NFL Coverage Map: States Without Professional Football Teams

States without NFL teams: explore America’s football deserts

Professional football has become America’s favorite sport, with the national football league (NFL) standing as the pinnacle of athletic achievement in the game. With 32 teams spread across the country, the NFL has established a significant footprint in many major metropolitan areas. Nonetheless, despite the league’s extensive reach, several states remain without an NFL franchise to call their own.

The complete list of states without NFL teams

Presently, 22 states do not host a nNFLteam. These states include:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

This mean that less than half of the 50 states really host a nNFLteam, despite football’s status as the almost popular sport in aAmerica

Regional distribution of NFL teams

The NFL’s geographical footprint reveal interesting patterns about where professional football thrives. Teams tend to cluster in certain regions, especially in states with large populations and major metropolitan areas.

Source: fity.club

States with multiple NFL teams

Several states host multiple NFL franchises:

• California: Los Angeles rams, Los Angeles chargers, San Francisco 49ers
• Florida: Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay buccaneers
• New York: Buffalo Bills, New York giants, New York jets (though the giants and jets play in nNew Jersey)
• Ohio: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns
• Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Texas: Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans

States with single NFL teams

These states host one NFL franchise each:

• Arizona: Arizona Cardinals
• Colorado: Denver Broncos
• Georgia: Atlanta Falcons
• Illinois: Chicago bears
• Indiana: Indianapolis Colts
• Louisiana: New Orleans saints
• Maryland: Baltimore Ravens
• Massachusetts: New England patriots
• Michigan: Detroit Lions
• Minnesota: Minnesota Vikings
• Missouri: Kansas City chiefs
• New Jersey: New York giants and New York jets (though name for nNew York)
• North Carolina: Carolina Panthers
• Tennessee: Tennessee Titans
• Washington: Seattle Seahawks
• Wisconsin: Green Bay packers

Why some states lack NFL teams

Several factors contribute to why almost half of u.s. states don’t have NFL franchises. Understand these reasons help explain the current distribution of teams.

Population and market size

The virtually obvious factor is population density and market size. NFL franchises are multibillion dollar businesses that require substantial local support. States with smaller populations oftentimes lack the consumer base need to sustain a nNFLteam.

Source: dailysnark.com

Wyoming, for example, have a population of roughly 580,000 people — interchange excessively small to support a nNFLfranchise that require tens of thousands of fans to fill a stadium multiple times per season.

Proximity to exist teams

Some states without NFL teams are located nigh to states that do have teams. Connecticut residents, for instance, caneasilyy support tNew Englandand patriots New Yorkork teams. LikewisDelawareare is close Philadelphiahia, aKentuckycky residents can follow tCincinnati Bengalsals Tennessee Titansans.

College football dominance

In states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Oregon, college football reign supreme. The university of Alabama, university of Oklahoma, and university of Oregon have passionate fan bases that might make it challenge foran NFL franchise to establish the same level of loyalty and support.

Economic factors

Building and maintain a nNFLstadium require significant investment from both private and public sectors. States with stronger economies and larger tax bases are advantageously ppositionedto offer attractive deals to team owners consider relocation or expansion.

Notable states without NFL teams

While many states without NFL teams have obvious reasons for their absence, several notable cases stand out as potentially viable markets that remain untapped.

Oregon

With Portland as a major metropolitan area and the success of other professional sports franchises like the NBA’s trailblazers, oOregoncould potentially support aanfNFLeam. Nonetheless, its proximity to seSeattlend the strong seSeahawksafan basen the pacific northwest may be a limit factor.

Alabama

Despite being dwelling to passionate football fans and two powerhouse college programs (aAlabamaand auburn ) alAlabamaack anaflNFLesence. The state’s population is divdivided its loyalties to these college teams, which might complicate efforts to establish anaflNFLanchise.

