Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

XFL Football discussion.
Rangersking669
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Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by Rangersking669 »

Considering the recent results of the XFL Expansion Poll, I thought it would be fun to discuss the merits of each and every expansion/relocation market in their own thread, including ones that not even 50 people voted for in the poll despite the fact that they absolutely should be considered and have valid stadium options.

I plan on publishing one of these reports per market about once every 2 weeks but understand I am a STEM major college freshman so often there will likely be delays and I would not be surprised if my schedule quickly shifts once I get into a rhythm this semester. If so, I will edit this post once I figure that out.

Some markets from the poll I won't include in here because realistically, they just aren't viable/logical within the next 10-15 years and/or have limited potential and no prior track record to disprove said limited potential. Think of Richmond, Austin, Omaha, Charlotte, Atlanta, Albuquerque, OKC/Tulsa, Buffalo, who almost all have poor facility choices for the XFL, with some having limited pop size(Albuquerque, Omaha[despite it's strong UFL attendance, it doesn't make sense to play at TD Ameritrade and the XFL is not and will not be at the point for a long, long time that they'll be building or convincing cities to build entirely new stadiums], OKC/Tulsa, Richmond, Buffalo[ESPECIALLY buffalo, too many pro teams for that market size]), or are cities with many other pro teams that have up and down attachment(Atlanta[I honestly view LA in the same light, the XFL's future is unlikely to last long there because fans just won't show up and San Diego is about to unveil a brand spanking new perfect size stadium. Even Dallas I don't see lasting for this reason because it's going to be tough to make GLP look full on TV and how many Texas teams do you need? At least they did a better job integrating the grandstand into the design of the field than in Atlanta where it's tiny and leaves behind a huge section of outfield behind it and seats that you can't realistically watch the game from]), or have multiple much more logical options right next door to them with similar populations and either better facilities(Charlotte vs Raleigh-Durham or Winston-Salem) or proven results(Austin vs San Antonio).

The main reason why I'd like to discuss these in separate threads is because otherwise this post will get exhaustively long as I am a bit of a research nut when I have a special interest as I am autistic(I mean this literally). Therefore, this is just a reference and introduction post for when I make each market thread. Feel free to discuss but I'm going to go a hell of a lot deeper on each market's thread than what this introduction can offer.

Factors to consider include but are not limited to loyalty and support of sports teams, population, quality of stadiums, difficulties of territories whether politically or economically, history of spring/alt league football in the past, nearby competing major in season sports teams and NFL teams, parking/transportation availability, and former presence of NFL teams.

In the list below, I will name markets by CSA(combined statistical area) with only relevant cities named, if necessary, break into separate relevant MSA's(metropolitan statistical areas) under each CSA, and if no CSA, just MSA. Included will be XFL-quality and NFL stadiums with capacity in order(and distance from main city if needed), sports teams in season and NFL teams, population, recent former NFL teams(if any), and former spring/alt relevant league football teams(notated Spring Football History for convenience) in USFL and since, including only USFL, XFL '01, UFL, and AAF.
Without further ado, here are all the ones in consideration for me, sorted by 2019 population for convenience:

Chicago CSA: Pop 9.8M NFL Teams: Bears Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: White Sox, Cubs; NBA: Bulls; NHL: Blackhawks; MLS: Fire FC; Spring Football History: Blitz USFL, Enforcers XFL '01; Stadiums: Soldier Field(NFL), Capacity: 61.5K; SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview(~20 min from Chicago) Capacity: 20K

Oakland-San Francisco-San Jose CSA: Pop 9.6M NFL Teams: 49ers; Spring Football History: Oakland Invaders USFL; San Francisco Demons XFL '01

----Oakland-San Francisco MSA: Pop 4.7M Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: OAK Athletics, SF Giants; NBA: GS Warriors(SF); Stadiums: RingCentral Coliseum, Oakland(~10 min from Oakland, ~20 min from SF, ~40 min from SJ) Capacity: 56K-63K(ex NFL; depending on usage/chopping off of top of mount davis); California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley(10% pro sports tax-gross receipts; ~15 min from Oakland, ~25 min from SF, ~55 min from SJ) Capacity: 62.4K

----San Jose MSA: Pop 2M Non-NFL Pro Teams: NHL: SJ Sharks; MLS: SJ Earthquakes; Stadiums: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara(~15 min from SJ, ~40 min from Oakland, ~45 min from SF) Capacity: 68.5K(NFL); Stanford Stadium, Stanford(~25 min from SJ, ~40 min from OAK/SF) Capacity: 50.4K; Earthquakes Stadium, SJ Capacity: 18.5K

