Welcome, Lykkers! It's no secret that football is more than just a game in America—it's a way of life.
According to a recent 2024 Gallup poll, a whopping 41% of Americans consider football their favorite spectator sport, leaving other sports like baseball in the dust at a mere 10%.
Touchdowns and TV Ratings: The NFL Reigns Supreme
The NFL continues to dominate TV screens, breaking records with its 2024 regular season viewership hitting all-time highs.
Week 1 saw 21 million viewers per game, with Thanks-giving Day games setting records with an average of 34.2 million viewers.
Despite a slight dip in overall viewership from the previous year, with an average of 17.5 million viewers per game, the NFL remains a powerhouse in the world of sports entertainment.
Expanding Horizons: A Global Reach
In a bid for international growth, the NFL has been staging games outside the U.S. since 1950. Over the years, the league has held regular-season games in countries like the U.K., Canada, Mexico, Germany, and Brazil, with plans for up to eight international games in 2025, including a debut game in Spain.
The Quest for Expansion: Future NFL Cities
As the NFL looks towards expansion, fans speculate on which cities could become home to the next team. A statistical analysis by Windfall has identified 10 potential cities, each with its own unique characteristics and sports landscape. From Columbus to Austin, these cities present compelling cases for welcoming an NFL franchise.
From Heartbreak to Hope: A History of Team Movement
The NFL's history is filled with tales of franchise relocations that have left fans heartbroken. From the Cleveland Browns' move to Baltimore in the '90s to the Baltimore Colts' midnight departure to Indianapolis, team relocations have been fueled by various factors like poor performance, stadium issues, and economic considerations.
The Price of Progress: Billion-Dollar Stadiums
The NFL's march towards the future comes with a hefty price tag. Stadiums like SoFi Stadium, boasting a $5.95 billion cost, showcase the league's commitment to innovation and fan experience. However, the burden of maintaining these state-of-the-art facilities often falls on the shoulders of fans, with ticket prices and suite costs on the rise.
The Dream of Expansion: Cities in Waiting
Despite the challenges, several cities stand out as viable candidates for welcoming an NFL team. From San Diego to Portland, these cities have the fan base, economic stability, and passion for football that could make them ideal hosts for a new franchise.
The NFL's journey towards expansion is a testament to the passion and dedication of football fans across the country. As cities vie for the opportunity to welcome a new team, the future of America's favorite pastime shines bright on the horizon. Stay tuned, Lykkers, as the NFL continues to make history both on and off the field.
SPORTS 101 // Guide to American Football
Video by Lurks Lessons