Oklahoma

With the success of the NBA’s Oklahoma City thunder demonstrate the state’s ability to support professional sports, Oklahoma might seem like a candidate for NFL expansion. Yet, the state’s comparatively small population and the dominance of college football present challenges.

Nevada

Until lately, Nevada would have been on this list. Nonetheless, the Oakland Raiders relocate to Las Vegas, become the Las Vegas raiders and give Nevada its first NFL team. This move demonstrates how theNFLl landscape continue to evolve.

The future: potential expansion states

As the NFL consider future growth, several states without teams could emerge as candidates for expansion or relocation.

Virginia

Northern Virginia’s proximity to Washington d.c. make it a potential landing spot for a team. The Washington commanders (once the wWashingtonfootball team )have exexploredtadium options in vVirginia which could technically give the state its first nNFLteam if a move materializes.

Oklahoma

With a growtOklahoma Cityty metropolitan area and strong football traditionOklahomama could finally attracNFLfl interest, especially if the leaguexpandsnd beyond its current 32 team format.

Oregon

Portland represents a sizable market that lackNFLl representation. As the league consider expansion,Oregonn’s largest city might receive consideration.

NFL expansion: historical context

The NFL hasn’t addean a altogether new franchise since tHouston Texansans join in 2002. Anterior to that, the leagaddsadd Jacksonville Jaguarsuars Carolina Panthershers in 1995. This comparatively slow pace of expansion will suggest that many states will remain withNFL nfl teams for the foreseeable future.

Relocation, instead than expansion, has been the primary method of NFL movement in recent decades. Examples include:

• St. Louis rams move to Los Angeles (2016 )
• San Diego chargers move to Los Angeles (2017 )
• Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas (2020 )

Alternative football in states without NFL teams

States without NFL franchises aren’t inevitably football deserts. Many have vibrant football cultures through other leagues and levels of play.

College football

In states like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Oregon, college football dominate the sports landscape. The university of Alabama, university of Oklahoma, and university of Oregon are perennial powerhouses that attract massive crowds and television audiences.

Minor leagues and alternative professional football

Various alternative professional football leagues have attempt to fill the void in states without NFL teams. These include:

• XFL
• USF
• Indoor football league (iIFL)

While these leagues haven’t achieved theNFLl’s level of success, they provide football entertainment in marketsunderservede by thNFLfl.

Fan allegiances in states without teams

Residents of states without NFL teams typically support teams from neighboring states or teams with historical or cultural connections to their region.

For example:

• Many Alabama residents support the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans saints, or Tennessee Titans
• Oklahoma fans frequently follow the Dallas Cowboys or Kansas City chiefs
• Oregon residents often support the Seattle Seahawks

These regional allegiances create interesting patterns of fandom that don’t inevitably follow state boundaries.

Economic impact of missing NFL teams

States without NFL teams miss out on certain economic benefits that come with host professional football franchises.

Direct economic benefits

NFL teams generate revenue through:

• Ticket sales
• Concessions
• Merchandise
• Local media deals
• Tourism relate to game attendance

Indirect benefits

Beyond direct spending, NFL teams can provide:

• Enhanced city / state profile and prestige
• Development around stadium areas
• Community pride and identity

Yet, economists debate the actual net economic impact of professional sports teams, with some studies suggest that public funding for stadiums seldom deliver the promise economic returns.

Conclusion: the change landscape of NFL coverage

While 22 states presently lack NFL teams, the league’s geographical footprint continue to evolve. Factors like population shifts, economic development, and will change fan interests will influence future team locations.

For nowadays, fans in states without NFL teams will continue to will support teams from neighboring states or will focus their passion on college football. The NFL’s strategic decisions about expansion and relocation will determine whether any of these football free states will finally will join the ranks of those will host America’s virtually popular professional sports league.

As the NFL consider its future growth, the balance between maintain the league’s exclusivity and expand its reach remain a delicate one. Whether the list of states without NFL teams grow shorter or yearn in coming years will depend on complex factors will involve economics, demographics, and they will evolveAmericann sports landscape.