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There have been professional Football leagues of varying levels since the invention of the sport, and over time the leagues in North America settled into an unofficial hierarchy. There is a major league designation to the [[National Football League]] ([[American football]]), the [[Canadian Football League]] ([[Canadian football]]), but contrary to the other [[Major_professional_sports_leagues_in_the_United_States_and_Canada|major sports]] in the US ([[MLB]], [[MLS]], [[NBA]] and [[NHL]]) no formal development farm system is in use,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2019/4/4/18294528/american-alliance-football-aaf-collapse-suspend-xfl|title=The AAF Failed Because All Minor League Football Does|publisher=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]|date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> after the NFL severed ties with all minor league teams in 1948,<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |title=FOOTBALL PACT ENDED; Bell Reveals That N.F.L. and American Loop Have Parted |work=New York Times |date=February 10, 1948}}</ref><ref>Surdam, David George. [https://books.google.com/books?id=TT_oBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA95&lpg=PA97&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false ''The Big Leagues Go to Washington: Congress and Sports Antitrust, 1951-1989''], p. 95. [[The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois]], 2015. {{ISBN|9780252039140}}. "At January 1948 meeting, Bell stated that, "the NFL agreement with minor league affiliates meant verry little to the NFL...he would agree to any request for cancellation of our agreement with our minor league affiliates."</ref> and again with the cancellation of [[NFL Europe]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2920635|title=NFL Europa failed to produce players, profits|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 29, 2007}}</ref>

Over the years there was an attempt to organize a development or [[farm system|farm]] leagues such as the [[Association of Professional Football Leagues]],<ref name=CC1>{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Bob|title=All for One… The Minor Leagues' "Big Three" Make History in 1946|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/11-01-363.pdf|work=The Coffin Corner|date=November 1, 1989}}</ref><ref name=CC2>{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Bob|title=Nothing minor about it: The American Association/AFL of 1936-50|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/12-02-398.pdf|work=The Coffin Corner|date=December 1, 1990}}</ref><ref>"3 Top Minor Football Leagues In Alliance to Combat 'Jumping'; Pacific Coast, American and Dixie Circuits to Ask N.F.L. to Join - Plan Protection of Clubs' Territorial Rights" - ''New York Times'', 24 March 1946</ref> and the after-mentioned '''WLAF/NFL Europe/NFL Europa''', but failed to produce profits and cancelled unceremoniously.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19638357/oral-history-10-years-nfl-europe-demise-alumni-such-kurt-warner-remember-developmental-league-fondly|title=10 years after NFL Europe's demise, alumni remember league fondly|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 23, 2017}}</ref> In the vacuum a lot of ambitious entrepreneurs have been trying to establish rival or alternative/ supplement leagues to the NFL, but beside the [[All-America Football Conference|AAFC]] and the [[American Football League|AFL]] that merge with the NFL, none of the other league succeed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4105094|title=UFL: A major challenge to stay minor|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=April 27, 2009}}</ref>, particularly because the leagues lack of ability to generate television revenue to keep the league afloat in its first years of existence.<ref name=AntitrustBill>{{cite web|title=Professional Sports Antitrust Bill (1965): Hearings Before the Subcommittee|publisher=Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1965.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CSE3AQAAIAAJ&lpg=PA174&ots=D12TynTxwq&dq=Professional%20Sports%20Antitrust%20Bill%20--%201965%3A%20Hearings%20Before%20the%20Subcommittee&hl=iw&pg=PA197#v=onepage&q&f=false|date=February 24, 1965}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/sports/to-avoid-aafs-fate-xfl-must-have-a-better-tv-deal|title=To Avoid AAF's Fate, XFL Must Have a Better TV Deal}}</ref>

In modern times, the NFL has developed players not ready for the active roster through each team's [[practice squad]], or relied on [[college football]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-needs-a-developmental-league-and-rebooting-the-xfl-is-the-perfect-fit-to-improve-league-diversity-depth/|title=NFL needs a developmental league and rebooting the XFL is the perfect fit to improve league diversity, depth|website=CBSSports.com}}</ref><ref name="AP">{{cite news|last1=Russo|first1=Ralph D.|title=NFL at 100: How college football became the pipeline to NFL|url=https://apnews.com/e40867dc6f84410283ef08bc6b6a9fa3|accessdate=August 10, 2019|work=AP|date=August 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/23/the-real-reason-college-football-players-dont-get-paid.html|title=The real reason college football players don’t get paid|publisher=[[CNBC]]|date=August 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1641528-where-does-nfl-talent-come-from|title=Where Does NFL Talent Come From?|first=Scott|last=Kacsmar|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> and separate entities like the now-defunct [[Arena Football League]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9pxADwAAQBAJ&pg=PT413&lpg=PT413&dq=Arena+Football+League+as+a+feeder+organization&source=bl&ots=3Rso0K8wK9&sig=ACfU3U3h-O758Z5sJTY6XjRtBlEuuVOicg&hl=iw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjy5O-z7uXpAhUJnOAKHQBxC94Q6AEwGnoECAsQAQ#v=onepage&q=Arena+Football+League+as+a+feeder+organization&f=false|title=Sports Capitalism: The Foreign Business of American Professional Leagues|first=Frank P.|last=Jozsa|date=November 28, 2017|publisher=Routledge|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref name=AFL1>{{cite news|last1=Chiari|first1=Mike|title=Arena Football League Files for Bankruptcy, Will Cease Operations|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2864535-arena-football-league-files-for-bankruptcy-will-cease-operations|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=November 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/garyphillips/2019/11/28/arena-football-league-closes-shop-after-30-plus-years/|title=Arena Football League Closes Shop After 30-Plus Years|first=Gary|last=Phillips|website=Forbes}}</ref> as their feeder organizations. In the last decade, three fledgling pro football leagues - [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/253743-is-the-ufl-the-mirror-of-erised-for-frustrated-pro-football-fans|title=Is The UFL "The Mirror Of Erised" For Frustrated Pro Football Fans?|first=Tobi|last=Writes|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref>, [[FXFL]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clayton|first1=John|title=Spring league kicking off 4-team, 3-week development plan in April|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/spring-league-kicking-off-team-week-development-plan/story?id=44357003|accessdate=August 30, 2017|work=ABC News|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name=espn2>{{cite news|last1=Seifert|first1=Kevin|title=Inside slant: FXFL set to debut, ready or not|url=http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/143981/inside-slant-fxfl-set-to-debut-ready-or-not|accessdate=October 8, 2014|work=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|date=October 8, 2014}}</ref> and [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/aaf-cofounder-bill-polian-suggests-startup-could-be-legitimate-minor-league-for-nfl-061643552.html|title=AAF co-founder Bill Polian suggests startup could be legitimate minor league for NFL|website=sports.yahoo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/04/03/aaf-executives-thought-there-was-a-2-3-year-plan-to-be-an-nfl-minor-league/|title=AAF executives thought there was a 2-3 year plan to be an NFL minor league|first=Michael David|last=Smith|date=April 3, 2019}}</ref> - had hoped to create a relationship with the NFL as some sort of a developmental minor league, but were never able to really gain traction before folding.

==History==
===Early circuits (1890–1919)===
While the practice of professional and semi-pro teams playing college and amateur teams was common in the 1890s, in the 20th century, college and professional football began to diverge and college-professional interplay effectively ended after the NCAA formed in 1906. During this time, the most prominent circuit was the [[Western Pennsylvania Professional Football Circuit]], and most winning teams claimed [[Professional American football championship games|national "professional" football title]].<ref name=CCPC>{{cite news|last1=Carroll|first1=Bob|title=The Birth of Pro Football|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/11-An-388.pdf|work=Professional Football Researchers Association|date=1989}}</ref>

The first attempt to form a pro league was the [[National Football League (1902)|National Football League of 1902]], but despite the name was actually regional league that was only composed of teams from [[Pennsylvania]] (two of the teams were based in [[Philadelphia]], while the third was based in [[Pittsburgh]]). The next step came when promoter [[Tom O'Rourke (promoter)|Tom O'Rourke]] established the [[World Series of Football (1902–03)]]. The series (and not a "league") played indoors at [[New York City|New York City's]] [[Madison Square Garden (1890)|Madison Square Garden]] and consisted of five teams, three from the state of [[New York (state)|New York]], one from [[New Jersey]], and another team called "New York", but comprising two Philadelphia teams - the [[Philadelphia Phillies (NFL)|Athletics]] and the [[Philadelphia Phillies (NFL)|Phillies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.comcast.net/~ghostsofthegridiron/Phillies-Athletics.htm|title=Phillies vs. Athletics, NFL of 1902|accessdate=August 8, 2012|publisher=Ghosts of the Gridiron}}</ref> The 1903 series also featured the [[Franklin Athletic Club]] from Pennsylvania.

