r/UnitedFootballLeague • u/ethanmx2 • Aug 04 '25
Discussion Mike Repole wants the UFL at 16 teams in 2035... what could that look like? (Fanficcy Hypothetical)
So yeah, this is me getting a bit of my fanfic on, letting out some of the creative juices, and thinking about what a possible 16-team developmental league would look like in the not-too-distant future.
Definitely threw a few bones to spring leagues past, as well as a couple of OG's. Not gonna lie, I'd dig a Columbus team named in honor of Rickenbacher.
Lemme know how good or more likely awful my takes/ideas are!
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u/Aullotro San Antonio Brahmas Aug 04 '25
Seattle SeaDragons definitely need to make a return
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
If there’s one thing Seattle doesn’t need, it’s a second S is for Sucks Dragon.
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u/Aullotro San Antonio Brahmas Aug 04 '25
you’re the one who included the Sea Dragons in the list
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u/FoxxyPantz Aug 04 '25
I'll start believing expansion to be possible when they have one season that doesn't involve major changes to the entire league
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u/MLS_K Aug 06 '25
A lot of plans have changed with the UFL. We went from "2 expansion teams in 2026 and 2 additional expansion teams in 2027" to .... whatever is going on now. I'm hopeful/optimistic the league will end up on the other side of things healthier and stronger, but there's a ton of uncertainty along the way. Please, please do not axe the Panthers and Stallions that would be a terrible move. 2 new markets is already plenty right now.
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u/ENKWJD Aug 04 '25
Definitely gotta have the Philadelphia Stars. Such an iconic USFL franchise
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u/Realistic_Maximum471 Aug 04 '25
The problem with soccer stadiums is that not all of them will be open to the UFL.
Providence Park is not a lock for a Portland team because the Portland Timbers may not want football played there on a regular basis.
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u/Lanky_Helicopter_811 Aug 04 '25
Yeah the Timbers kicked Portland State football out over scheduling conflicts, I doubt they'd let the UFL in.
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u/soliddrink Aug 04 '25 edited Aug 04 '25
I mean, I appreciate his excitement, and sure, I'd love 16 teams. There just aren't enough quality QUARTERBACKS to go around. The NFL can barely field 20 quality QB's. Look at the PFF list here, https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-quarterback-rankings-all-32-starters-2025-nfl-season, and tell me who you can reasonably expect to win a SB in the NFL outside of #20? Then you have all the backups, and the backups to the backups (each team usually has 3 QB's). So, you are talking 96 quarterbacks before you even get to the UFL list.
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
got to start paying better ..lol
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u/soliddrink Aug 04 '25
Sure, if UFL paid QB's $100m/year they'd get the Mahomes and Allens of the world. Everyone has a price.
It isn't about the money, though, there just isn't enough quality talent to go around.
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u/Mini-Fridge23 Aug 04 '25
A lot of confidence in MLS agreeing to let their fields be torn up by football. I really wouldn’t bet on that, especially where it’s natural grass
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u/Harmonmj13 St Louis Battlehawks Aug 04 '25
Nah, make Chicago the Blitz. Also not sure how willing the Chicago Fire will be to letting their new stadium be used for the UFL so you’re better off doing it in Evanston at New Ryan Field
Also, Philadelphia Stars over Hartford.
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u/AccomplishedMeal5751 Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
They could always play at SeatGeek Stadium, too
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
I mean, the Blitz was the most hated name from the OG USFL. Also, gotta have some color variety so there’s not more gray on x color.
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u/Takenmyusernamewas Aug 04 '25
I will not watch a team called "The Alphas" Andrew Tate and gen Z doofuses have ruined that word
I'd take a team in San Jose though, that part sounds good
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u/coelurosauravus Pittsburgh Maulers Aug 04 '25
I just did a quick Google of Portland and saw it's a scrap steel city from long ago
I would willingly say if Pittsburgh never got a team, I'd be fine with Portland getting the Maulers name
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u/Takenmyusernamewas Aug 04 '25
That I could watch.
When I think Portland I think Lumber, I'd go with the Portland Lumberjacks
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u/mrholty Aug 04 '25
Too close to the Portland Timbers of MLS. Hell, their mascot used to cut a ring on the sideline after each goal. The ring was presented to the goal scorer after the game.
