Being a bit of a sad loser, I've had a further think about expansion.

At present, the 4-team, 4-division format works for each conference.

If there was an expansion, surely it would involve either:
a - adding an extra team to each conference (8 extra teams);
b - adding an extra division to each conference (again, 8 extra teams); or
c - changing the format entirely (2 extra teams is 34 teams and that number is not easily divisible and neither, really, is 36 or 38).

It would seem it narrows down to 2 options - go for expansion BIG time or stick with what works now, with maybe a couple of franchises relocating.

Well if you think about it following on from the Jets, Bills ideas, New York State and Florida both have three teams. Which states currently don't have one?

The whole thing about the Rams moving to St. Louis was that the NFL wanted to exploit the market in Missouri, I couldn't see the Rams leaving unless a new Franchise was to be set up down there.

You already had Kansas City in Missouri ;)

And besides, neither "New York" team actually plays in New York at the moment - Meadowlands is in New Jersey! :D

And if we're talking about whether LA should have one - California already has 3 teams too - Oakland, San Fran and San Diego. Can they justify a 4th?

Lol fair enough I suppose!

*off topic*There's talk of the MLS adding another New York team too! :confused: I know that the Red Bulls are moving to a new stadium actually in NYC, not too sure whether the new team would take up it's place at Giants Stadium.

As you can tell my knowledge of American geography needs some work based on the Kansas thing!

Also off topic I can't understand why the Supersonics in the NBA are relocating and yet the city is gaining an MLS team next season!

Yes, Kansas City is NOT in Kansas!!!

And the Seattle thing? Well, money talks... the people of Seattle would much rather have NBA than MLS!

The thing is, you're assuming that the NFL can just move teams around depending on which states need a team. When it fact, that's not the case - they can have the final word on relocation and explansion teams, but they can't just say "Utah needs an American Football team. Off you go, Oakland Raiders!"

It's more dependent on the wishes of the current owner of that franchise. When Ralph Wilson passes on the chances are his family will flog the Bills to the highest bidder. Common sense dictates that the bidder will keep them in Buffalo or move them to Toronto, which supplies 14 per cent of their ST holders. (They're already panning to play one home game a year at the 50,000 capacity Rogers Center from next season onwards). But if the new owner feels that moving to another big-ish TV market like Orlando or Portland would be beneficial, there's every chance the NFL would ratify that move.

I kinda get that Ben, obviously the league can't just move teams around as they please... Lol! I don't think I made myself clear. :D Orlando, another Florida team!? That'd be crazy!

It doesn't matter about the state though, it matters about the city and the money involved. Whilst Florida isn't overly big it is highly populated and rich and Orlando has the Disney factor.

To be fair it is right on the border with Kansas.
Don't get me started. Most annoying thing to me in American sport at the moment, how a Seattle businessman sold the team to a group from Oklahoma City. Where are the team wanting to move to again? How predictable.

The previous owner (one of the guys who either owned or was very high up in $tarbucks) got frustrated with the city not building a new arena. Now you'll have the Oklahoma City SuperSonics and in a few years David Stern will forget what he said about the NBA leaving Seattle, the city will build a new arena and an expansion team will probably go there. Sad and pointless.

Exactly. They're not going to put a team in New Mexico just for the sake of it.

I can't remember where I heard it, but a good theory is that Los Angeles is the threat over every city where a team wants a new stadium. "Oh, won't build us a new stadium? We know a city who will."

Maybe Orlando should bring back this mob :)

http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/1871/thunder.html

Yep, totally agreed and totally stupid.

Probably the wrong thread, but wasn't there also talk of changing the nickname as they "didn't like the way it sounded" as OK City SuperSonics?

Maybe I'll relocate the Pats there on Madden. :o

B@st@rd :D

Anyway, they would be even better in warmer weather and not dealing with the New England winter ;)

Apparently, Washington's roster as it stands will be $20 million over the salary cap going into the 2008 season.

Be interesting to see which of your big boys you're forced to let go over the next few weeks, Mr Bear.

Most of that is probably Brandon Lloyd's salary :D

They did it in Any Given Sunday! ;)

:)

Sadly for your lot, he's only scheduled to earn $605,000 next season. Although he is due a $1.8m roster bonus, so you'd save $2.2mil in roster space by cutting him. Just another $17million-odd to go!

Shawn Springs is also on his way apparently.

Hang on, I'm talking shit - apparently with bonuses he takes up $4.8mil of your cap space for next season. So you will save a bit.