Nfl team coming to panama city?

Seems like I overheard someone saying that PC could handle an "expansion NFL team." Oh, wait, that came up after talking with the assistant to the owner of the expansion team being created in Atlanta, GA.

Without having any inside information I would say "not a chance." Remember that LA used to have two NFL teams, and now it has none.

There have been only four NFL expansion teams created since 1976, and the last two were to put new teams in markets abandoned by other NFL teams (Cleveland, Houston). LA is not getting an expansion franchise anytime soon. Top officials have said that 32 teams is more than enough -- as it is some of the talent is diluted. Also the costs to start a team are staggering.

It is possible that an indoor Arena Football League team could move to Panama City. The trouble is, the AFL canceled its 2009 season because its business model stinks. They are trying to retool it and may or may not fold. If it gets started again, I suppose a team like the Tampa Bay Storm could move to PC. The team has a fine history but is now a terrible draw because we have other things going on. However that is pure conjecture and I would think it would be more likely that the league will fold. And if you don't have a facility already in place, there is no reason to build one just for the Arena League.

Interesting rumor though. Wonder how it got started? I don't want to just reflexively blame the desperation of some realtors but ... seriously. Kind of sounds like desperation.

I love it -- Arena Football in Ebro! You could bet on each play, coin toss, etc.

To get a top tier arena football team, you need a lot bigger population base. The biggest new team in that tier in recent years was Grand Rapids, which was considered borderline small for the league, and they've got 2 million people within an hour's drive of the arena. There has been a second level of arena football called AF2, and Pensacola had a team for a few seasons before they folded. Still you need a civic center/arena that seats at least 7K for AF2 and can be set up for the right size playing surface and it would be years before PC had something like that.

As for the NFL, Panama City is not Green Bay, and there are seriously 50 cities that it would make more sense to go into before there.

My guess would be that if there was truth underneath the rumor it would be either:
a) someone looking for a training camp site at the beach (Would the Gulf Coast CC campus have the right indoor practice facility?)
or
b) someone looking to put a serious semipro team together in the area
or
c) some mangled game of telephone because the Saints' coaches and front office staff recently had a retreat in the area.

I love it -- Arena Football in Ebro! You could bet on each play, coin toss, etc.

I can see it, actually.

To get a top tier arena football team, you need a lot bigger population base. The biggest new team in that tier in recent years was Grand Rapids, which was considered borderline small for the league, and they've got 2 million people within an hour's drive of the arena. There has been a second level of arena football called AF2, and Pensacola had a team for a few seasons before they folded. Still you need a civic center/arena that seats at least 7K for AF2 and can be set up for the right size playing surface and it would be years before PC had something like that.

As for the NFL, Panama City is not Green Bay, and there are seriously 50 cities that it would make more sense to go into before there.

My guess would be that if there was truth underneath the rumor it would be either:
a) someone looking for a training camp site at the beach (Would the Gulf Coast CC campus have the right indoor practice facility?)
or
b) someone looking to put a serious semipro team together in the area
or
c) some mangled game of telephone because the Saints' coaches and front office staff recently had a retreat in the area.

At least!

I think "b" might be the most likely. Nice conjecture though. And I had forgotten all about the AF2. Are you a closet Arena fan Beachmouse?

I don't watch much football, but I think Arena Football is much more fun to watch than regular football.

I've seen a couple games here and there, and I think AFL has got a fun product to watch. Hope they make it back after the hiatus since their game is a unique niche in American sport.

I don't watch much football, but I think Arena Football is much more fun to watch than regular football.

It always gave me a headache.

I get a headache watching large grown men run at full speed the length of the football field, and collide with each other. Ouch! I like the arena football much better b/c the smaller field reminds me of playing back yard games as a kid. As a matter of fact, I'd like to watch arena football where the same players play both offense and defense until the game ends, having only a few subs for injury. That is the real football I know.

I get a headache watching large grown men run at full speed the length of the football field, and collide with each other. Ouch! I like the arena football much better b/c the smaller field reminds me of playing back yard games as a kid. As a matter of fact, I'd like to watch arena football where the same players play both offense and defense until the game ends, having only a few subs for injury. That is the real football I know.

I think you're right; I would like it more if the PA system didn't play music louder than a concert between every single play. :angry:

c) some mangled game of telephone because the Saints' coaches and front office staff recently had a retreat in the area.

I vote for C!

Or d) Desperate realtor trying to convince someone "now is a good time to buy." :roll:

I think you're right; I would like it more if the PA system didn't play music louder than a concert between every single play. :angry:

Ah, you've never been to an Atlanta Falcons game, have you? You cannot hear the person standing next to you when they pump on the music between plays.

I like going to Tampa, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Atlanta for their NFL games. It is a fair trade since they like to come here for our beaches. I agree that the rumor must have been started with all the Saint's coaches and staff being in South Walton this past week. They had a meeting and some were putting on the finishing touches to their new homes in WaterColor, etc. Maybe a training camp for one of teams would not be too far of a stretch. They could go home to their own beach homes. Now is a good time for them to buy. Good jobs, good cash flow.

There are two seasons for the NFL: NFL season and waiting for the NFL season.

I heard rumors on ESPN radio today that either Jax or Minn may be moving to LA.

As a former Miami Dolphins season ticket holder for many years there are few things more enjoyable and exciting than attending NFL games. I usually go to Jax and NOLA a few times each year, it would be great if there was anything closer to our area.

Da Bears!

Maybe the powers that be are bringing an NFL Europe franchise to Panama City to give the European property buying masses something to do between closings?

MTV Litterbugs;-)

We have had two arena football teams in Tallahassee since 2000, Thunder and Titans. Neither lasted more than a couple of years.

We had a hockey team, the Tiger Sharks, which lasted a little longer. But alas, there simply were not enough transplanted northerners here to attend the games and keep them in business.

Maybe the powers that be are bringing an NFL Europe franchise to Panama City to give the European property buying masses something to do between closings?

True, since there are going to be direct flights from new PC airport to London, Berlin and Paris when it opens.

True, since there are going to be direct flights from new PC airport to London, Berlin and Paris when it opens.

I'll believe it when I see it.

I'll believe it when I see it.

Not to rain on anyone's publicity hype, but how many airports in the US actually have direct daily flights to London, Berlin, and Paris?

I'd be happy if I could get a direct flight to Chicago or one to ATL that left on time.

True, since there are going to be direct flights from new PC airport to London, Berlin and Paris when it opens.

I think there are only three or four people on the board who really understand how airports work. Monkees will fly out of my butt before there is regularly scheduled service to any of those cities...

Not to rain on anyone's publicity hype, but how many airports in the US actually have direct daily flights to London, Berlin, and Paris?

I'd be happy if I could get a direct flight to Chicago or one to ATL that left on time.

if the new airport is not going to be having flights to new cities why are they building one since there is already one in panama city? I thought St. Joe was doing it to try and get new buyers right?

not right. they are building the new airport based on future demand, and for reasons to develop land which otherwise has little interest to investors.