OT: Other possible Canadian sports franchises

[McGoMcD]

After the raptors, we got to discussing other possible sports franchises. Clearly, MLB and NBA did expand here and failed (Expos and Grizzlies), but you got to think they would try again at some point. Who do you think could get a team?

Also, hockey is fair to discuss, Quebec City being the obvious next choice I am guessing for NHL.

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[Cloned]

Montreal will eventually get another MLB shot.

 

[Mr Tadakichi]

Montreal will eventually get another MLB shot.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

I think it will happen eventually...100 years from now maybe? I assume most Canadian cities don't have the population to sustain the bigger sports franchises though I would love to see it my life time for Edmonton.

I don't really watch the CFL or NFL but I still think it would be cool to see canadian NFL teams compete for the superbowl.

Edmonton having a NBA team would be interesting. Edmonton Artics? Edmonton Wolverines? Lol.

But sustainability and interest are huge factors I would think and most canadian cities don't have the population to hold them up.

I am glad that we are part of the NHL though. Best sport in the world imho.

 

[McGoMcD]

I think it will happen eventually...100 years from now maybe? I assume most Canadian cities don't have the population to sustain the bigger sports franchises though I would love to see it my life time for Edmonton.

I don't really watch the CFL or NFL but I still think it would be cool to see canadian NFL teams compete for the superbowl.

Edmonton having a NBA team would be interesting. Edmonton Artics? Edmonton Wolverines? Lol.

But sustainability and interest are huge factors I would think and most canadian cities don't have the population to hold them up.

I am glad that we are part of the NHL though. Best sport in the world imho.

Well, Toronto is 5.5 mill, Montreal is 3.5 mill, Van is 2.5 mill, and Edmonton + Calgary is 2.5 mill. The population is there, but it is more the interest. Toronto could easily have an NFL team, but perhaps aren't that interested. I could honestly see Edmonton support an NFL team, I mean Green Bay does.

That said, I am just not sure where we see it happen. I feel like Montreal will get either an NBA or MLB team in the not so distant future. Vancouver has proven not to be much of a sports city, so maybe a bit later. I really think Edmonton and Calgary would be on the radar for all other major sports, they are just sports cities. I could see NBA, NFL, and MLB all potentially making a profit in Alberta, but it won't be any time soon.

 

[guymez]

Well, Toronto is 5.5 mill, Montreal is 3.5 mill, Van is 2.5 mill, and Edmonton + Calgary is 2.5 mill. The population is there, but it is more the interest. Toronto could easily have an NFL team, but perhaps aren't that interested. I could honestly see Edmonton support an NFL team, I mean Green Bay does.

That said, I am just not sure where we see it happen. I feel like Montreal will get either an NBA or MLB team in the not so distant future. Vancouver has proven not to be much of a sports city, so maybe a bit later. I really think Edmonton and Calgary would be on the radar for all other major sports, they are just sports cities. I could see NBA, NFL, and MLB all potentially making a profit in Alberta, but it won't be any time soon.

It really doesnt make sense to include Calgarys population with Edmontons. They are separate cities and much too far apart to be considered 1 population centre.
No way Edmonton can support an NBA team.

Perhaps an MLS team though.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

Well, Toronto is 5.5 mill, Montreal is 3.5 mill, Van is 2.5 mill, and Edmonton + Calgary is 2.5 mill. The population is there, but it is more the interest. Toronto could easily have an NFL team, but perhaps aren't that interested. I could honestly see Edmonton support an NFL team, I mean Green Bay does.

That said, I am just not sure where we see it happen. I feel like Montreal will get either an NBA or MLB team in the not so distant future. Vancouver has proven not to be much of a sports city, so maybe a bit later. I really think Edmonton and Calgary would be on the radar for all other major sports, they are just sports cities. I could see NBA, NFL, and MLB all potentially making a profit in Alberta, but it won't be any time soon.

The population may seem enough but it still seems miniscule comparbly.

Golden state california has population of 39 million. That is more than Canada alone. They must make huge profits off the team from just merchandise that I just can't see commercially viable in the lower populated Canadian cities.


I agree with the bolded and I wonder if it would be more viable if we just had 1 team to represent the other major sports in NBA, MLB, NFL.

Obviously keeping the two NHL franchises but having " Alberta" teams in the other franchises, I would be interested in seeing.

 

[rboomercat90]

Quebec City isn’t getting another NHL franchise either.

 

[McGoMcD]

The population may seem enough but it still seems miniscule comparbly.

Golden state california has population of 39 million. That is more than Canada alone. They must make huge profits off the team from just merchandise that I just can't see commercially viable in the lower populated Canadian cities.


I agree with the bolded and I wonder if it would be more viable if we just had 1 team to represent the other major sports in NBA, MLB, NFL.

Obviously keeping the two NHL franchises but having " Alberta" teams in the other franchises, I would be interested in seeing.

Why would we look at all of Calfornia's population? California has a total of 15 teams (if I counted correctly). The Greater Bay Area has a population of about 7 mill and 5 teams, thats comparable to Toronto which only has 3 teams.

Of course, Canada has less population, but there are still close to 40 million people here.

 

[Senor Catface]

 

[McGoMcD]

It really doesnt make sense to include Calgarys population with Edmontons. They are separate cities and much too far apart to be considered 1 population centre.
No way Edmonton can support an NBA team.

