Analysis of UFL Markets

UFL

In the fall of 2009, the United Football League plans on opening up in 8-10 markets where the NFL is non-existent and one NFL market where the two NFL teams are playing in a nearby state (New York).  These are the markets where the NFL has never been or that the NFL has been but has never returned.  I have decided to analyze these markets that could be in the United Football League (American Cities only).

1. Los Angeles – The largest TV market in the United States without an NFL team.  Los Angeles was last in the NFL in 1994, the final year of the Rams and Raiders in Los Angeles before the Rams headed to St. Louis and the Raiders headed back to Oakland.  Los Angeles (well, Anaheim to be exact) briefly flirted with the Seattle Seahawks a decade ago.  Los Angeles almost re-entered the league in 1999, but because of conflicting ownership groups with conflicting stadium deals, the Houston Texans were born.  Los Angeles’ best chances at returning to the NFL went out the door in 2007, when Chicago was chosen as the American Representative for bidding in the 2016 Summer Olympics.  Had Los Angeles won the bid, it was likely that the NFL would return to Los Angeles as any Olympic bid requires a new stadium or a renovated stadium.  Los Angeles would be perfect for the UFL.   They could have the team play at The Home Depot Center in suburban Carson to start off and when the demand gets high, move to The Rose Bowl or the LA Coliseum.  However, if a shiny new stadium in the suburbs is built, the NFL will be back in Los Angeles.  There are still several NFL teams (Jags, Vikings, Chargers and Bills) with uncertain futures in their respective cities. 

2. San Antonio – They hosted the New Orleans Saints when they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina.  Unfortunately, San Antonio did some things that made the NFL not too pleased with their actions (like negotiating a deal with the Saints while New Orleans was still recovering).  The problem with San Antonio has to do with the use of the Alamodome in August 2009 (when the league is expected to kickoff).  San Antonio may have to go on the road for the first few weeks of the 2009 season as the Dallas Cowboys will be occupying the Alamodome.  The same thing for 2010 and 2011, basically for however long the Cowboys will be in San Antonio, the San Antonio UFL Team will have to go on the road for the first few weeks.  In terms of pro football in San Antonio, the Cowboys will have first priority.  Despite that, San Antonio could be good for the UFL as it is tired of being the ugly step-sister to Dallas and Houston in terms of pro football in the state of Texas.  Plus, the San Antonio team could do local commercials with members of the NBA Team, the Spurs.  It would do wonders for the UFL in San Antonio.
3. Las Vegas – Sin City is a booming tourist destination about ready to be major league, and it only depends on who gets there first, which will likely be the UFL.  A Las Vegas UFL team can do really well if marketed properly.  Sam Boyd Stadium in Vegas does need another tenant and a UFL team would be perfect.  If a Las Vegas team does well, it will make other pro leagues who have considered Las Vegas (NBA, NHL and Major League Soccer) put the city on top of their expansion/relocation list.
4. Oklahoma City – Like Las Vegas, it’s about ready to be Major League.  By the summer of 2008 Oklahoma City could have its first pro team if the NBA approves of the Sonics request for relocation and if they can get out of their lease.  If not, the UFL will likely be the first pro league to be in Oklahoma City while the City waits for the Sonics (assuming that the Sonics move to Oklahoma City is approved, but they are unable to get out of their lease until it expires after the 2010 season).  With proper marketing, Oklahoma City can be a success in the UFL.  It’s a city that is destined to be a Major League city, but it all depends on who gets there first: the NBA or the UFL.
5. New York City – The only NFL market in the UFL, well, sort of…The two New York NFL teams, the Jets and Giants, play in New Jersey and that leaves New York Proper without a pro football team.  The plan is to play at Hofstra University in year one and then it’s wait and see after that.  Some football fans don’t want to go across the river into New Jersey to watch the Giants or Jets.  A UFL New York franchise must take full advantage of the sports media in New York for it to succeed, otherwise the Jets and Giants will still dominate the football headlines in New York.
6. Austin, Texas – The State Capital of Texas could form a rivalry with San Antonio.  It would be a great success as it would be the only pro team in town.  The UFL in Austin could take full advantage of the major events that take place in Austin (such as the South by Southwest Music Festival or University of Texas Athletic Events) to assure that the team will be a success in the box office.
7. Portland, Oregon – A decent sized market with only one pro team (the Blazers of the NBA).  Portland is one of the larger cities in the country without an NFL team, and with the Seahawks up North in Seattle, the NFL will not come to Portland ever.  Portland has a chance to be a success in pro football.  It’s underserved for Pro Football as far as I am concerned.
8. Memphis, Tennessee – Memphis is very bitter towards the NFL (and with good reason) and the UFL could be a major success in Memphis, although here’s hoping someone other then Michael Heisley (owner of the NBA’s Grizzlies) owns the Memphis team.  What is ironic is that Memphis is the only city from the 1993 NFL Expansion race (among the finalists) not in the NFL.
9. Birmingham, Alabama – Also had flirtations with the NFL and for one reason or another, never got a sniff in the NFL.  Leagues have failed in Birmingham before, but one of these days, a pro football league not named the NFL will succeed in Birmingham.  The UFL could be that league.
10. Louisville, Kentucky – Louisville has no major league team and the UFL could propel it into a major league city.  Pro football has never come to Louisville, so it’s a market that is likely starved for it.

Other markets could include Raleigh/Durham, Milwaukee, Hartford and Sacramento, but these are the top ten markets I feel that the UFL could start off with.

Minh Quan Dang @ April 1, 2008