OT: The NFL in Orlando?

[The_Watcher]

Admittedly, I'm just now getting into the NFL. I come from a huge basketball family and to a lesser extent soccer and boxing -

I remember reading this article in the Orlando Sentinel about this time last year with our Orange County mayor and city mayor pretty much saying they would try to get the NFL in Orlando now that the Citrus Bowl has been renovated.

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/can-orlando-lure-nfl-franchise-mayor-jacobs-sure-h/69566895

Just ran into this article on the Facebook timeline:
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/citrus-bowl-nfl-games-dallas-cowboys-new-york-jets-tampa-bay-buccaneers-041216

Thoughts of an eventual team in Orlando (even with TB, JAX, and MIA in the NFL already)?

[AdamTheGreek]

No. The Florida market is already over-saturated. Only chance it works is if either the Jags or Bucs move here.

There are too many transplants with established NFL allegiances (I'm an Eagles fan). Also, the Citrus Bowl would have to get renovated again to accommodate the need for more suites.

[MagicFan101]

No. The Florida market is already over-saturated. Only chance it works is if either the Jags or Bucs move here.

There are too many transplants with established NFL allegiances (I'm an Eagles fan). Also, the Citrus Bowl would have to get renovated again to accommodate the need for more suites.

As someone who grew up in Orlando and now lives just a short walk from the (currently being built) new Cowboys practice facility in the Dallas suburbs, I can assure you that if Orlando ever gets an NFL team the Citrus bowl will have nothing to do with it. You can't renovate that crusty thing enough to make it NFL worthy. They would need to build a new stadium from the ground up.

[Hogified05]

If the Jags go to London and Tampa wanted to move to Orlando is the only way I see it happening. Now way they put 4 nfl franchises that close together. Central and North Florida will always be dominated by the Gators and Seminoles anyways.

[The_Watcher]

Also, the Citrus Bowl would have to get renovated again to accommodate the need for more suites.

Both Jacobs and Citrus Sports said they realize more luxury boxes and suites would have to be added. They said it's a conversation they're willing to have.

[MagicMadness]

There are tons of Dolphins and Bucs fans in Orlando. I don't realistically see it happening, when other states have zero NFL teams.

[drsd]

It makes more sense to add a second team to the LA market over adding a 4th team to Florida. Even adding another Texas team over another Florida team makes greater sense to me.

[UCFJayBird]

Yea the only way it ever happens is if Tampa or Jax move here. Thankfully the city has rallied to support Orlando City and it looks like Orlando will finally be a two sport town. But the demographics just don't support an NFL franchise in Orlando. Not only do we have 3 franchises within driving distance (granted Miami is farther), but we also have UF, FSU, and UCF (and I guess i'll say USF) to ease the desire to see live football, and if we're including the Dolphins then there's also the Hurricanes.

Just too much football within driving distance. Plus so many Orlando residents are not born here, they grow up somewhere else and have allegiances to their hometowns and those cities' teams. It's getting better, a lot more Orlando-born are staying in Orlando these days, but it's still got a long way to go before it's like other major cities.

[JaxMagic]

From a business standpoint, I really think the Jags are missing a huge opportunity in Orlando. If I were Khan, I would be hosting my training camp down there and trying to schedule an annual preseason game vs TB or Miami in the Citrus Bowl.

[BadMofoPimp]

Jags should move to Orlando.

[JaxMagic]

Jags should move to Orlando.

Nah, they are doing just fine where they are.

[Def Swami]

Would be fun to go to one or two Bucs games a year in Orlando.

[Nemesis21]

It's not going to happen, but I agree that the Jags should move to Orlando. I'd still be a Bucs fan though.

[Flannerz]

There's been talk of the Jags possibly moving and being the London team as the owner also owns Fulham.

[JaxMagic]

There's been talk of the Jags possibly moving and being the London team as the owner also owns Fulham.

Not happening. Khan just sunk 45M more dollars into the stadium for an indoor practice facility and is looking to buy the vacant water front property across the street to expand the Jags footprint. The Jags aren't moving anywhere in the very near future.

[Nemesis21]

F that, I wish the NFL would stop with this London crap.

[SOUL]

Incremental additions. Orlando Magic and Orlando City is probably all we could handle right now as far as pro teams.

[Orlwillbeback]

i would like it but I know its impractical for the state.

[Flannerz]

There's been talk of the Jags possibly moving and being the London team as the owner also owns Fulham.

Not happening. Khan just sunk 45M more dollars into the stadium for an indoor practice facility and is looking to buy the vacant water front property across the street to expand the Jags footprint. The Jags aren't moving anywhere in the very near future.

I think it was the English media adding 2+2 together and making 5. He owns a London football club, requested games in London so they thought the Jags would come here when talk of a London franchise hotted up.

[The_Watcher]

Welp, this is something -

Citrus Bowl near to deal for NFL Pro Bowl

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/207407-pro-bowl-might-come-orlando-nfl-wants-tourist-tax-money