NFL Relocation Possibilities: Jacksonville, New Orleans Most Likely to Relocate

NFL Relocation and Expansion (As of Summer 2008)

It is very unlikely we will see any NFL expansions in the near future because the current 32-team set seems to work perfectly right now.

The only way the NFL could add expansion teams is to add four new teams to either conference, make a new fifth division or reorganize all of them, and then with the new fifth division winner either remove a wild-card or add a third wild-card and remove the first-round bye system.

It is not probable this will happen because the NFL usually does not add more than two expansion teams at a time. However, there are some other populated North American cities asking the NFL for a team that could receive a franchise by way of a current NFL team relocating.

The teams below (listed in order of instability) are all subject to relocation because their strained fan support, low cash reserves, bad ownership, or another unspecified reason is keeping them from having sufficient cash or talent levels.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

A 1995 expansion team, the Jaguars have frequent TV blackouts and never sell out their games, which has led them to the top of the relocation list.

2. New Orleans Saints

After Katrina, this team immediately started the process to relocate to San Antonio or to another Texas city. In recent seasons their success and increased fan support has partially removed them from the relocation discussion, but they are still in the running to move to another city, such as San Antonio.

3. Buffalo Bills

A very outdated stadium, a dropping Western New York economy, and extremely bad ownership by Ralph Wilson has put this team deeply into the relocation talk.

4. Oakland Raiders

No real actual cash or support difficulty here, though they haven't been good since their Super Bowl year in 2002. It is really all just because of owner Al Davis (the idiot!).

5. Minnesota Vikings

This old dome is severely crumbling, and certainly not a facility for an NFL team. Also, bad ownership by Zygi Wilf has lowered this team's spare change considerably.

6. San Diego Chargers

They have nationwide fan support and plenty of success, but their horrid stadium deal has slightly destabilized their position.

7. Atlanta Falcons

It is not likely that the Falcons will relocate, but they do lack needed revenue from the Georgia Dome.

8. San Francisco

If they do move, which is a major long shot, they will probably stay on the West Coast, in a city such as Portland or San Jose.

Along with these teams, there are three other teams who, several years ago, were in also in danger of relocating. Recent deals have, however, pulled them off the relocation list:

      Indianapolis Colts (new stadium)

      Arizona Cardinals (new stadium as well)

      New York Jets (several deals)

Now that we've covered the current NFL teams in danger of relocation, here are the locations they're most likely to go.

1. Las Angeles, CA 

Certainly the most likely place for a team. The only real problem is where they'd put the stadium. They could play in the Rose Bowl, but I don't think that would be preferable.

2. Las Vegas, NV

It is the fastest growing city in the country and is sure to get excessive fan support if it receives a relocating NFL team. The only problem is there is no place for a new stadium and there is no current suitable NFL stadium, either.

3. San Antonio, TX

Has a new, great stadium in the Alamo Dome, hosted the Saints after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and already has a successful NBA team. Personally, I think it's a premier place to put a relocating team.

4. Toronto, ON (Canada)

This city is a good relocation place for the Bills if they were to move. Toronto has a new stadium in the SkyDome, though they would have to share it with baseball, and it is a major city.

However, this would be the first non-U.S. NFL team, so the league would have no comparison to see how well a Canadian team would work. But Toronto is a large market that already has an MLB, NBA, and NHL team.

5. San Jose, CA

A likely location for either the 'Niners or Raiders to relocate to, and they also currently have a successful NHL team in the Sharks.

6. Portland, OR

Always mentioned in relocation discussions, but a fairly small market and also in danger of losing their only other professional sports team—the Blazers of the NBA.

7. Chicago, IL

There is chatter about moving a second team here, probably to the south side, but nothing has ever been done about this possibility.

There are also some smaller cities that are still considered yet not realistically ever going to get an NFL team:

Vancouver, BC (Canada)

Honolulu, HA

Mexico City, Mexico

Memphis, TN

Edmonton, AL (Canada)

Raleigh, NC

All thanks provided to Dr. Horacio Nicaragua.

If you have any questions or opinions, feel free to comment openly on this article!