At the same time, teams from [[Ohio]] – namely the [[Massillon Tigers]], the [[Columbus Panhandles]] and the [[Canton Bulldogs]] – start attracting much of the top professional football talent in America: [[Harry McChesney]], [[Bob Shiring]], the [[Nesser brothers]], [[Blondy Wallace]], [[Cub Buck]] and later even [[Jim Thorpe]], and gave rise to the [[Ohio League]]. The "league" was actually a circuit – informal and loose association of independent teams playing other local teams and competed for the ''"Ohio Independent Championship"''. The group pioneered the concept of playing games on Sundays to avoid competition with college football games, as it was illegal in other states (due to the existing [[blue laws]]), which eventually became the professional standard. 

The '''Ohio League''' decade-long monopoly began to lose hold in the 1910s, with the formation of the [[New York Pro Football League|New York Pro Football League (NYPFL)]] (the first league to use a playoff format) and other associations in the Midwest (particularly in [[Illinois]]). The rise in level of play resulted in [[Barnstorm (sports)|barnstorming]] tours between the circuits, which laid the foundations for the first truly national league – The [[NFL|American Professional Football Association]] in 1920.

===The Golden Era===
The first minor leagues period of prosperity or "the heyday"<ref name="CC1"/> started in the 1920s and lasted until the end of [[World War II]]. By the '30s, ''Football'' was not a fledgling enterprise, but was certainty one when we talk about ''Pro-Football'', as even the [[National Football League]] had trouble attracting fans, and was located mostly in the northeastern quarter of the United States. In the vacuum, several regional leagues tried their luck in the pro game, along with flourishing regional circuits of independent teams, recapturing the pro football roots. The era is also considered the best of all time, because the quality of play, as there was only 250 players in the NFL, while the regional leagues could sometimes offer better pay and jobs, and offered black players opportunity to play during the period when blacks were excluded from all NFL teams (1933–1946).<ref>Bob Gill, with Tod Maher. ''Outsiders: Minor League And Independent Football, 1923-1950'', p. vii. St. Johann Press, 2006. {{ISBN|187828245X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/11-05-384.pdf|title=Not Only the Ball Was Brown}}</ref>

In 1934 the [[American Football League (1934)|American Football League]] was the first true attempt to establish pro football in the American South and Southwest regions. The league was formed by the strongest independent teams in the region, including the [[Memphis Tigers (AFL)|Memphis Tigers]], who claimed the '''"[[Professional American football championship games|national pro championship]]"''' in 1929, after beating the NFL champions the [[Green Bay Packers]]. The AFL had only one season of competition and folded after only the Memphis Tigers and the Charlotte Bantams completing their respected seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/04-An-122.pdf|title=Pro Football Spreads South}}</ref>

Another strong "South" league was the [[Dixie League (American football)|Dixie League]], that represented [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid Atlantic]] teams. The league was one of the most successful minor leagues in history, playing eight seasons in 11 years, while claiming they're the "highest level minor football league" in the era. Unlike most pro-football minor leagues, the Dixie League had a relative stability in membership until the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Pearl Harbor attack]] forced the league into hiatus. The league returned in 1946, but wasn't the same, and folded altogether in 1947, after playing only one week.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/10-An-356.pdf|title=A History of the Dixie League}}</ref>

The Dixie League's biggest rival was the [[American Association (American football)|American Association]] football league. The AA was formed by the nucleus of independent teams that played in the [[New York (state)|New York]]–[[New Jersey]] circuits, and was led by the president [[Joe Rosentover]]. The league teams sought relationships with the NFL, and several teams functioned as a farm system for the major NFL teams, like the Newark Bears, Brooklyn Eagles and the Jersey City Giants. The league allowed black players to participate, including the last African-American in the NFL [[Joe Lillard]] (Clifton Wessingtons) and most teams scheduled games against the independent [[Fritz Pollard]]'s [[Harlem Brown Bombers]]. The league closed operations during World War II, and after a four-year hiatus, the AA was renamed the '''American Football League''' and expanded to include teams in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The league demise is attribute to the fact the NFL severed ties with all minor league teams in 1948.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/12-02-398.pdf|title=Nothing minor about it}}</ref>

The last of the "Big Three Leagues"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/11-01-363.pdf|title=The Minor Leagues' "Big Three" Make History in 1946}}</ref> was the [[Pacific Coast Professional Football League]] which started in 1940. The roots of pro-football in the west are attribute to the [[Red Grange]] [[Barnstorm (sports)|barnstorming]] tour with the [[Chicago Bears]] in 1926, as some leagues were formed – [[Pacific Coast League]] (1926) and [[American Legion League]] (1934–1935) – but did not lasted long. The PCPFL was formed behind the financial backbone of the sport in [[California]] – the [[Los Angeles Bulldogs]] – the "best football team in existence outside the NFL",<ref>Bob Gill, with Tod Maher. ''Outsiders: Minor League And Independent Football, 1923-1950'', p. 50. St. Johann Press, 2006. {{ISBN|187828245X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/06-An-205.pdf|title=The Bulldogs: L.A. Hits the Big Time}}</ref> and were the only prominent minor football league that operate during the war years. The league became home to the top African American football talents in the country, including [[Kenny Washington (American football)|Kenny Washington]], [[Woody Strode]], [[Ozzie Simmons]], [[Mel Reid]] and briefly even [[Jackie Robinson]] during the NFL enforced color barrier. The league played its last season in 1948, two years after the NFL moved the [[Los Angeles Rams|Rams]] to [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/04-07-104.pdf|title=PCPFL: 1940-45}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/05-04-135.pdf|title=The End of the PCPFL}}</ref>

The "Big Three" reached an agreement with the NFL, and in 1946 formed the [[Association of Professional Football Leagues]] for a formal farm system with the league. The agreement lasted less than two years, after the NFL cancelled it altogether in 1948.<ref name="auto1"/> The termination triggered the end of the era.

Other prominent leagues were the [[Anthracite League]] ([[Pennsylvania]]), [[Eastern League of Professional Football]] (Pennsylvania and [[New Jersey]]), [[Ohio Valley League]], [[Midwest Football League (1935–1940)|Midwest Football League]] and the [[Northwest War Industries League]] ([[Washington (state)|Washington]] and [[Oregon]]). During the '30s and '40s there was also a strong independent circuits in Greater [[New York metropolitan area]] and in the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/11-01-362.pdf|title=Other Minor Leagues}}</ref>

===The second wave===
The minor leagues experienced renaissance in the 60's and 70's, as their growing relevance occurred concurrently with the [[AFL–NFL merger|AFL and NFL rivalry]].<ref name="AntitrustBill"/> Several prominent leagues operated during that period and were mostly regional: The [[United Football League (1961–1964)|original United Football League (UFL I)]] lasted from 1961 to 1964 and was concentrated in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]], although we remember it as the first football league to operate teams in both the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], as the [[Quebec Rifles]] played in the league in 1964.

In 1962 it was quickly joined by the [[Atlantic Coast Football League|Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL)]] from the [[Northeastern United States|Northeast]], which was run by [[Joe Rosentover]] as the previous [[American Association (American football)|American Association (AA)]] of the 1930s. When the UFL folded, and the [[Newark Bears (ACFL)|Newark Bears]] of the ACFL unsuccessfully applied to join the AFL, two new national leagues formed. The first was the [[North American Football League (1965-1966)|North American Football League (NAFL)]],<ref name="AntitrustBill"/> which ran from 1965 to 1966, and tried to establish Major league affiliations with either the NFL or the AFL. The second – the [[Continental Football League|Continental Football League (CoFL)]], which ran from 1965 to 1971 – was probably the biggest in the era,  and attracted the ACFL three best teams: [[Hartford Charter Oaks]], Newark Bears and [[Springfield Acorns]] (as the [[Norfolk Neptunes]]). 