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
I totally get where you’re coming from regarding that jerko. However, all the more reason to fight to take it back, wouldn’t it? (Even if the research behind the name has been bunked)
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u/Takenmyusernamewas Aug 04 '25
Nah, I'd say let them have it. Not worth interacting with people on that level.
Maybe The Pack instead of The Alphas, you could even keep the same logo
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
The Wolves would also be another possibility. But that’s more to satiate the sick in my butt about singular team names.
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25 edited Aug 04 '25
I have always liked the Chicago Blitz name from the old USFL without the crazy stuff that went on with the team. the logo always reminded me a 3 musketeers bar
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u/spideralex90 DC Defenders Aug 04 '25
Bring back my Bandits 😭 (I would accept Orlando as a 2nd option)
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
I would be down for the Bandits too if it weren’t for the fact that the Renegades kinda have the same getup.
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u/spideralex90 DC Defenders Aug 04 '25
Yeah Apollos makes the most sense of all the Florida teams especially since they had some success before the AFF folded. I just liked the Bandits brand the best of the 3 Florida teams haha
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u/charmingcharles2896 St Louis Battlehawks Aug 04 '25
San Diego Tomcats with a top gun vibe is inspired, as is Chicago Enforcers and Columbus Aces.
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u/shoe1113 Aug 04 '25
16 teams!? Man... and 2035. Something needs to change to think thats a realistic possibility
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u/coelurosauravus Pittsburgh Maulers Aug 04 '25
I'm sure the new business owner came in with an aggressive long term plan that league execs were privy to. Also it's just good business to hype up your product and say "here's what we want to do"
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
if you look back they had plan to sale the teams and be profitable in 5 years etc. I'm not sure if they will hit any of those marks. Mike came in with a fever which is good but he really needs to focus on building the brands (Marketing and ticket sales) in the cities that can and will grow. Look at the costumer and the markets, do not be quick to move a team in potential growth markets. He knows sales so let him do work in that area. I personally think 12 teams and the league should stop. 12 is a great number imo
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u/Zestyclose_Worth_232 "Everyone" Fan Aug 04 '25
interesting! however i wonder if the breakers can try to get the superdome
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
The Shrine is the best outcome for the Breakers return
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
The thought occurred since they did really well back then, but it was also 40 years ago.
Also, you’d have the same issue we’re having now with giant stadiums holding like 10-15k attendance.
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u/Lee-Bear-420 Aug 04 '25 edited Aug 04 '25
I was hoping cbus would bring back the arena bowl attendees, DESTROYERS!
Edit: Destroyers didn’t win an arena bowl :(
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u/Zapfit Aug 04 '25
The Destroyers never won an ArenaBowl though. They lost their only ArenaBowl matchup to San Jose in 07. Future NFL head coach, Matt Nagy, was the Destroyers QB at the time. I attended both NOLA ArenaBowls in 07 and 08.
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u/Lee-Bear-420 Aug 04 '25
Damn, my memory failed me lol thanks. It was a magical run, and my brain rewrote the ending
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u/Zapfit Aug 04 '25
They certainly did have a magical run, especially going into Dallas that season and scoring two touchdowns off kickoffs. The Desperados looked unbeatable that year and Colombus came in and took charge of that playoff matchup.
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Aug 04 '25
[deleted]
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u/SouthernAfrica9 Aug 05 '25
Not sure the MLS teams in those stadiums would be too happy about the grass getting torn up during the season
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u/aDrunkenError Aug 05 '25
He wants more attendance. Detroit had per good attendance, but the stadium was too big, and felt empty, so their solution is to move their games to the last attended stadium in the state?
This should work grrreeeat.
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u/iheartdev247 Aug 04 '25
What if MLS says no?
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25 edited Aug 04 '25
I doubt they will say no BUT the UFL will be placed below USL, MLS men's and women's soccer games in those stadiums. It will cause hell for the schedule. Smaller 15K or less college stadiums have their own set of problems for broadcasters (no or problems setting up skycam, etc). I think things were spoken before others in the group could weigh in and present the issues. Either that happened or the UFL are a bunch of idiots who dont know who is doing what. IDK
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u/iheartdev247 Aug 04 '25
The only place I know won’t care is the old Crew stadium in Columbus.
