re or transfer again into DC. Take Woodbridge, which is not precisely a serious metropolis, but it surely’s the place the Commanders had been reportedly shopping for land as a part of a possible plan for a brand new stadium within the Virginia suburbs. Alexandria has a way more vital inhabitants base, is on the DC Metro and not too long ago flirted with getting the Capitals and Wizards to maneuver to a brand new improvement.
Richmond, Virginia: The state capital, alternatively, is much sufficient south to help its personal workforce with out contemplating the shadow of the Ravens or Commanders. There would nonetheless be ties to the Commanders given they had been the one workforce on the town for a very long time, however Richmond already has a modest stadium on the town that might be expanded with the suitable stage of demand.
Norfolk, Virginia: Sure, a 3rd new workforce in Virginia! Ninety miles to the Southeast, Norfolk might name on a wide range of cities within the close by space to assist construct demand, together with Newport Information, Chesapeake and Virginia Seashore. There are greater than 1.1 million folks between these 4 cities. Norfolk will get the nod by advantage of getting the most important soccer stadium within the space, with Outdated Dominion’s S.B. Ballard Stadium holding 21,000-plus folks.
Charleston, West Virginia: We’re additionally including a brand new workforce to the Mountain State. Charleston fills in a big hole with out groups, and due to its isolation, there may not be many different opponents inside a snug driving distance. Its closest rival would most likely be Lexington, 175 miles to the west, though there could be a pure capital metropolis battle between Charleston and Richmond.
Northeast (6)
NFL groups that exist already: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers
We’re leaving New York and New Jersey apart for our closing part. Here is the place two states, sadly, miss out on their very own franchises. Delaware’s small measurement and proximity to Philadelphia make it Eagles nation. The Patriots play in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which is nearer to Windfall (22 miles) than town the workforce nominally represents in Boston (30 miles). It finally ends up occupying each states in our situation, so whereas Rhode Island technically does not have a workforce, it is actually getting the Patriots.
The Patriots are New England’s workforce, which suggests they’d both have to vary their title or occupy a lot of the remainder of the area. Let’s make them the Massachusetts Patriots. Ultimately, I felt like the perfect place for a workforce in Vermont was simply exterior of the state. I will get to that workforce within the New York part, however let’s contact on the groups that can problem Drake Maye & Co. for prominence in New England.
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Portland, Maine: With Durham simply over the New Hampshire border and Portland 45 minutes away from the state line, this might be one thing nearer to a shared workforce between the 2 states. (We’ll get a Manchester workforce within the leap to 125 groups after the primary 100 are so profitable.) The East Coast’s Portland is prospering as a vacationer vacation spot, and with town already supporting a profitable Pink Sox farm workforce within the Sea Canines, there’s some proof Portland will come out for sports activities. Fitzpatrick Stadium goes to help a USL workforce, however with 6,000 seats, it is most likely going to wish to develop if the brand new soccer franchise positive factors prominence.
Durham, New Hampshire: New Hampshire was one of many hardest selections on the record. Do you set the workforce in Manchester, which has the most important inhabitants of any metropolis within the state, however can be simply 50 miles from Boston and certain nonetheless to be Patriots nation even after we broaden to 100 groups? Or do you set it in Durham, which solely has a inhabitants of about 17,000 folks, however a not too long ago renovated stadium on the UNH campus and 20 miles of additional distance from Boston? I went with the stadium within the hopes they may draw on potential followers from the west and even southern components of Maine, though Manchester would possibly find yourself being the higher alternative.
Hartford, Connecticut: After the dialog that spurred this debate, it solely appears truthful for Hartford to additionally land a workforce. Connecticut has been shut out of main skilled sports activities for the reason that Whalers left for Carolina in 1997, however there are a variety of minor league groups and 1.2 million folks within the Hartford metro space alone. Connecticut finally ends up usually changing into a center floor for sports activities followers who decide between the groups from Boston and New York; right here, it might lastly get its personal workforce to undertake as soon as once more.
New York/New Jersey (8)
NFL groups that exist already: Buffalo Payments, New York Giants, New York Jets
We’ll end by fixing one thing ridiculous that has existed for many years. The Payments have understandably carved out Western New York for themselves. The Giants and Jets have spent practically a half-century enjoying in New Jersey, though lots of their followers stay in New York and all the best way additional north in Connecticut. Followers who stay in New Jersey must root for groups in New York, a rival state. Nets followers did not adore it when the workforce moved to Brooklyn. There is no purpose we must always tolerate this any longer.
So, we’re giving the Giants and Jets a alternative. They’ll transfer again to New York or lose their names. On this situation, they’re staying put to remain of their stadium, and we’re sprinkling new groups round New York. Followers can resolve in the event that they wish to hold commuting to North Jersey or help a neighborhood workforce that could be a brief hop away.
Downtown Manhattan, New York: The largest metropolis in America has zero skilled groups enjoying the nation’s hottest sport inside its metropolis limits. That should change. The try and construct a stadium on the west aspect of Manhattan failed for myriad causes and is not viable. This stadium would ultimately be on reclaimed land south of Battery Park, doubtlessly if that land joins up with Governors Island.
Bronx, New York: I imagine New York Metropolis might help a half-dozen high-level groups if there was area for his or her stadiums, however with a not too long ago constructed stadium already in place for the Yankees, the following logical touchdown place for a workforce north of Central Park could be within the Bronx. With easy accessibility and already-existing infrastructure, the most important subject right here could be holding the grass in fine condition.
Brooklyn, New York: With greater than 2.6 million folks in Brooklyn, the borough clearly had the inhabitants to help sports activities groups for many years between the departure of the Dodgers in 1957 and the arrival of the Nets (and briefly the Islanders) in 2012. The Brooklyn Navy Yard could be one potential touchdown spot for a stadium, though choices additional south or west might need higher public transportation hyperlinks and create extra differentiation from the groups in Manhattan. The Cyclones have thrived with a baseball stadium in Coney Island; might a soccer workforce comply with?
Queens/Lengthy Island, New York: Jets followers abound east of Manhattan, however after a long time of distress, are you actually having fun with taking two trains and a shuttle (or leaving 4 hours earlier than the sport in a automobile) to get to a stadium named after your native rivals? I would like to see the Jets be those to maneuver to Queens or Lengthy Island to serve their fanbase appropriately, both by transferring again in with the Mets or constructing a stadium that is accessible through LIRR. If the Jets keep in New Jersey, properly, there are 10 million folks between Lengthy Island and Queens. A number of of them will select to help a workforce that does not play in one other state.
Albany, New York: And at last, in any case that, our one hundredth workforce is competitors for the Payments. The New York state capital is in considerably of a no-man’s land. Buffalo is sort of 300 miles away. Boston is 170 miles to the east. Hartford is nearer, however you are still a major drive to get to a neighborhood workforce if Albany does not have one. Syracuse has extra soccer infrastructure, but it surely’s additionally shut sufficient to Buffalo to stay devoted to the Payments. Albany is 35 miles or so from the Vermont border and will additionally draw followers from Western Massachusetts. A workforce that fills in gaps amongst three completely different states appears like the suitable closing workforce for our 100.