The other leagues were the [[Professional Football League of America|Professional Football League of America (PFLA)]] which lasted three years (1965–1967) and played in the Midwest (essentially substituted the UFL), and the [[Texas Football League|Texas Football League (TFL)]], which operated in the [[southern United States]]. However, in 1969 the CoFL announced that the entirety of the eight-team TFL was added to its ranks as a separate division, and were mostly scheduled to play against each other with few inter-league contests.<ref>{{cite news|title=TFL Aligns With Huge Continental|work=The Odessa American|agency=Associated Press|date=January 26, 1969}}</ref>.

The two bigger leagues, the CoFL and ACFL had different strategies: the CoFL had "independent" aspirations, while the ACFL was happy as a developmental league and (like previous leagues run by the Rosentover) allowed its teams to become farm teams to the AFL and NFL teams.<ref name="AntitrustBill"/>

Over their existence, the CoFL arguably had better talent, that went on to [[NFL]] and [[Canadian Football League|CFL]] stardom ([[Ken Stabler]], [[Don Jonas]], and [[Sam Wyche]]), but folded after 1971 (as a incarnation called the '''Trans-American Football League'''), and plans to take on the [[Canadian Football League]] head-to-head were abandoned. Although the revival as the [[Texas Football League#1970|TAFL]] was largely a failure, the league foreshadowed the future of minor football from now on, as it played its season at the spring to avoid direct competition against other football in the fall.<ref>[https://www.si.com/vault/issue/43076/69 "This Spring Isn't Very Green"], by Tex Maule, ''Sports Illustrated'', May 10, 1971, pp. 65–67 </ref> 

The ACFL also produced some significant talent (e.g. [[Pro Bowl|Pro Bowler]] [[Marvin Hubbard]], the first female professional football player, placeholder [[Patricia Palinkas]] and cult figure [[King Corcoran]]) and even lasted longer. The league operated continuously through 1971, with a return season in 1973, which played mostly by promoted teams from the lower-level [[Seaboard Football League]] (which in turn, brought up a semi-pro teams to supplement them).<ref name="Gill">Bob Gill, with Steve Brainerd and Tod Maher, ''Minor League Football, 1960-85'' (McFarland and Co., 2002), pp. 84, 99–100</ref> However, the attempted major [[World Football League|World Football League (WFL)]] sapped both leagues from most of their talent, and forced them to fold by 1974. 

During it existence, The Seaboard Football League hovered between a minor league and semi-pro, as some of its players never got paid (most notable was [[Joe Klecko]]<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-To0AAAAIBAJ&sjid=i-sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=845,1551812&dq=joe+klecko+seaboard&hl=en "Joe Klecko Works for the Jets"], ''The Miami News'', November 22, 1978, p3C</ref>) and other got only $50 per game. Despite that, the league had some notable alumni including: [[Vince Papale]], [[Jack Dolbin]] and Klecko. Additionally, the league's claim to fame is that it is the last minor league to play an inter-league exhibition match against an NFL team, when the [[New York Jets]] rookies defeated [[Long Island Chiefs]] 29–3.<ref name="Gill"/>

The last minor league attempt in the '70s – the [[American Football Association (1978–1983)|American Football Association (AFA)]], that operated from 1978 to 1983 – was less successful, especially because it struggled to acquire recognizable players and consequentially failed to secure a TV deal.<ref name="kilmerquits">{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LbVPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=4gUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6686,4337542&dq=american-football-association&hl=en|title=Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref> The AFA followed the model set by the TAFL, and played "off-season" schedule during the summer (May to August).<ref name="leagueforms">{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nC4dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=950EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4112,3544707&dq=american-football-association&hl=en|title=The Tuscaloosa News - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com}}</ref> The formation of the [[USFL]] led to a decline in AFA talent, move to a semi-pro status, and a cancellation of the league entirely after the 1983 season.

The development of [[arena football]] and the birth of the [[Arena Football League]] in 1987 has effectively ended the era, and reduced most outdoor leagues to amateur or semi-pro status.

===NFL Europe===
After the turmoil in the '80s, the NFL decided to form its own league in 1991 – the [[World League of American Football]] – a spring developmental league. For the first time, an American sport league had a [[Europe|European]] division as part of its 10 team league,<ref name=Dufresne91>{{cite news|last=Dufresne|first=Chris|title=Europe Takes to WLAF, but Will It Catch on Here?|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-21/sports/sp-2214_1_wlaf-owners|accessdate=26 May 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=21 May 1991}}</ref> while the other teams were located in [[Contiguous United States|continental US]] and [[Canada]]. The league was used to test rule changes and technical innovations<ref name=Stellino91>{{cite news|last=Stellino|first=Vito|title=WLAF attendance surpassing early hopes in Europe and Canada|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-04-07/sports/1991097095_1_soccer-games-lynn-games-in-spain|accessdate=26 May 2014|newspaper=Baltimore Sun|date=7 April 1991}}</ref> and supposed to use as a "farm system" for the NFL teams. However, the first two seasons produced low [[Nielsen ratings|TV ratings]],<ref name=Dufresne91p2>{{cite news|last=Dufresne|first=Chris|title=Europe Takes to WLAF, but Will It Catch on Here? [Page 2]|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-21/sports/sp-2214_1_wlaf-owners/2|accessdate=26 May 2014|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=21 May 1991}}</ref> and was put on hiatus until 1995. When it came back, the league was based entirely in Europe, was reduced to six teams and re-branded as '''NFL Europe'''. 

From then until 2007, the league kept the same format, when the NFL decided to cancel it altogether.<ref name="NFLEcease">{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10240829|title=NFL Europa to cease operations|publisher=NFL.com|date=29 June 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703064828/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10240829|archivedate=3 July 2007|accessdate=2007-06-29|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ultimately, the was the longest tenured minor league in history, having lasted for 15 cumulative years, and producing players like the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|hall of famer]] [[Kurt Warner]] and [[Superbowl]] quarterbacks [[Brad Johnson (American football)|Brad Johnson]] and [[Jake Delhomme]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19706757/ranking-quarterbacks-benefited-nfl-europe-kurt-warner-brad-johnson-jon-kitna-jake-delhomme|title=Ranking QBs who benefited from NFL Europe|date=June 23, 2017|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Other notable players include: [[Dante Hall]], [[David Akers]], [[James Harrison (American football)|James Harrison]], [[Adam Vinatieri]] and [[William Perry (American football)|William Perry]].

===Modern era===
In the late '90s and early 2000s began a wave of new "outside" entrepreneurs that wanted to dip their toes in the evergrowing football market, corresponding with the [[dot-com boom]]. 

The first league was the [[Regional Football League]] that played one season in 1999, and had aspirations to be considered a high-level minor league, as they self-styled themselves as the "Major league of spring football". The league was proposed to begin in 1998, but financial difficulties delayed it by a year, and change the business plans, as it was now a lower-budget league and featured only six teams from mid-size cities that was mostly located at the Southern United States. The league did not prosper, as it failed to secure a television contract, and beside the [[Mobile Admirals|Mobile, Alabama]] team, failed miserably at the gate, was forced to play eight-week shortened season and folded altogether at the end. Although in the end the league was unsuccessful, it suggested an interesting wrinkle that future leagues will use, as the players were assigned to teams base of the region where they played in college (hence the league name). 

Parallel to the RFL, there were two more separate attempts to start up new leagues. The first, the [[International Football Federation]] flopped so miserably it is remembered as the shortest existing league ("one press conference"). The second, the [[Spring Football League]], was founded by several ex-NFL players ([[Bo Jackson]], [[Drew Pearson (American football)|Drew Pearson]], [[Eric Dickerson]] and [[Tony Dorsett]]) but failed to attract big investors because of the tech-market crash of 2000, and was cancelled after only two weeks.

The next attempt was probably the biggest since the emergence of the AFL in 1960, as [[NBC]] and the [[WWE]] collaborate to form the (original) [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] in 2001. Although 14 million viewers who tuned in for the first game, the [[Nielsen ratings]] was later plummeted because of mediocre football, and triggered NBC to pulled out of its broadcast contract, and the league folded after one season. The league featured several changes in rules and broadcast, and remembered as the one the gave birth to the "[[Skycam]]" in sport broadcasting.

