Football is America’s number one sport for one reason: there is simply no other sporting event quite as exciting! From the excitement of scoring a touchdown to quarterbacks launching an inch perfect pass to a forward runner, the intensity and passion keeps fans hooked.
Fans become so hooked to their team, that an emotional bond is formed between city and franchise. This leads to the topic in question, a somewhat strange phenomenon that does happen occasionally- the relocation of NFL franchises. Yes, this actually does happen! It’s a little bizarre, seeing as how a franchise spends time building a fanbase in their city. Can they simply pick up new fans and discard the old?
We have composed a list of the biggest NFL franchises that ended up moving away from their home base. Whether the relocation was the result of new ownership, a new stadium or something else, we have all the answers you’re looking for. Continue on to discover exactly which franchises relocated!
Oakland Raiders To Los Angeles (1982)
In 1980, Al Davis, the owner of the Oakland Raiders, unsuccessfully attempted to make improvements to the franchise’s home stadium, the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum. In a defiant response, he signed an agreement to move the franchise from Oakland to Los Angeles! Despite the move initially being defeated by NFL owners (22-0), a second jury eventually ruled in favor of Davis and approved the move. They formally moved in 1982 and began to play their games at the Los Angeles Coliseum.