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
yup and that is why they are playing there. Open schedule.
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u/Late_Professional841 Aug 04 '25
I’d assume they’d look towards city owned stadiums and small college stadiums in that case, also a few cities like detroit are getting USL stadiums that would be the right size
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u/Andrewdeadaim Brahmas for now Aug 05 '25
college stadiums would be way better, offer students tickets for cheap to fill the stands and build fanbases
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u/iheartdev247 Aug 04 '25
Who might also say no.
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u/Late_Professional841 Aug 04 '25
Then they’d go to a city that’s already said yes, they had over 30 cities put in bids for teams
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
I heard the city number somewhere but is there an official source for that count?
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u/WatercressIll Seattle Sea Dragons Aug 04 '25
Mike Repole said 31 cities in one of the articles quoting him that got posted here. Forget whether it was Sports Business Journal, ESPN, FOS, or Sportico that reported it.
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u/emberyleaf Aug 04 '25
I honestly love this tho and many of these moves make a lot of sense. Maybe choose smaller stadiums for many of them like changing Lumen Field to the Memorial Stadium or Tacoma Dome.
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
The Dome might actually be a viable choice as well. It’s hosted football before. But I’m not sure how Tacoma would feel about a Seattle team in their turf.
Definitely a good idea though.
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u/s09gtn Aug 04 '25
Great design. How’d you make these graphics?
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
Combination of both Affinity Photo (for the helmets) and Affinity Publisher (designing the cards)
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u/JMTheBadOne Aug 04 '25
Yes to San Diego at Snapdragon Stadium, not as high on the Panthers playing in Ypsilanti.
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
If what they say about Ford Field being 500k a game is true, ya gotta find a better choice around or near Detroit.
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Aug 04 '25
They need to put a team in Little Rock honestly, there’s an entire stadium in war memorial that could be used
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u/BeenBanned69Times Aug 05 '25
If Hartford CT could get a team i’ll buy season fucking tickets. Got NOTHING going on in this state
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 05 '25
All the more reason to give it a team! You’d get a good mix of the locals, anti-Generals fans from NY, and probably a decent set of other New Englanders.
Will admit, the name Hornets is a stretch but there is a link to it. Albeit a lonnnnnnnng link.
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u/BeenBanned69Times Aug 05 '25
Yeahhhh it’s mostly for the H. They could do better. Some homage to the Whalers or Yard Goats maybe
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 05 '25
The homage for the Hornets actually goes back to Pratt & Whitney’s radial engine days.
Like I said. A stretch of a name. lol
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u/VinnyVincenzo89 Vegas Vipers Aug 05 '25
I would either bring the San Diego Fleet back or call them the San Diego Dreadnoughts.
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u/jtbush91 Birmingham Stallions Aug 05 '25
With some good marketing, and individual team ownership, I could see Memphis making a comeback, not as the Showboats, but as the Maniax from XFL 2001.
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u/Classic_Spring_4974 Aug 05 '25
With Columbus coming to join in. I believe you if they are called aces. I also saw someone would call the team the Aviators
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 05 '25
It would be a great branding for sure. If they do Aviators, they might use the Spring League logo
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u/poopinfinoopin DC Defenders Aug 05 '25
i appreciate his optimism. i can't think of a full 8 team expansion but ones i'd like to see are:
- seattle dragons
- denver gold
- philadelphia stars or pittsburgh maulers
- orlando thunder (only because this was my world league of football team)
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u/TheLoneWander101 Aug 05 '25
Fuck the generals that teams should die bring the guardians back to NYC
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u/NathanEmory Future Ohio Team Fan Aug 05 '25
Minor correction from a Columbusite here.
They'd play at HCS (Historic Crew Stadium) not Crew Stadium. That would be LDC (Lower.com Field) which won't happen since it's during the MLS season.
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u/pancakesfordintonite Seattle Sea Dragons Aug 05 '25
I loved that you used the old Seattle dragons logo. That one was awesome!