From that point on the startup leagues had trouble to attract investors, as there was no [[proof of concept]] to a feasible minor league football. During the era five high profile attempts – [[All American Football League]] and [[United National Gridiron League]] in 2007, [[New United States Football League]] with two separate attempts in 2010 and 2014, and the [[A-11 Football League]] (2014) – never materialize and made it even harder for other future leagues. 

The new modern day [[United Football League (2009–2012)|United Football League]] was the most prominent league in the era, playing 3½ seasons before folding. The UFL was fairly successful, attracting big crowds in [[Omaha]], [[Sacramento]] and [[Hartford]] and had plans of expending, while all league games aired on [[Versus (TV channel)|Versus]] and [[HDnet]] (every game was also [[webcast]]), and functioned as a single entity league following the [[Major League Soccer]] model. The UFL featured former NFL players and was the first professional fall league other than the [[National Football League]] to play in the United States since the mid-1970s. Alas, the league collapsed mid-2012 season, failing to pay the bills after most investors stepped out. The league will be remembered in football lore as the one giving [[Marty Schottenheimer]] his only championship as a coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/united-football-league/story/_/id/7133522/virginia-destroyers-ufl-give-marty-schottenheimer-first-pro-title|title=Schottenheimer helps Destroyers earn UFL title|date=October 22, 2011|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

The [[Fall Experimental Football League]] (FXFL) was the first league that openly embraced the minor league concept, and wanted to become a professional feeder-system for the NFL. The league owner, Brian Woods, wanted his franchises to be primarily based in minor league baseball stadiums, and use the infra-structure in place to attract fans. The FXFL attracted the final NFL roster cuts, for the purpose of keeping them "in football shape, physically and mentally".<ref name=ECL>{{cite news|last1=Grossi |first1=Tony |title=Coming soon: A professional developmental football league that just may succeed |url=http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=33201 |accessdate=October 20, 2014 |work=ESPNCleveland.com |publisher=ESPN |date=May 23, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010171413/http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=33201 |archivedate=October 10, 2014 }}</ref> The league was cancelled after two abbreviated seasons, and was reformatted as the developmental "[[The Spring League]]".

Other leagues in the era were the low-level [[World Football League (2008–2010)|New World Football League]] (2008–2010) and the [[Stars Football League]] (2011–2013), as they both survived three season but folded unceremoniously.

In 2018, several strong figures, with connections to the original XFL, entered to the spring-football market with rival leagues. The first was the [[Alliance of American Football]] (AAF) that was founded by [[Charlie Ebersol]] and [[Bill Polian]], and began playing in 2019, but ceased operations eight weeks in, as the controlling owner [[Thomas Dundon]] decided to pull the plug. The second was the relaunched version of the [[XFL (2020)|XFL]], as [[Vince McMahon]] hired [[Oliver Luck]] as commissioner. The league first began play in 2020, with higher success and reception and had aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]/[[ESPN]] and [[Fox Sports]]. After 5 weeks of play, the XFL announced that its season would end, because of growing [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic concerns]]. The league is currently on hiatus, after it filed for bankruptcy and put up for sale by McMahon.

{{Quote box
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 | source = Nick Schwartz, ''The XFL is gone but not forgotten'', [[USA Today]], April 14, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ftw/2020/04/14/what-nfl-can-learn-xfl/2988141001/|title=The XFL is gone but not forgotten|first=Nick|last=Schwartz|website=USA TODAY}}</ref>
 | width  = 800px
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Since 1998, there have been more than 20 football leagues ([[Gridiron football|traditional]] or [[Indoor American football|Indoor]]) who played an average of 3½ years before folding or merging with others, some never opened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/2019/04/02/indiana-firebirds-wont-evansvilles-new-pro-sports-team-after-all/3342986002/|title=Indiana Firebirds won't be Evansville's new pro sports team after all|first=Chad|last=Lindskog|website=Evansville Courier & Press}}</ref> There are three active minor leagues in the US. Two low-level leagues: the [[Gridiron Developmental Football League]] and the [[Rivals Professional Football League]], and one developmental league - The Spring League. Two more leagues are in hiatus: the high-level [[XFL (2020)|XFL]] and the developmental [[Your Call Football]].

==System and structure==
Over time there was attempts to start a rival major leagues, as the last one was the [[USFL]], but most leagues that followed were high-level minor leagues such as the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]], the [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]] and the [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]. Whether it was "Major" or "Minor", most football leagues were looking to establish teams in untapped potential U.S. big markets.<ref>Richard Giulianotti. ''Routledge Handbook of the Sociology of Sport'', p. 135 Routledge, 2015. {{ISBN|0415829739}}</ref> The most common were [[Sports_in_Orlando,_Florida#American_football|Orlando, Florida]]; [[Sports_in_Memphis,_Tennessee#Football|Memphis, Tennessee]]; [[Sports_in_Birmingham,_Alabama#Defunct_teams|Birmingham, Alabama]]; [[Sports_in_San_Antonio#Football_-_Outdoor|San Antonio, Texas]]; [[Sports_in_Portland,_Oregon#Football|Portland, Oregon]]; and [[Sports_in_Sacramento,_California#Former_pro_teams|Sacramento, California]].

Most of the minor leagues were separated through the years to three [[de-facto]] categories:<ref name=CCminor>{{cite news|last1=Gill|first1=Bob|title=Other Minor Leagues|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/11-01-362.pdf|work=The Coffin Corner|date=November 1, 1989}}</ref> high-level (for example: [[PCPFL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/04-07-104.pdf|title=THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 4, No. 7 (1982)|publisher=[[Professional Football Researchers Association]]|date=1982}}</ref> or the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/01/sports/football-xfl-a-reality-series-with-sports-thrown-in.html|title=FOOTBALL; XFL, a Reality Series With Sports Thrown In|publisher=[[The New York Times]]|date=February 1, 2001}}</ref> and the [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/24076702/alliance-american-football-players-get-3-year-250k-contracts|title=Players in new league to get 3-year, $250K contracts|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=July 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/26957796/inside-short-unhappy-life-alliance-american-football|title=Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=June 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/05/01/alliance-american-football-aaf-collapse-charlie-ebersol-tom-dundon|title=The Curious Rise and Spectacular Crash of the Alliance of American Football|publisher=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=May 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/03/alliance-of-american-football-aaf-suspends-operations-nfl-football|title=The quick, messy death of the AAF, Silicon Valley's complement to the NFL|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 3, 2019}}</ref>), low-level ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|American Football Association]] or [[Spring Football League]]) and semi-professional leagues. Today there are two more levels: mid-level ([[FXFL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/136649/inside-slant-developmental-league-emerges|title=Inside Slant: Developmental league on tap|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=August 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2014/09/29/People-and-Pop-Culture/Plugged-In.aspx|title=Plugged In: Brian Woods, FXFL|publisher=Sports Business Daily|date=September 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fxfl-brings-pro-football-back-to-brooklyn-1412733327|title=FXFL Brings Pro Football Back to Brooklyn|publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> or the future [[American Patriot League|APL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/20181009/daytona-getting-team-in-new-pro-football-league|title=Daytona getting team in new pro football league|publisher=[[The Daytona Beach News-Journal]]|date=October 9, 2018}}</ref>) and developmental leagues<ref name="si">{{cite news |last1=Earlywine |first1=Aaron |title=A closer look at football developmental leagues |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/09/developmental-football-leagues-pacific-pro |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |work=SI.com |publisher=Time, Inc. |date=February 9, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> ([[The Spring League]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19304002/is-spring-league-nfl-springboard-least-shot|title=Is Spring League an NFL springboard? It's at least a shot|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2707260-in-the-shadow-of-dak-prescott-welcome-to-the-nfls-league-of-last-chances|title=In the Shadow of Dak Prescott: Welcome to the NFL's League of Last Chances|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=May 10, 2017}}</ref> [[Your Call Football]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite press release |title=Your Call Football Develops Pro Talent For NFL & CFL |date=June 5, 2018 |url=https://www.apnews.com/b12b1a84f4414bdcbf9cc51b4cb5103a |agency=[[Associated Press]] / [[BusinessWire]]}}</ref> and the future [[Pacific Pro Football|Pac Pro]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/don-yee-tom-bradys-agent-aims-to-stock-his-upstart-football-league-with-stars-too-young-for-the-nfl/|title=Don Yee, Tom Brady's agent, aims to stock his upstart football league with stars too young for the NFL|publisher=[[CBS]]|date=February 13, 2019}}</ref>).

