NFL franchise moves and mergers

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

WikiProject iconAmerican football Unassessed
WikiProject iconThis article is within the scope of WikiProject American football, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of American football on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.
???This article has not yet received a rating on Wikipedia's content assessment scale.
???This article has not yet received a rating on the project's importance scale.

The history of NFL franchise moves and mergers involves several teams within the National Football League that have relocated to different cities or merged with other teams due to various reasons such as financial difficulties, stadium issues, or market considerations. This article provides a detailed overview of significant moves and mergers in the history of the NFL.

Early History[edit | edit source]

The NFL, established in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, saw numerous teams come and go in its early years. Teams were often unstable, and franchise moves were common. One of the earliest significant moves was the Decatur Staleys (now known as the Chicago Bears) relocating to Chicago in 1921.

Notable NFL Franchise Moves[edit | edit source]

Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis[edit | edit source]

In 1984, one of the most controversial moves occurred when the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis. The move was made under the cover of darkness to avoid legal issues, deeply affecting the Baltimore fan base.

Cleveland Browns to Baltimore[edit | edit source]

The Cleveland Browns' move in 1996 was another significant and controversial relocation. Owner Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore, where they became the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns were later reactivated in 1999 as a new franchise but retained the history and records of the original Browns.

St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles[edit | edit source]

The St. Louis Rams moved back to Los Angeles in 2016, having originally moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis in 1995. This return was part of a larger NFL effort to have a presence in the lucrative Los Angeles market.

San Diego Chargers to Los Angeles[edit | edit source]

Following the Rams, the San Diego Chargers also moved to Los Angeles in 2017, becoming the Los Angeles Chargers. This move ended a 56-year stint in San Diego, prompted by the failure to secure a new stadium deal.

Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas[edit | edit source]

The Oakland Raiders' move to Las Vegas in 2020 marked another significant franchise relocation. The team had previously moved from Oakland to Los Angeles in 1982, then back to Oakland in 1995, before finally settling in Las Vegas.

NFL Mergers[edit | edit source]

The most notable merger in NFL history is not a merger of teams, but of leagues. In 1970, the NFL merged with the American Football League (AFL), which led to the creation of the current conference system and the establishment of the Super Bowl as the championship game.

Impact of Moves and Mergers[edit | edit source]

Franchise moves and mergers have significant impacts on the fan bases and the cities involved. They can lead to legal battles, economic changes, and emotional responses from fans who often have deep ties to their teams.

See Also[edit | edit source]


National Football League (NFL) Stub
Wikiproject NFL logo.svg This article about the National Football League is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD