As we know by now, San Francisco and New York (both NFL markets) are in the UFL but with good reasons. New York is obvious for the purposes of a TV deal. Also, the Jets and Giants play in New Jersey and New York UFL is for New York Proper only (Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island). NY UFL could play at Citi Field (which seems likely), Hofstra, Columbia or even Yankee Stadium (unlikely, but Army will be playing Notre Dame in football there next year and Army will be playing one game there each year from 2011-2013).

With San Francisco, it also makes sense why the UFL would go there. The 49ers are planning a move to Santa Clara soon, and even if they keep the name San Francisco 49ers (which is likely, although things could change), they’ll be closer to San Jose then San Francisco. San Francisco also supported the XFL Demons in 2001. They will be playing at AT&T Park in San Francisco, home of the Baseball Giants.

Then comes the recent article by Nation Hahn that Detroit and Chicago have investors interested in expansion teams for year two and beyond. I am not opposed to Chicago in the UFL, as long as it’s not within 5 to 10 miles of Soldier Field. Wrigley Field on the North Side of Chicago, Northwestern in suburban Evanston and Toyota Park in suburban Bridgeview would be suitable options, although Wrigley Field recently underwent renovations, so it remains to be seen if they can still hold a football field. Detroit is interesting. The Lions do suck, but they will get better (if they go 3-13, Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz will probably get a two year contract extension). With the Silverdome still standing in Pontiac, Michigan, a UFL Detroit team would be interesting, especially if Lions great Barry Sanders is a part of the UFL Detroit team. University of Michigan is within 30 minutes of Motown, but their stadium is too big for the UFL. UFL Detroit could promote themselves as “Better Football than the Lions.” That would be interesting.

That has led me to this article. I will divide the NFL cities to several categories: “The UFL would fail here”, “Maybe the UFL would do well here”, “The Watch List” and “The UFL would definitely work here”.

The UFL Would Definitely Work Here:

- San Francisco

- New York

- Chicago

Already stated above why the UFL would work in these cities, so no need to get into any detail here.

The UFL Would Fail Here:

Dallas- If it’s pro football not related to Cowboys, then it will fail. I don’t understand why the UNGL and USFL want to be in Dallas when nobody there will care unless there’s Cowboys involvement. The Arena League’s Desperadoes worked only because of Cowboys involvement. Also, none of the other rival leagues have ever had a pro team in Dallas. The USFL, WFL and XFL never considered Dallas because they all know it wouldn’t work. The USFL had teams in San Antonio and Houston. The WFL had a team in Houston. The old American Football League did have the Dallas Texans, but within 3 years they moved to Kansas City and became the Chiefs. Sure, there are plenty of venues in the area (SMU, TCU, North Texas, Frisco, The Cotton Bowl), but it would be a massive failure of epic proportions.

Pittsburgh- Wouldn’t work there either. Only one venue to speak of (Heinz Field and that’s Steelers territory). I know that Pittsburgh had the Maulers of the USFL, but they only lasted one season and folded when the USFL decided to move to a fall schedule because they did not want to compete with the Steelers. If the UFL had been a spring league and/or did not eventually want to compete with the NFL down the line, Pittsburgh might have worked.

Denver- Like Pittsburgh, they had the Denver Gold of the USFL, but they too folded when the USFL decided to go to a fall schedule because they did not want to compete with the Broncos and many Denver Gold fans refused to drop their allegiances to the Broncos. Also, there will probably be a UFL team in Utah (and maybe Nebraska) nearby. They do have an extra venue (Dicks Sporting Goods Stadium) in suburban Commerce, Colorado, but that would not be a good idea. If the UFL was a spring league, a Denver franchise might have worked.

Atlanta- The Falcons recently became good again. The UFL will likely land Michael Vick, but the Falcons will still have their faithful, diehard fans who have fallen in love with the New Falcons of Head Coach Mike Smith, Quarterback Matt Ryan and Running Back Michael Turner and they won’t turn their backs just to root for Vick (some might, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they would root for that UFL team, just Vick). There is only room for one pro football team in Atlanta in the fall. The Georgia Force of the Arena League did well because they had a connection to the Falcons and they played in the Spring.

Cleveland- Yes, they have sucked in the decade since they have returned to the NFL, but would you want to compete with the Browns? I don’t think so.

Arizona- Phoenix wouldn’t work. That market is oversaturated. As for Tucson, which is two hours away? I don’t know if Tucson UFL would work. They may have to be called Arizona, and that’s not going to work either.

Green Bay- Well, duh. This wouldn’t work. Milwaukee could work, but only if the Brewers say yes.

Indy- Compete with the Colts? Nope.

Kansas City- Compete with the Chiefs? I don’t know about that.

Miami- Compete with the Fins? I don’t know about that either.

Tampa- Why put a UFL team in Tampa with Orlando 90 minutes away?

Seattle- Why put Seattle in the UFL when Portland is nearby?

Maybe They Would Work in the UFL:

Philadelphia- It’s been mentioned on the forums that Philly could do well in the UFL due to the MLS stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania and the massively long waiting list. I don’t know, as Eagles fans are very passionate about their team.

Detroit- (I already mentioned Detroit earlier.)

Washington DC/Baltimore- The Redskins play in Maryland. DC Proper doesn’t have an NFL team, and there is much frustration over Dan Snyder. Best bet though is a team across the border in Virginia. They have supported alternate leagues before. As for Baltimore? Would have been perfect had the Ravens not been there.

Tennessee- Memphis yes, Nashville no.

Carolina- Raleigh yes, Charlotte no. The team might be called Carolina and it could cause some problems.

Houston- Been known to support alternate leagues, dating back to the 60s. Rice Stadium, Robertson Stadium, and the Houston Dynamo MLS Stadium could be options. Yes, there would be competition with the Texans, but they really haven’t done much in the NFL anyways.

Cincy- Bengals have sucked for years with no signs of getting better. Best bet though is Columbus.

New England- Providence (which is closer to Foxboro than Boston), no. Boston? No. Hartford? Yes.

New Orleans- Saints signed a long term deal with New Orleans, but may still want a new stadium. There are hurricane issues, but the city has made sure Katrina doesn’t happen again.

The Watch List:

San Diego- San Diego would be a great option for the UFL if the Chargers move out of the area. Of course, Qualcomm Stadium is pretty old (which is why the Chargers want a new stadium), so that would have to be fixed up. The Chargers have an out clause that would give them the option to break from their lease if they so desired. They did not break the lease this year as they attempt to look for options in the San Diego area.

Buffalo- Once Ralph Wilson dies, all bets are off on the Bills staying in Buffalo. If the team moves (Toronto?) Buffalo could serve as an interesting market for a UFL team. Ralph Wilson Stadium would be too big, but UB Stadium (30,000 seats) on the University of Buffalo Campus would be good.

Jacksonville- They have had trouble selling out the stadium even when they were winning. There had been rumors of the team being for sale for a long time. Wayne Weaver still owns the team, but if he sells it, the Jags may not be in Jacksonville that much longer. Would make a nice in-state rivalry for Orlando.

Minnesota- Twins and University of Minnesota are moving out of the Metrodome, yet they remain. That stadium is pretty old and they haven’t been making any progress on a new stadium. Maybe the impending arrival of Brett Favre changes all that. Maybe not. It would be disappointing to see Adrian Peterson win a Super Bowl in another city.

Oakland- They have been wanting a new stadium for a while. There had been rumors of them sharing the Santa Clara stadium with the 49ers, and seeing as how deranged Al Davis can be, who knows. He might announce he’s jumping to the UFL.

St. Louis- Rams are for sale. Someone could buy the team and bring back the Los Angeles Rams.

That’s my opinion on which NFL markets could work in the UFL and which ones won’t work. Personally? I only want NY, SF and Chicago.