The categories are usually determined by the following rules: the high-level leagues salary is above [[Median income|median]] [[Personal income in the United States|US wage]], the mid-level pays around the median wage and the low-level pays around or below the [[Minimum wage in the United States|US minimum wage]]. The developmental leagues don't pay salaries or construct with a non-NFL eligible players, and designed to showcase the players' skills for future opportunities.

===Indoor/arena football===
The [[Indoor American football|Indoor variation]] of football also has an unofficial minor-leagues hierarchy, although no league holds a "Major" designation, after the [[Arena Football League|AFL]] folded.<ref name="AFL1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/11/27/arena-football-league-declares-bankruptcy-shuts-down/4322126002/|title=Arena Football League files for bankruptcy, ceases all operations|first=Scott|last=Gleeson|website=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/extra/afl/news/story?id=3142222|title=Swann: A league of their own|date=December 5, 2007|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> The categories are more fluid, but usually determined by salaries and arena size: 
* '''High-level''' - [[Indoor Football League]],<ref name="AL">{{cite news|last1=Zimmer|first1=Matt|title=Sioux Falls Storm leaving IFL for Champions Indoor Football|url=https://www.argusleader.com/story/sports/minor-league/storm/2017/08/30/sioux-falls-storm-leaving-ifl-champions-indoor-football/617207001/|work=[[Argus Leader]]|date=August 30, 2017}}</ref> [[National Arena League]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressherald.com/2018/04/01/as-arena-football-struggles-to-keep-its-franchises-portland-hopes-to-be-the-hail-mary/|title=As arena football struggles to keep franchises, Portland hopes to be Hail Mary|publisher=[[Portland Press Herald]]|date=April 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-hs-orlando-predators-0117-story.html|title=Kenny McEntyre revives Orlando Predators in National Arena League|publisher=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=January 16, 2019}}</ref>
* '''Mid-level''' - [[Champions Indoor Football]]<ref name="AL"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/at-75-a-game-indoor-football-isnt-about-the-money-052915|title=At $75 a game, indoor football isn’t about the money|publisher=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]|date=May 29, 2015}}</ref>
* '''Low-level''' - [[American Arena League]], [[American West Football Conference]]

===Semi-pro football===
The semi-pro leagues hold a strong place in American football history, but were far more common in the early and mid-20th century than they are today. Football is especially suited for semi-pro play, and most leagues often operate at a semi-professional level due to cost concerns. Contrary to other sports, team rosters are huge – 36+ players on a team, and as many as 14 coaches – so, with the salary and the logistics of getting the team to the games, there is a lot of overhead. Furthermore, because they play only one game per week, the players are able to pursue outside employment. 

Over the years, semi-pro leagues attracted college players on the fringe of playing in the NFL who needed to stay in shape, and were effectively a farm system for the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/Minors_to_the_NFL.pdf|title=NFL with minor league football experience}}</ref><ref name="MFLS-NYT"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/Starting-at-the-Bottom.pdf|title=Starting at the Bottom}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2010/08/07/Keeping-Pittsburgh-Colts-afloat-no-minor-job/stories/201008070209|title=Keeping Pittsburgh Colts afloat no minor job|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/71252/becoming-pro|title=Becoming a Pro|first=James|last=Cramer|date=November 12, 1977|via=The New Republic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/regional-combine-gives-three-nfl-long-shots-their-big-chance-0ap2000000324572?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook|title=Regional combine gives three NFL long shots their big chance|website=www.nfl.com}}</ref> The most notable players are [[Johnny Unitas]] who played quarterback, safety and punter on a team called the ''[[Bloomfield_(Pittsburgh)#Sport|Bloomfield Rams]]'' for $6 a game before joining the [[Baltimore Colts]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com/2016/04/johnny-unitas-week-pittsburgh-steelers.html|title=Pro Football Journal: Johnny Unitas Week: Pittsburgh Steelers and Bloomfield Rams (1955)|date=May 3, 2016}}</ref> and [[Eric Swann]] who was the first (and so far the only) player to be drafted in the [[NFL draft]] first round from a semi pro organization (''Bay State Titans''). Another player is [[Ray Seals]], who did not play college football but made his way to the NFL through the semi-pro rank (''Syracuse Express'').

The semi-pro leagues role in history is best portrayed in the [[1987 NFL season|1987]] 24-day [[National Football League Players Association#Gene Upshaw era (1983–2008)|NFLPA Strike]], when semi-pro players were called as a [[replacement player|replacements]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/b138e33d943a53fc64cc0bcd23bb8a9e|title=A Look At the Semi-Pro Leagues Providing the Strike Players|website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/coffin-corner00's/CC-29-5.pdf|title=REPLACEMENT LEGENDS OF THE FALL}}</ref> after the third week of the NFL season was cancelled. Their stories are documented in the 2017 [[ESPN]] film ''[[30_for_30#Volume_III|Year of the Scab]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballoutsiders.com/walkthrough/2007/year-scab|title=Year of the Scab &#124; Football Outsiders|website=www.footballoutsiders.com}}</ref> The semi-pro demise in football lore is attributed to the flourishing of [[college football]] in the '80s,<ref name="AP"/> and the subsequently rise in the never-ending talent pool for the NFL to draw from.

The [[Watertown Red & Black]], a semi-professional team that currently plays in the [[Empire Football League]], is the oldest existing football club, tracing its history to 1896.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4b4mc5343IAC&pg=PT30&lpg=PT30&dq=Watertown+Red+%26+Black++oldest+existing+football+club|title=Dream Season: A Professor Joins America's Oldest Semi-Pro Football Team}}</ref>

====Minor League Football System====

After the decline of the minor leagues in the 1980s, the semi-pro circuit tried to fill that niche. In the summer of 1989 the [[Minor League Football System]] (MLFS) was formed, as an attempt to develop a nationwide semi-pro football league.<ref name=MFLS-NYT>{{cite news|last1=Ravo|first1=Nick|title=Football's Minors Try To Survive First Year|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/27/sports/football-s-minors-try-to-survive-first-year.html/|date=September 29, 1989}}</ref><ref name=MFLS-ss>{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Craig|title=WHAT'S MLFS? A MINOR LEAGUE OF MAJOR DREAMS|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1989-08-13-8902250826-story.html|date=August 13, 1989}}</ref><ref name=MFLS-WP>{{cite news|last1=Most|first1=Doug|title=MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL SET STORM BASED IN FAIRFAX|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/06/23/minor-league-football-set-storm-based-in-fairfax/2b757c8f-e74b-4fd7-b198-135eab783735/|date=June 23, 1989}}</ref> The circuit had aspiration to become a feeder system for the NFL<ref name="MFLS-WP"/> and featured 11 teams, in the same amount of states (CA, CO, FL, GA, MA, MO, NC, OK, PA, VA and WA). Because the "league" did not pay salaries but wanted to attract good local talent, it was established as a [[Employment agency|temp agency]], and offered jobs for players in local communities as well as providing housing solutions during the season.<ref name="MFLS-WP"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/2307581/minor-league-football/|title=Minor League Football|date=February 18, 1990|website=Oklahoman.com}}</ref> Despite that, they managed to attract decent talent, including ex-NFL players ([[Rusty Hilger]] and [[Ben Rudolph]]) and coaches ([[Walt Michaels]], [[Darryl Rogers]] and [[Lou Saban]]).<ref name="Saban leaves Heat Wave">{{cite news|title=Lou Saban Leaves Macon's Heat Wave|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nIpEAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ebUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3902,1051072&dq=lou-saban&hl=en|accessdate=August 11, 2012|newspaper=The Albany Herald|date=August 8, 1990|agency=Associated Press|location=Macon, Ga.|page=4D}}</ref> After successful first season, the league attracted strong sponsors in [[Wilson Sporting Goods|Wilson]] and [[Gatorade]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gnfafootball.org/MLFS.htm|title=Minor League Football System (1989-1990)|website=www.gnfafootball.org}}</ref> but two teams folded midway through the second year, while the others stumbled to the finish line and folded altogether in the months that followed, as they were unable to establish a working agreement with the NFL. The league’s commissioner was [[Roger Wehrli]].<ref name="MFLS-ss"/> 