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u/LibrarianAgreeable64 Aug 05 '25
Honestly for fan engagement purposes I think each city should be able to vote on a list of names for each team make them feel like part of the process and kickstart fan engagement and Interest
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u/Falcon4451 Aug 05 '25
Chicago Enforcers is the name of the Chicago Police Department's semi pro team
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u/MrDudenheim DC Defenders Aug 05 '25
This is the most agreeable 16 team mock league I've seen. Kudos to you
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 06 '25
Also, just wanna put this out there into the void: HOLY CRAP I did not expect THIS much interaction/views for a dumb little fanfic post!
Thanks y'all! This shit's one of the reasons I dig the UFL far more than the NFL!
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u/danksince98 Aug 06 '25
if u want this league to pop youd take advantage of the gambling aspect of it..there should be player props to bet on..gambling and this league should go hand in hand..u gotta find a way to get america watching..gambling is only hope
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u/BlinkerBoss420 Aug 07 '25
If you guys would like to see a solid take on a 32 team UFL league you should look at “UFLSauce” on Instagram.
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u/sturmde Aug 07 '25
Arlington is uniquely cooler than calling it Dallas. Arlington isn't a suburb, it's a major city, with a large University and a lot of major corporations now.
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u/SeamusXIV Aug 07 '25
I see this league folding before hitting 16 teams. Get an average of 15k fans at your games, then water down the talent pool.
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u/tiberiusgv Aug 04 '25
Would love to see the Panthers come to Grand Rapids.
With 16 teams maybe the NFL would one day use the UFL as a minor league. Something like an AFC and NFC team share a UFL team for their prospects.
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u/ID_Poobaru Aug 04 '25
San Jose doesn’t even know SJSU football is there, are they going to know about a UFL team?
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u/gtavfather Aug 04 '25
Why not LA instead of San Jose? There’s 2 MLS stadiums to choose from. We know they won’t fill SoFi, The Coliseum, or the Rose Bowl.
I like the all the other choices though!
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u/helmand87 Aug 04 '25
mls probably would not want to share the stadium. also LA has 2 nba teams, 2 mls teams, 2 nhl teams and 2 mlb teams all playing during the same time
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
This. LA is so over saturated with entertainment options. It’s also very much a fair weather town. Think Houston but up it by a factor of 10.
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u/Tubamajuba Houston Roughnecks Aug 04 '25
I mean, you can have a shitty team or no advertising, but you can't have both. Had one or the other been different (especially if they kept the XFL Roughnecks instead of rebranding the Gamblers, for example), things would have looked better in Houston.
I think we should be one of the 16, but I'm pretty sure I'm outnumbered.
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u/gtavfather Aug 04 '25
I know we have 2 of everything out here but I think a spring league team would work. I also forgot to mention East LA College. It’s old but I think it would be a great cheap option for a team.
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u/Skareffect Aug 04 '25
Atlanta needs a team.
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
the Falcons?
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u/Skareffect Aug 04 '25
Yet 6 ufl teams play in states with nfl teams.
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
i'd die if we had an NFL team. You guys are so fortunate. UFL is all we got besides college so I love it
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u/Skareffect Aug 04 '25
Show the nfl you want an nfl team by showing up to bham games, if we still got a team next year.
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u/ArockproUser Birmingham Stallions Aug 04 '25
They would never build them a NFL compliant stadium and when we did get a dome stadium on the rolls the votes knocked it down. They did not want the tax increase.
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u/antitaxxer Aug 04 '25
Birmingham
Dallas
Oklahoma
San Antonio
Columbus
Omaha
Michigan
St. Louis
Portland
Sacramento
San Diego
Seattle
Boston
DC
Philly
Tampa/Orlando
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u/ChiefClipperWildcat Aug 04 '25
I am not a fan of cities that already have an nfl team getting teams. I feel like it would be best if cities that are underrepresented, Birmingham, Louisville
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u/ethanmx2 Aug 04 '25
You’re right that teams without NFL franchises should be represented. However, my belief has been that you also need the big markets. They anchor down the league, give it legitimacy, and give those smaller markets a big bad to rival against.
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u/Tanker3278 Memphis Showboats Aug 04 '25
I see you were a fan of the AAF. I loved everything about the AAF - except that they folded. I'd bring back the Army vs Navy theme with the San Diego Fleet.
I also liked the AAF's nod to emergency response with the Hotshots mascot.