Caution: LA is coming to steal your NFL team in 2011

[stjr]

I don't think Orlando could be ruled out entirely.  It's like a "clean" version of Las Vegas.  Yes, its close to Tampa and Miami, but it would likely draw Orlando, Daytona, the Space Coast, and, yes, nostalgic Jax fans.  The NFL has/had "close" teams elsewhere, including NYJ/NYG, San Fran/Oak, Wash/Bal/Phil, Indianapolis/Cincy, LAR/LAR/San Diego.

More importantly, every time Orlando played another NFL team, that visiting team's fans would make a weekend pilgrimage to Orlando to see the game and hit the theme parks.  That might give them higher attendance than their local population alone would suggest.  Add, that everyone in Orlando just about is from somewhere else giving visiting teams a built in fan base.

Of course, they need a new stadium, but if they want it bad enough, it seems they could be a contender.

With half time shows produced, on a rotating basis, by the theme parks, they could put on quite a show.

[TheProfessor]

Not much sense talking about the Jags leaving.  The only thing we can do is buy tickets and support our team through showing team pride.

[reednavy]

Indy and Cincy have enough distance between them.

Orlando and Tampa do not, and The NFL will not give them a look until the Orlando-Kissimmee metro area adds another 2-4 million. Orlando's problem is that they can't find the cash to even renovate the Citrus Bowl, in addition to being only 80 miles from Tampa. The whole Orlando-Daytona-Melbourns region has only about 2.5 million people. Orlando is likely to never get another pro sports team unless someone or a group come forward with the cash to do so and build a new stadium.

San Antonio-Austin is a very viable pair of markets that continue to grow and I believe can support a NFL franchise, specifically Austin.

[mtraininjax]

If the Orlando market cannot support Jacksonville, why would the NFL move there? It does not make sense.

[I-10east]

San Antonio-Austin is a very viable pair of markets that continue to grow and I believe can support a NFL franchise, specifically Austin.

IMO those markets are too overwhelmed with Cowboy/Longhorn faithful. If you think that Jax is crazy about the Gators/Seminoles/Bulldogs, try Austin with it's beloved Longhorns; I know to never say never, but I don't see a NFL team going to any of those cities.

[stjr]

The whole Orlando-Daytona-Melbourns region has only about 2.5 million people.

Isn't this double Jax?  We have a team with half the population.  Why would this doubled amount then be inadequate?

If the Orlando market cannot support Jacksonville, why would the NFL move there? It does not make sense.

I didn't know Orlando had a responsibility to support Jax.  And, if it could do better, how much of that failure is due to the Jags not marketing well to the Orlando market?

[reednavy]

Isn't this double Jax?  We have a team with half the population.  Why would this doubled amount then be inadequate?

It may be, but look how close they are to another NFL market. That may not be the biggest thing, but unless they get a new stadium, ain't gunna happen. Even then, I doubt it.

[mtraininjax]

You did not know that the games are blacked out in Orlando? 2-hour drive, so how would the NFL handle televising Tampa or Orlando games? That would be a cluster since they are within 2 hours of each other.

Would not happen, too much of a mess in NFL TV issues.

[stjr]

2-hour drive, so how would the NFL handle televising Tampa or Orlando games? That would be a cluster since they are within 2 hours of each other.

The same way the Redskins and Ravens are handled.  Washington and Baltimore are closer than Tampa and  Orlando.  Somehow. the NFL makes it work.

[mtraininjax]

Without a stadium in Orlando with luxury boxes, I am not worried about Orlando.

[I-10east]

Alabama's new NFL team.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D72EPFksUxE

[buckethead]

"Roll'd" Tide!

[kells904]

Rick Rolled!!!  Yesssssss!!!  BTW he has a new song out.

[tufsu1]

2-hour drive, so how would the NFL handle televising Tampa or Orlando games? That would be a cluster since they are within 2 hours of each other.

The same way the Redskins and Ravens are handled.  Washington and Baltimore are closer than Tampa and  Orlando.  Somehow. the NFL makes it work.

Well, Baltimore-Washington is a combined metro area of 8+ million people...versus just over 3 million w/ Orlando-Jax....or 5 million with Orlando-Tampa

that said, the 'Skins werent real happy when Baltimore got a team back....and the Orioles tried to block DC from getting baseball back too.

[tufsu1]

You did not know that the games are blacked out in Orlando?

they aren't....the blackout rule is 75 miles....so you can actually catch Jags games in Daytona