====Modern circuit====

Today, most leagues and independent teams are sanctioned by the [https://www.americanfootballassn.com/ '''American Football Association'''] (unrelated to the former [[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]), which acts as an organizer of games and playoff tournaments for teams throughout the US, and maintaining a [https://www.americanfootballassn.com/hall-of-fame.html Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/16-01-552.pdf|title=AFA Hall of Fame: The First Thirteen Years}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanfootballassn.com/forms/AFA-SPFHOF.pdf|title=Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame: The First 100 (or so) Members, 1981-1989}}</ref> Another organization is the [https://allamericanbowl.com/usabowl USA Bowl Championship Series] that ranks the top 25 semi-pro/amateur teams in the country, and attempts to crown the annual ''[[Mythical national championship|"National Champion"]]'' at the '''USA Bowl'''. The last association is the [https://www.usfaf.org/home United States Federation of American Football], that tries to divide the existing leagues to AAA and AA class-levels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mlfn.org/aaa-and-aa-league-criteria-updated-p334-165.htm|title=AAA AND AA LEAGUE CRITERIA UPDATED|website=mlfn.org}}</ref>

The prominent present-day leagues in the [[American football in the United States#Adult Amateur Football / Semi-Pro Football|"Adult Amateur"/ "Semi-Pro"]] US circuit are: [https://www.theapdfl.net/ Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League],<ref name="si"/><ref name="dme">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Elane |last2=Eagle |first2=Daily Mountain |title=P-Town Wreckaz switch leagues, tapped to host Kick-off Classic |url=http://mountaineagle.com/stories/p-town-wreckaz-switch-leagues-tapped-to-host-kick-off-classic,14644 |accessdate=December 12, 2018 |work=Daily Mountain Eagle |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/champs/ampdevfl.htm|title=Amateur to Professional Developmental Football League - Champions|website=www.semiprofootball.org}}</ref> [[Empire Football League]], [[Florida Football Alliance]], [https://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/?u=MDFOOTBALL&s=football Mason-Dixon Football League],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-08-09-1991221164-story.html|title=In Mason Dixon, local players Bear souls for another NFL shot|first=Nestor|last=Aparicio|website=baltimoresun.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1994-02-13-9402110480-story.html|title=FORMER UCF PUNTER SALERNO EARNS CHANCE AT PRO DREAM|first=Bill Buchalter, of The Sentinel|last=Staff|website=OrlandoSentinel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/champs/mdfl.htm|title=Mason-Dixon Football League - Champions|website=www.semiprofootball.org}}</ref> [https://www.msflfootball.com/ MidStates Football League],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/?id=316673|title=A quarterback the Bears could use -- Daily Herald|website=prev.dailyherald.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://journaltimes.com/sports/football/racine-raiders-national-playoff-path-set-for-undefeated-squad/article_cda5803f-18f6-51eb-b85e-626b9b9ef693.html|title=Racine Raiders: National playoff path set for undefeated squad|first=Mark|last=Feldmann|website=Journal Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/champs/msfl.htm|title=Mid-States Football League - Champions|website=www.semiprofootball.org}}</ref> [https://www.mflishere.com/ Minor Football League],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4313900|title=Vick welcome to play in football minor league|date=July 8, 2009|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mont.thesentinel.com/2016/06/03/minor-league-football-gears-up-in-moco/|title=Minor League Football gears up in MoCo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.1888pressrelease.com/mfl-and-african-union-mission-announce-groundbreaking-intern-pr-654337.html|title=MFL and African Union Mission Announce Groundbreaking International Developmental Football by Minor Football League|website=www.1888pressrelease.com}}</ref> [[New England Football League]] and [https://www.thepcfl.com/ The Pacific Coast Football League].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sfbayview.com/2014/02/golden-state-giants-football-is-back-an-interview-wit-golden-state-giants-president-tirrell-muhammad/|title=Golden State Giants football is back: an interview wit’ Golden State Giants President Tirrell Muhammad|date=February 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oaklandnorth.net/2017/03/15/east-bay-guardians-prep-for-2017-semi-pro-football-season/|title=East Bay Guardians prep for 2017 semi-pro football season|website=Oakland North}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.semiprofootball.org/minor/champs/ncaff.htm|title=Pacific Coast Football League - Champions|website=www.semiprofootball.org}}</ref> The NEFL is unique in the American sports landscape, allowing promotion and relegation among conferences.

In [[Canada]] there are three prominent leagues: [[Maritime Football League]] in the east, [http://nfcfootball.ca/ Northern Football Conference] in [[Ontario]] and the [[Alberta Football League]] in the west.

Under [[USA Football]] strict criteria, players in this level are eligible for the [[United States national American football team]].

===International American Football Leagues===
American football is a growing sport worldwide, and has the International Olympic Committee recognition since 2013. Over the years the NFL tried to expend their exposure to additional markets, when they played some of their games outside of the United States. The first game outside of US and Canada played in [[Japan]] in 1976,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zT1QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BQ4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=6981,636257|title=Japan to get second look at American pro football|last=Rothman|first=Seymour|date=1989-07-29|accessdate=2013-10-20|publisher=[[Toledo Blade]]}}</ref> in 1978 they played in [[Mexico]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/hispanicheritage2008/news/story?id=3620057|title=Mexico's long love affair with football, American-style|date=2008-10-01|accessdate=2013-10-20|last=Viruega|first=Pablo|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> and in 1983 the NFL had their first game in [[Europe]] ([[London]], [[United Kingdom]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/2012/9/26/football-in-the-uk-hall-of-famers-at-wembley/|title=Football in the UK: Hall of Famers at Wembley|date=2012-09-26|accessdate=2013-10-20|publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|last=Reynolds|first=Neil}}</ref> 

After the success of the international series in the '80s, foreign countries have established their own leagues and have earned a reputation over the years, and even begun to attract some American players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanfootballinternational.com/american-football-not-just-american/|title=American football not just American|date=August 23, 2019|website=American Football International}}</ref> Usually, the [[foreign players in the National Football League]] moved to the US early, and played the game in college, but there is one exception – [[Moritz Böhringer]], who was drafted in [[2016 NFL Draft|2016]] directly from the [[German Football League]] (although he still has not played in official game).

Since 2017, the Canadian Football League tried to globalize as well, and made partnership agreements with football leagues in [[Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional|Austria]], [[National Ligaen|Denmark]], [[Vaahteraliiga|Finland]], [[Ligue Élite de Football Américain|France]], [[German Football League|Germany]], [[Italian Football League|Italy]], [[X-League|Japan]], [[Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional|Mexico]], [[Norway]], [[Superserien|Sweden]] and the [[BAFA National Leagues|United Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/12/28/more-sports/football/new-cfl-x-league-alliance-spans-pacific/|title=New CFL-X League alliance spans the Pacific|first1=Takashi|last1=Yokota|first2=Hiroshi|last2=Ikezawa|date=December 28, 2019|website=The Japan Times}}</ref> The league held special [[2020_CFL_season#Global_combines|global scouting combine]] in Europe, Mexico and Japan,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/11/05/cfl-hold-global-player-combines-europe-mexico-japan/|title=CFL to hold global player combines in Europe, Mexico and Japan|date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> and in 2019 held a special draft for [[2019 CFL–LFA Draft|Mexican born players]], and another one for [[2019 CFL European Draft|European players]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfl.ca/2019/04/11/first-cfl-european-draft-take-place-1-p-m-et/|title=Full results from the first ever European draft|date=April 11, 2019}}</ref> Today the CFL featured two designated "global players" roster spots from countries outside the U.S. and Canada on its nine member clubs.<ref name="France Combine">{{cite web|url=https://press.cfl.ca/cfl-combine-planned-for-paris-france-in-2020|title=CFL Combine planned for Paris, France in 2020|publisher=press.cfl.ca|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref>