Boston-Providence CSA: Pop 8.3M NFL Teams: Patriots; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Red Sox; NBA: Celtics; NHL: Bruins; MLS: NE Revolution; Stadiums: Gillette Stadium(NFL), Foxborough(~30 min from Boston,~30 min from Providence) Capacity: 65.9K; Alumni Stadium, Chester Hill(~15 minutes from Boston, ~55 min from Providence) Capacity: 44.5K

Philadelphia CSA: Pop 7.2M NFL Teams: Eagles; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Phillies; NBA: 76ers; NHL: Flyers; MLS: Union; Stadiums: Lincoln Financial Field(NFL), Philadelphia Capacity 69.8K; Subaru Park, Chester(~25 min from Philadelphia) Capacity 18.5K

Miami CSA: Pop 6.9M NFL Teams: Dolphins; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Marlins; NBA: Heat; NHL: Florida Panthers; MLS: Inter Miami CF; Stadiums: Hard Rock Stadium(NFL), Miami Gardens(~20 min from Miami) Capacity: 65.3K; FAU Stadium, Boca Raton(~50 min from Miami) Capacity: 30K; Riccardo Silva Stadium, Miami(FIU Campus, ~25 min from Downtown Miami) Capacity: 20K; Inter Miami CF Stadium, Fort Lauderdale(~35 min from Miami) Capacity: 18K

Orlando CSA: Pop 4.2M NFL Teams: None in market, closest is TB Buccaneers(~1 hour 25 min from Orlando); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NBA: Magic; MLS: Orlando City SC; Spring Football History: Orlando Renegades USFL, Orlando Rage XFL '01, Florida Tuskers UFL, Orlando Apollos AAF; Stadiums: Camping World Stadium, Orlando Capacity: 65K; Bounce House, Orlando(UCF Campus, ~25 min from Downtown Orlando) Capacity: 44.2K; Exploria Stadium, Orlando Capacity: 25.5K

Minneapolis-St Paul CSA: Pop 4M NFL Teams: Vikings; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Twins; NBA: Timberwolves; NHL: Wild; MLS: Minnesota United FC; Stadiums: US Bank Stadium(NFL), Minneapolis(~15 min from St Paul) Capacity: 73K; TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis(~10 min from Downtown Minneapolis, ~15 min from St Paul) Capacity: 50.8K; Allianz Field, St Paul(~10 min from Downtown St Paul and Downtown Minneapolis) Capacity: 19.4K

Denver CSA: Pop 3.6M NFL Teams: Broncos; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Colorado Rockies; NBA: Nuggets; NHL: Colorado Avalanche; MLS: Colorado Rapids; Spring Football History: Gold USFL; Stadiums: Empower Field, Denver(~10 min from Downtown Denver) Capacity: 76.1K; Folsom Field, Boulder(~30 min from Denver) Capacity: 50.1K; Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City(~20 min from Denver) Capacity 18.1K

San Diego CSA: Pop 3.3M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest teams are LA Rams and Chargers in Inglewood(~1 hour 50 min from SD); Former NFL Teams: Chargers; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Padres; Stadiums: Aztec Stadium(Projected Completion: 2022), San Diego(~15 min from Downtown San Diego) Capacity: 35K

Portland CSA: Pop 3.3M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Seattle Seahawks(~2 hours 45 min from Portland); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NBA: Blazers; MLS: Timbers; Spring Football History: Portland Breakers USFL Stadiums: Providence Park, Portland(~10 min from Downtown Portland) Capacity: 25.1K

Salt Lake City CSA: Pop 2.6M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Las Vegas Raiders(~6 hours from SLC); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NBA: Utah Jazz; MLS: Real Salt Lake; Spring Football History: Stallions AAF; Stadiums: Rice-Eccles Stadium, SLC Capacity: 45.8K; Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy(~20 min from SLC) Capacity: 20.2K

Sacramento CSA: Pop 2.6M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is SF 49ers in Santa Clara(~1 hour 50 min from Sacramento); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NBA: Kings; MLS: Sacramento Republic FC(Future Debut year undetermined); Spring Football History: Sacramento Mountain Lions UFL; Stadiums: Railyards Stadium(same uncertainty as to completion as SRFC MLS Debut), Sacramento Capacity: 21K