Perhaps an MLS team though.

I admit its a stretch, especially considering we are rivals. Edmonton people probably wouldn't cheer for an NBA team in Calgary just out of spite. Still though they aren't that far apart. They are getting close to being in the same area. We know tons of people in the North West Territories watch the Oilers. IT isn't so much distance as having no other teams in between. If you could get Edmonton and Calgary to support the same team, it isn't' crazy to think of them as the same population. It is a 3-hour drive, not 10.

 

[yukoner88]

How are things going with Halifax n the CFL? It's been rather quiet on that front again.

 

[Cloned]

It really doesnt make sense to include Calgarys population with Edmontons. They are separate cities and much too far apart to be considered 1 population centre.
No way Edmonton can support an NBA team.

Perhaps an MLS team though.

Something like an Alberta team could work though.

 

[Mr Tadakichi]

Something like an Alberta team could work though.

Teaming up with Calgary?

 

[MikeGrier99]

The NFL in Alberta is a pipedream, same with MLB. Vancouver and Montreal will get some interest for either MLB or NBA expansion/relocation but there are many hurdles. There's a reasonable shot we'll see the expos in the next ten years, although the long term competitiveness of such a franchise will be up in the air.

 

[CycloneSweep]

Zero chance the NBA even considers Edmonton.

 

[MettleMcOiler]

Why would we look at all of Calfornia's population? California has a total of 15 teams (if I counted correctly). The Greater Bay Area has a population of about 7 mill and 5 teams, thats comparable to Toronto which only has 3 teams.

Of course, Canada has less population, but there are still close to 40 million people here.

I'm just saying having a larger population generates larger revenue and has higher chance to attract interest with more people.

Toronto Raptors is pretty much Canada's NBA team, but once you bring in competition, people would want to spend money on their team, from their own city and province.
It just comes down to money and equate that to population.

I am assuming that is why Montreal Expos and Vancouver Grizzlies didn't work out was the lack of attendance and revenue.

I consider a US state like a canadian province. Having 39 million people in your province compared to 4.3 million might be an advantage for more than one major sports team to flourish. That is my take on it.

 

[joestevens29]

Toronto has had issues for years with getting guys to play for the Raptors. They've now won and there is still talks of losing high end talent.

I can't see the NBA going anywhere else in Canada and being successful for that reason in itself.

 

[McGoMcD]

I'm just saying having a larger population generates larger revenue and has higher chance to attract interest with more people.

Toronto Raptors is pretty much Canada's NBA team, but once you bring in competition, people would want to spend money on their team, from their own city and province.
It just comes down to money and equate that to population.

I am assuming that is why Montreal Expos and Vancouver Grizzlies didn't work out was the lack of attendance and revenue.

I consider a US state like a canadian province. Having 39 million people in your province compared to 4.3 million might be an advantage for more than one major sports team to flourish. That is my take on it.

Sure, but they didn't fail due to a lack of population. I still don't get your point. Canada has a higher population to a sports team than does the states. Simply Canada is under-represented in terms of population. If all you were looking at is population Canada would have more teams not less.

 

[McGoMcD]

Teaming up with Calgary?

It is an interesting idea. Sasketwan has been able to cheer for one CFL team. Yet Edmonton and Calgary seem incapable of it. If, in theory, they could support one team it would be huge. Suddenly you have a province of 4 million who love sports following one team. But, it would be tough. Calgary and Edmonton are just rivals, where Regina and Saskatoon can support one team.

 

[Messrules11]

Calgary and Edmonton cheering for one team?

 

[joestevens29]

How are things going with Halifax n the CFL? It's been rather quiet on that front again.

Adding another team when two teams are already struggling just doesn't seem smart. Diluted the talent is the last thing the league needs right now.

 

[TJ Hooker]

It is an interesting idea. Sasketwan has been able to cheer for one CFL team. Yet Edmonton and Calgary seem incapable of it. If, in theory, they could support one team it would be huge. Suddenly you have a province of 4 million who love sports following one team. But, it would be tough. Calgary and Edmonton are just rivals, where Regina and Saskatoon can support one team.

Saskatoon and Regina hate each other, as cities.

 

[Soliloquy of a Dogge]

I could see an NFL or NBA team in Edmonton in 2050 or so but let's go 2065 just to be safe. If not both of those leagues, depending on the logistics and how the leagues both evolve. Especially if teams in Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary happen.

Edmonton is one of the best sports cities in North America and would support either no less passionately than the Oilers, in my opinion. The NFL is going to expand internationally to Europe, Mexico and beyond... it's a matter if and not when. A separate Canadian division makes sense in this case. Get rid of the CFL or turn it into a developmental league that can endure.

 

[joestevens29]

I could see an NFL or NBA team in Edmonton in 2050 or so. If not both, depending on the logistics and how the leagues both evolve. Especially if teams in Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary happen.

Edmonton is one of the best sports cities in North America and would support either no less passionately than the Oilers, in my opinion.

I don't see how NFL could ever work in climate. People can barely handle November football games, not sure December and January games would go over to well.

Not sure what NFLers would think about living in Canada either. I do think it would be easier than convincing basketball players though.