Another league that has entered into partnership agreements with american league for players developments is the [[Elite Football League of India]] which has an agreement with the [[Gridiron Developmental Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/communities/oklahoma-thunder-football-agrees-to-foreign-exchange-player-program/article_6f4c32b6-e284-11e3-9c8a-10604b9ffee2.html|title=Oklahoma Thunder Football agrees to foreign exchange player program|first=From Oklahoma Thunder|last=Football|website=Tulsa World}}</ref> 

====Australian Football League====
{{main|Australians in American football}}
American football is a very different [[Gridiron football|gridiron]] code than that of [[Australian rules football]] played in the [[Australian Football League]] (AFL).<ref name="Ausi">{{cite news |last1=Lukas |first1=Mike |title=NFL vs AFL: Revenue, Salaries, Viewership and Attendance|url=https://www.wsn.com/nfl/nfl-vs-australian-football-league/|work=WSN|date=January 28, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> However, the [[Punter (football)|punting specialist position]] requires similar skills to those used in Australian rules football, and made the transition easier for the players from down under.<ref name=Niesen>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/college-football/2018/08/16/mitch-wishnowsky-utah-australian-punters-prokick |title=Mitch Wishnowsky and Utah Are Setting the Pace in a New Phase of the Australian Punter Pipeline |first=Joan |last=Niesen |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=13 August 2018 |accessdate=20 June 2019}}</ref><ref name=Wagoner>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/297461/the-nfls-australian-punter-revolution-has-arrived-in-san-francisco |title=How the NFL's Australian punter revolution made its way to San Francisco |first=Nick |last=Wagoner |website=[[ESPN.com]] |date=24 May 2019 |accessdate=20 June 2019}}</ref> The most successful player to ever make the transition is [[Darren Bennett (football player)|Darren Bennett]], which started his NFL career after finishing his "Ausi rules" one and was selected to the [[NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]]. 

Because salaries are usually up to five times higher in the US,<ref name="Ausi"/> a high number of players try their luck in the american game. In the last decade, the NFL has placed full-time development officers in [[Australia]], and there is a full-time punting academy in the [[Australia (continent)|Australian continent]] – [[Prokick Australia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prokickaustralia.com/|title=Prokick Australia|website=www.prokickaustralia.com}}</ref> – which is aimed at training and assessing talented punters from the country for positions in major U.S. colleges and the NFL.

Although the vast majority of Australian players in the NFL are [[Punter (football)|punters]], there are few exemptions. The most known one is the [[Offensive tackle]] [[Jordan Mailata]], who played [[Rugby league]] and was drafted in [[2018 NFL Draft|2018]] without college experience,<ref>{{cite web|title=Eagles draft Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000930138/article/eagles-draft-australian-rugby-player-jordan-mailata|author=Knoblauch, Austin|website=NFL.com|date=28 April 2018}}</ref> while another example is [[Joel Wilkinson]] who signed with the [[Arizona Cardinals]] as a [[cornerback]]. [[Defensive end]] [[Adam Gotsis]] is probably the most successful non-punter Australian; He played in college ([[Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football|Georgia Tech]]) and was drafted in the second round of the [[2016 NFL Draft]] by the [[Denver Broncos]]. Other notable players are [[Jarryd Hayne]] and [[Jesse Williams (American football)|Jesse Williams]].

==Current and planned Minor leagues==

===Current leagues===
====High-level====
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[XFL (2020)|XFL]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-salary-structure/1amgsczt2ngnc1cekk66jektlr|title=How much do XFL players get paid? Breaking down salary structure for new league|website=www.sportingnews.com}}</ref> 2001; 2020<sup>1</sup>

====Low-level====
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Gridiron Developmental Football League]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gdfl.org/|title=Home - Gridiron Developmental Football League|website=www.gdfl.org}}</ref><ref name="si"/>, 2010-
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Rivals Professional Football League]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rivalsnation.com/|title=Rivals Professional Football League|website=Rivals Professional Football League}}</ref><ref name="si"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Autullo|first1=Ryan|title=New league not coming to Toledo|url=http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/372539|accessdate=June 25, 2015|work=The Blade|date=April 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231107/http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show/372539|archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref><ref name=cd>{{cite news|last1=Shea|first1=Bill|title=Spring football ... in Detroit? 2 groups think so|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140323/NEWS/303239958/spring-football-in-detroit-2-groups-think-so|accessdate=June 25, 2015|work=Crain's Detroit Business|publisher=Crain Communications, Inc.|date=March 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Jason Carmel|title=Rivals football league provides athletes with chance to fulfill dream|url=http://www.candgnews.com/sports/rivals-football-league-provides-athletes-chance-fulfill-dream|accessdate=June 25, 2015|work=Journal|publisher=C & G Publishing|date=April 17, 2014}}</ref>, 2014-

====Developmental====
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[The Spring League]],<ref name=espn>{{cite news|last1=Clayton|first1=John|title=Spring league kicking off 4-team, 3-week development plan in April|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18334913/spring-league-aims-develop-nfl-free-agents|accessdate=August 30, 2017|work=ESPN|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref> 2017–
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Your Call Football]],<ref name="auto"/> 2018–2019<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup>: The league is in hiatus and put itself up for sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Inside-the-XFL-bankruptcy-filing-optimism-and-15198120.php|title=Inside the XFL bankruptcy filing: optimism and big bills|first=David|last=Barron|date=April 13, 2020|website=HoustonChronicle.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/04/13/xfl-files-bankruptcy-pursues-sale-days-after-shutting-down-operations/|title=XFL files for bankruptcy and pursues sale after shutting down operations}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanberr/2020/04/15/will-vince-mcmahons-bankrupt-xfl-live-to-fight-another-day/|title=Will Vince McMahon’s Bankrupt XFL Live To Fight Another Day?|first=Jonathan|last=Berr|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Daily/Closing%20Bell/2020/06/01/XFL.aspx|title=Judge Approves August Sale For Assets Of Bankrupt XFL|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref><br>
<sup>2</sup>: The league stated that it had no plans to host a 2020 competition.

===Planned leagues===
====High-level====
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Spring League of American Football]] (SLAF), postponed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2018/01/29/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/XFL.aspx|title=A comeback for XFL, but can it win?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/slaf-wants-to-bring-nfl-level-competition-to-the-spring-and-that-s-not-even-their-craziest-idea-100616|title=SLAF Wants To Bring NFL-Level Competition To The Spring And That’s Not Even Their Craziest Idea|publisher=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]|date=June 30, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cbsny">{{cite news |first1=Peter |last1=Schwartz|title=Schwartz: Spring League Of American Football Set To Debut In 2018 |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/09/26/spring-league-american-football/ |accessdate=December 10, 2018 |work=CBS New York |publisher=CBS |date=September 26, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> 
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Freedom Football League]] (FFL), TBA (proposed to begin in 2020)<ref name=sportingnews>{{cite news |last1=Durkee |first1=Travis |title=Ricky Williams, collection of former NFL stars launching Freedom Football League |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/ricky-williams-freedom-football-league-announcement-ffl-nfl-xfl-news-teams-cities/xhnwojhe3ctr14fvo3n0dosdg |accessdate=December 10, 2018 |work=Sporting News |agency=Omnisport |publisher=Perform Media |date=December 6, 2018}}</ref>

====Mid-level====
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Major League Football]] (MLFB), proposed to begin in 2021<ref name="MLFB">{{cite news |last1=Faris |first1=Nick |title=he dream that won't die: Will a new alternative football league ever last?|url=https://www.thescore.com/xfl/news/1921673|work=theScore|date=January 24, 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pigskinnut.com/xfl-sale-is-imminent-but-how-long-must-we-wait-for-spring-football/|title=XFL sale is imminent. But how long must we wait for spring football?|publisher=PigSkinNut Football|date=May 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/local/article/Bankrupt-football-league-s-gear-sold-at-San-14070510.php|title=Bankrupt football league’s gear sold at San Antonio court auction|website=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |date=July 3, 2019}}</ref><ref name="10-K for 2019">{{cite web |url=https://backend.otcmarkets.com/otcapi/company/sec-filings/12699745/content/html |title=Major League Football Inc. (Form: 10-K, Received 04/25/2018 06:09:01) |publisher=OTCMarkets |date=April 25, 2018}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[American Patriot League]] (APL), proposed to begin in 2020, but pushed back to 2021 because of the [[2019–20 coronavirus pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com/stories/daytona-becomes-1st-city-in-new-spring-football-league,5381|title=Daytona Becomes 1st City In New Spring Football League|website=WNDB - News Daytona Beach}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aplfootball.us/tryouts|title=American Patriot League|website=aplfootball.us}}</ref>

