Which American Cities Lack Major League Baseball or National Football League Teams?

In the vast landscape of American cities, many do not boast the prestigious clout of hosting a Major League Baseball (MLB) or National Football League (NFL) team. While some cities may have a competitive edge or fanbase that supports local teams, others simply do not attract the necessary economic or community support for such franchises. Let's explore some notable cities that are devoid of MLB or NFL teams.

Examples of Cities Without MLB or NFL Teams

One city that often comes to mind is Austin, Texas. With a population around 900,000 to 1,000,000 and ranked 11th in the U.S. for population, Austin is a prime example of a populous city that has yet to host an MLB or NFL team. Despite its size and growth, Austin remains in this exclusive club.

Other cities that can claim similar status include:

El Paso (pop. over 655,000) Louisville (pop. over 500,000) Albuquerque (pop. over 500,000) Tucson (pop. over 500,000) Fresno (pop. over 500,000)

The NFL vs. MLB/Football vs. Baseball Exemption

However, the concept of cities lacking NFL or MLB teams is more nuanced. There are cases where a city might have an NFL franchise but no MLB team. This brings us to the intriguing case of Green Bay, Wisconsin. As of April 2023, Green Bay, despite having an NFL team, the Green Bay Packers, has no other major professional sports teams, making it a unique example in this category.

Similarly, Boston, Massachusetts (home to the New England Patriots), Orchard Park, New York (home to the Buffalo Bills), and Los Angeles, California (home to the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers) also fit this profile. Inglewood, California, an area with two NFL teams, lacks any other professional sports franchises.

Cities with NBA or NHL Teams but No NFL or MLB

Some cities have professional teams in either the National Basketball Association (NBA) or the National Hockey League (NHL) but no NFL or MLB franchises. Examples include:

Brooklyn, New York Memphis, Tennessee Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Orlando, Florida Portland, Oregon Sacramento, California San Antonio, Texas Salt Lake City, Utah Columbus, Ohio San Jose, California Newark, New Jersey

While these cities have NBA or NHL teams, they remain unrepresented in the NFL and MLB. Some of these cities, like San Jose and Brooklyn, are closer to cities with NFL and MLB teams. However, the city of New York itself does not have an NFL team, with the Giants and Jets playing in New Jersey instead.

Other Cities Without Major Pro Sports Teams

There are countless other American cities that do not have any major professional sports teams. Here are a few more examples:

Austin, Texas Atlantic City, New Jersey Fort Worth, Texas Omaha, Nebraska Tulsa, Oklahoma Virginia Beach, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Honolulu, Hawaii Reno, Nevada Boise, Idaho Des Moines, Iowa Mobile, Alabama Charleston, South Carolina

These cities, for various reasons, have not managed to attract the necessary interest or investment for their residents to have a home team in the major leagues. The lack of professional sports teams in such cities can impact local economies, community engagement, and overall quality of life for residents.

In conclusion, while some American cities are known for their prominent professional sports teams, an equally significant number of cities lack such franchises. These gaps do not diminish the vibrancy or significance of these areas, but they do highlight the uneven distribution of professional sports teams across the nation.