Top 5 Cities that Deserve a Professional Sports Team

The NFL, NBA, and MLB are always looking to expand into new markets. Expansion opens up new markets, new fans, and new money. Fans are often against it as it waters down the talent pool, but professional sports is a business and money is king.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say that all professional sports teams are evil and driven by money. Far from it. I love sports and love when an expansion team forms. It's exciting to me to see a new city join the old teams. Therefore, here is my top five recommendations for cities that deserve an expansion. I didn't just look at population and pick the five most populous cities. I wanted to choose cities west of the Mississippi. Professional sports seems to expand in the east well, but the gamble seems to be in the west. Seattle just lost their NBA team, Los Angeles can't hold an NFL team, and only one of the last six expansions in the NFL have been in the west (Houston).

I looked at populous areas that were far from other professional sports teams. The thought was that there would be little else for the people to do so they would support their team. It works in Green Bay.

Here we go...

5. Las Vegas, Nevada
This seems like the obvious choice. It's the city that's constantly overlooked by every major sport. When the Montreal Expos relocated, it was between Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. There were once rumors of the San Diego Chargers relocating to Vegas. But, Las Vegas only has minor league baseball, hockey, and an AFL team. According to Wikipedia, a new arena is being built which should attract an NBA or NHL team. With a metropolitan area of over two million people, it's ridiculous that Las Vegas is so overlooked. They deserve a chance. Possible Nicknames: Gamblers, Rat Pack, Rustlers, Wranglers, or Bighorns.

4. Omaha, Nebraska
With a population of almost 400,000, the only reason Omaha could have been so grossly ignored is that it seems like college sports territory. I find it odd that this would slow down the NFL or the NBA though. Omaha has minor league versions of hockey, baseball, and two football teams. The big guys still overlook this major U.S. city. Possible Nicknames: Pony Express, Tornadoes, Mammoths, B-29s, or Buffalo.

3. Boise, Idaho
Does anyone even know if this city exists? It is one of the small cities on the list at a little over 200,000 people, but it does have a metropolitan area of over 600,000. It boasts four minor league teams in hockey, football, baseball, and basketball. It was named #3 on Forbes Magazine list of best places for businesses and careers. It lends itself to a long-term commitment to any professional sports team. Possible Nicknames: Eagles, Miners, Hagermans, Steamboats, or Pioneers.

2. Albuquerque, New Mexico
I was shocked to learn that Albuquerque has a population over 500,000. How is this possible? It has been completely ignored by any professional sports team. Albuquerque always has minor league baseball, basketball, hockey, and football. This could easily be a Super Bowl city with its warm climate and respectable airport. Baseball would love it due to the lack of rain delays. It is a perfect fit. Possible Nicknames: Ghosthunters, Law, Rail Runners, Barons, or Aztecs.

1. El Paso, Texas
The NFL has played a game in Mexico City and placing a team there would be the next step in reaching across the border. With a population over 600,000, El Paso could easily support any professional sports team. El Paso not only has minor league teams in the four major North American sports, but it also has a soccer team. Sun Bowl Stadium can seat 51,400. That's a smaller NFL team, but it could work for baseball as well. Possible Nicknames: Marshalls, Thunderbirds, War Eagles, Black Jacks, or Del Sol.

Sources:
Las Vegas, Nevada http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas
Omaha, Nebrask http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha
Boise, Idaho http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boise%2C_Idaho
Albuquerque, New Mexico http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberquerque
El Paso, Texas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Paso,_Texas