San Antonio CSA: Pop 2.6M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Houston Texans(~3 hours from San Antonio), although there remains strong Dallas Cowboys fan base(~4 hours 15 min from San Antonio); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NBA: Spurs; Spring Football History: Gunslingers USFL, Commanders AAF; Stadiums: Alamodome, San Antonio Capacity: 64K-72K

Columbus CSA: Pop 2.5M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Cincinnati Bengals(~1 hour, 40 min from Columbus); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NHL: Blue Jackets; MLS: Columbus Crew SC; Stadiums: Ohio Stadium, Columbus Capacity 102.8K; New Columbus Crew Stadium(replaces MAPFRE Stadium in 2021), Columbus Capacity: 20K

Kansas City CSA: Pop 2.5M; NFL Teams: Chiefs; Non-NFL Pro Teams: MLB: Royals; MLS: Sporting KC; Stadiums: Arrowhead Stadium(NFL), Kansas City(~15 min from Downtown KC) Capacity: 76.4K; Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City, KS(~20 minutes from KC, MO) Capacity: 18.5K

Raleigh-Durham CSA: Pop 2.1M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Carolina Panthers in Charlotte(~2 hours 10 min from Durham, ~2 hours 30 min from Raleigh); Non-NFL Pro Teams: NHL: Carolina Hurricanes(Raleigh); Stadiums: Wallace-Wade Stadium, Durham(Duke campus, ~10 min from Downtown Durham, ~30 min from Raleigh) Capacity: 40K

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Chesapeake CSA: Pop 1.9M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Washington Football Team in Landover, MD(~3 hours 10 min from Norfolk, ~3 hour 20 min from Virginia Beach, ~3 hour 25 min from Chesapeake); Non-NFL Pro Teams: None; Spring Football History: Virginia Destroyers UFL(Virginia Beach); Stadiums: S.B Ballard Stadium, Norfolk(ODU campus, ~10 min from Downtown Norfolk, ~20 min from Chesapeake, ~30 min from Virginia Beach) Capacity: 22.5K(easily expandable to 30K in future)

Greensboro-Winston-Salem CSA: Pop 1.7M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Carolina Panthers in Charlotte(~1 hour 15 min from Winston-Salem, 1 hour 25 min from Greensboro); Non-NFL Pro Teams: None; Stadiums: Truist Field, Winston-Salem(Wake Forest campus, ~10 min from Downtown Winston-Salem, ~35 min from Greensboro) Capacity: 31.5K

Birmingham CSA: Pop 1.3M; NFL Teams: None in market, closest team is Atlanta Falcons(~2 hours 15 min from Birmingham); Non-NFL Pro Teams: None; Spring Football History: Stallions USFL, Thunderbolts XFL '01, Iron AAF; Stadiums: Protective Stadium, Birmingham Capacity: 47.1K

I can answer questions about why I didn't include any particular market on the list if you'd like, just ask and I'll give reasons. Remember, these are options that have to be available and feasible within the next 5-10 years from when the XFL kicks off.
Last edited by Rangersking669 on Tue Apr 06, 2021 4:15 am, edited 4 times in total.
GDAWG
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by GDAWG »

Oakland (Ring Central) Coliseum isn't happening because the A's are not going to allow football to be played there anymore.

Providence Park is a no as well because the Portland Timbers of MLS kicked out the Portland State Football team (but allowed the soccer teams to continue to play there).
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by MGB01 »

Not to mention SD's new stadium will be on-campus (as is their basketball arena), and SDSU isn't likely to accommodate.
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by GDAWG »

MGB01 wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:57 pm Not to mention SD's new stadium will be on-campus (as is their basketball arena), and SDSU isn't likely to accommodate.
yeah, San Diego State acquired the land where the former Jack Murphy/Qualcomm Stadium used to be once the Chargers left.
Rangersking669
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by Rangersking669 »

MGB01 wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:57 pm Not to mention SD's new stadium will be on-campus (as is their basketball arena), and SDSU isn't likely to accommodate.
The stadium is literally a parking lot across from the old qualcomm stadium lot and the xfl has already worked with other universities before like u of h
Rangersking669
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by Rangersking669 »

GDAWG wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:30 pm Oakland (Ring Central) Coliseum isn't happening because the A's are not going to allow football to be played there anymore.

Providence Park is a no as well because the Portland Timbers of MLS kicked out the Portland State Football team (but allowed the soccer teams to continue to play there).
Portland State actually chose to leave. The reason why was because of playoff games scheduling being unknown. Not because the MLS "kicked them out" except for the fact that Timbers games naturally had priority. The XFL can work around this as they only have to deal with the early regular season schedule, not unknown playoff dates. As for Oakland, the A's want to move out of there so if the XFL acts swiftly before they finally get a new stadium they can take the coliseum much like they took globe life park
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by GDAWG »

Rangersking669 wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:34 pm
GDAWG wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:30 pm Oakland (Ring Central) Coliseum isn't happening because the A's are not going to allow football to be played there anymore.

Providence Park is a no as well because the Portland Timbers of MLS kicked out the Portland State Football team (but allowed the soccer teams to continue to play there).
Portland State actually chose to leave. The reason why was because of playoff games scheduling being unknown. Not because the MLS "kicked them out" except for the fact that Timbers games naturally had priority. The XFL can work around this as they only have to deal with the early regular season schedule, not unknown playoff dates. As for Oakland, the A's want to move out of there so if the XFL acts swiftly before they finally get a new stadium they can take the coliseum much like they took globe life park
the A's own half of the Coliseum and are trying to buy the other half and eventually turn the stadium into a park and residential area. They are going to tear down the Coliseum as soon as they acquire 100% of the stadium and move into their new one. So there's not a chance an XFL team ever plays at the Coliseum.
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by GDAWG »

Also if you want XFL teams to play in college stadiums, they have to be aesthetically pleasing. What I mean by that is what happened with the Houston Roughnecks. They were able to get their own logos and wordmarks on the stadium that is owned by the University of Houston. Not every college stadium has that ability. Some of them have the wordmarks and logos stitched on there that they are there permanently. Remember the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF? The stadium they played in, Rice-Eccles Stadium and you saw that the University of Utah logos and wordmarks were all over that stadium while the Stallions were playing there. It looked amateurish. Those college stadiums are eliminated. If you have to have a future XFL team play in a college stadium, you have to make sure the stadium has the ability to have the logos and wordmarks of that college be removable on a temporary basis, like Houston.
Rangersking669
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by Rangersking669 »

GDAWG wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 7:17 pm Also if you want XFL teams to play in college stadiums, they have to be aesthetically pleasing. What I mean by that is what happened with the Houston Roughnecks. They were able to get their own logos and wordmarks on the stadium that is owned by the University of Houston. Not every college stadium has that ability. Some of them have the wordmarks and logos stitched on there that they are there permanently. Remember the Salt Lake Stallions of the AAF? The stadium they played in, Rice-Eccles Stadium and you saw that the University of Utah logos and wordmarks were all over that stadium while the Stallions were playing there. It looked amateurish. Those college stadiums are eliminated. If you have to have a future XFL team play in a college stadium, you have to make sure the stadium has the ability to have the logos and wordmarks of that college be removable on a temporary basis, like Houston.
Or the XFL can just pay for a new turf like they did in houston that doesn't have the wordmarks stitched in...
Last edited by Rangersking669 on Fri Jan 15, 2021 8:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Introduction to the XFL Expansion/Relocation City Discussion Bonanza, Including Underdiscussed Cities

Post by Rangersking669 »

GDAWG wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:43 pm
Rangersking669 wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:34 pm
GDAWG wrote: Fri Jan 15, 2021 5:30 pm Oakland (Ring Central) Coliseum isn't happening because the A's are not going to allow football to be played there anymore.

Providence Park is a no as well because the Portland Timbers of MLS kicked out the Portland State Football team (but allowed the soccer teams to continue to play there).
Portland State actually chose to leave. The reason why was because of playoff games scheduling being unknown. Not because the MLS "kicked them out" except for the fact that Timbers games naturally had priority. The XFL can work around this as they only have to deal with the early regular season schedule, not unknown playoff dates. As for Oakland, the A's want to move out of there so if the XFL acts swiftly before they finally get a new stadium they can take the coliseum much like they took globe life park
the A's own half of the Coliseum and are trying to buy the other half and eventually turn the stadium into a park and residential area. They are going to tear down the Coliseum as soon as they acquire 100% of the stadium and move into their new one. So there's not a chance an XFL team ever plays at the Coliseum.
The rangers were considering doing that for a time too while keeping the facade of the stadium. Things can always change..
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