====Developmental====
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Pacific Pro Football|Pacific Pro League (Pac Pro)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/curtisrush/2019/02/13/new-pro-football-league-headed-by-ed-mccaffrey-just-might-work/#1c9c6c6c573c|title=New Pro Football League Headed By Ed McCaffrey Just Might Work|publisher=[[Forbes]]|date=February 13, 2018}}</ref>, proposed to begin in 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/pacific-pro-football-schedules-camp-for-nfl-free-agents/|title=Pacific Pro Football schedules camp for NFL free agents|publisher=[[The Seattle Times]]|date=September 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/01/07/agent-ex-nfler-launch-high-school-to-pro-football-league/|title=Agent, ex-NFLer launch high school-to-pro football league|publisher=[[New York Post]]|date=January 7, 2019}}</ref> but postponed without an announcement.
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Young Superstars League]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wpfa.us/ysl|title=World Professional Football Association|website=wpfa.us}}</ref>, TBA (APL D-League)

==Defunct Minor leagues==
===High-level===
{{small|Source}}<ref name="CCminor"/><ref name="Outsiders"/><ref name="OutsidersII"/><ref name=YouSure>R.D. Griffith. ''To the NFL: You Sure Started Somethin''', Dorrance Publishing, 2012. {{ISBN|1434916812}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Anthracite League]], 1924{{efn|[[Pottsville Maroons]] moved to the NFL.}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ohio_League#Ohio_Valley_League_(1925-1929)|Ohio Valley League]], 1925-1929{{efn| Informal association of teams; [[History of the Portsmouth Spartans|Portsmouth Spartans]] would later move to the NFL.}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[American Football League (1934)|American Football League]], 1934
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[American Association (football)|American Association]]* 1936–1941/[[American Football League (1946)|American Football League]]* 1946–1950{{efn| American Association suspended operations for duration of U.S. involvement in [[World War II]]; in 1946 the AA was renamed American Football League.}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Dixie League (football)|Dixie League]]*, 1936-1942{{efn|Suspended operations in 1942 for duration of U.S. involvement in World War II; Some teams played few games at the newly formed '''Virginia Football League''' in 1942 before going to full hiatus.}}; 1946–1947 
:::Originally '''South Atlantic Football Association'''
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Midwest Football League (1935–1940)|Midwest Football League]], 1935–1939 
:::Became '''American Professional Football Association''' in 1938, '''American Football League''' in 1939
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Pacific Coast Professional Football League]]*, 1940–1948
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[American Football League (1944)|American Football League]], 1944{{efn| Merged with PCPFL in 1945.}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}}{{Flagicon|CAN}} [[United Football League (1961)|United Football League]], 1961–1964
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Atlantic Coast Football League]]‡, 1962–1971, 1973<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/16-03-566.pdf|title=THE BEST LITTLE QUARTERBACK YOU NEVER HEARD OF?}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|USA}}{{Flagicon|CAN}}{{Flagicon|MEX}} [[Continental Football League]], 1965–1969
:::::Merged with the '''[[Professional Football League of America]]''' in 1968, and with the '''[[Texas Football League]]''' in 1969.
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ray Malavasi#After the NFL|International Football League]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121180/index.htm|title=An Overdose Of Problems|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026074408/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121180/index.htm|archive-date=2012-10-26}}</ref> 1983{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}}{{Flagicon|CAN}}{{Flagicon|EUR}} [[NFL Europe|World League of American Football]]* 1991–1992{{efn|The league was in hiatus and re-branded as the NFL Europe League in 1995.}}/[[NFL Europe]]* 1995-2007
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Professional Spring Football League]], 1992{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[International Football Federation]], 1999{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[All American Football League]], 2007{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[United Football League (2009–2012)|United Football League]], 2009–2012
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[New United States Football League]]{{efn|Two separate attempts, with different managements.}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2012/07/new_usfl_likes_birmingham_but.html|title=New USFL likes Birmingham, but faces hurdles getting there|first=Dennis Lin-- The Birmingham|last=News|date=July 3, 2012|website=al}}</ref> 2010{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newusfl.com/index.html|title=The New USFL - For the Love of the Game!|date=December 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206030101/http://www.newusfl.com/index.html|archive-date=2008-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/92242-usfl-making-a-comeback|title=USFL: Making a Comeback|first=Richie|last=Fender|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/333031-dont-call-it-a-comeback-usfls-return-could-cause-trouble-for-the-nfl|title=Don't Call It a Comeback: USFL's Return Could Cause Trouble for the NFL|first=JC De La|last=Torre|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> 2014{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theusfl.net/|title=The USFL is Back|date=March 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319192221/http://www.theusfl.net/|archive-date=2012-03-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.athleticbusiness.com/sports-media/usfl-attempts-comeback-reveals-new-logo-targets-cities.html|title=You are being redirected...|website=www.athleticbusiness.com}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[A-11 Football League]], 2014{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[North American Football League]], 2014{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Alliance of American Football]], 2019

===Mid-level===
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Regional Football League]], 1999
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Spring Football League]], 2000
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Fall Experimental Football League]], 2014–2015{{efn| Reformatted as the developmental [[The Spring League]].}}

===Low-level===
{{small|Source}}<ref name="CCminor"/><ref name="Outsiders"/><ref name="OutsidersII"/><ref name="YouSure"/>
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Pacific Coast League (football)|Pacific Coast League]], 1926
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Eastern League of Professional Football]], 1926-1927
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Anthracite League (1928-1929)|Anthracite League]], 1928-1929
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Eastern Football League (1932-1933)|Eastern Football League]], 1932-1933
:::Renamed '''Interstate Football League''' in 1933
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Greater New York League]], 1934-1935{{efn| Informal association of teams.}}
:::Originally the '''New Jersey Football Circuit''' (1934)
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[American Legion League]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/06-07-190.pdf|title=California Dreamin': West Coast Pros in the 1930s}}</ref> 1934-1935
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Northwest Football League]], 1935–1938
:::Outgrowth of the '''Tri-States Football League''' (1934)
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[New England Football League (1936)|New England Football League]], 1936
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Virginia-Carolina Football League]], 1937
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[California Football League]], 1938
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Eastern Pennsylvania Football League]]‡, 1938
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Northeast Football League]], 1940–1942{{efn| Informal association of teams.}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Ohio Professional Football League]],<ref>{{cite news |title=2 Dayton Teams In New Pro Football Circuit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77098917/dayton-daily-news/ |newspaper=[[Dayton Daily News]] |via=Newspapers.com |date=September 21, 1941 |access-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref> 1941
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Northwest War Industries League|Northwest War Industries Football League]], 1942
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Eastern Football League (1944)|Eastern Football League]], 1944
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Virginia Negro football League|Virginia Negro League]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=56oUCgAAQBAJ&q=Outside+the+Lines%3A+African+Americans+and+the+Integration+of+the+National+Football+League+%22Virginia+Negro+League%22&pg=PA57|title=Outside the Lines: African Americans and the Integration of the National Football League|isbn=9780814774960|last1=Ross|first1=Charles K.|date=May 2001}}</ref>  1946
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Central States Football League (1948–1953)|Central States Football League]], 1948–1953
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Pacific Football Conference]], 1957–1958
*{{Flagicon|USA}}{{Flagicon|CAN}} [[American Football Conference (1959–1961)|American Football Conference]], 1959–1961{{efn| Informal association of teams; the Toledo Tornadoes and Duquesne Ironmen would later move to the UFL and the ACFL (respectively).}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Central States Football League (1962–1975)|Central States Football League]], 1962-1975
:::Outgrowth of the '''Bi-States Football League''' (1949-1959) and '''Tri-States Football League''' (1960-1961)
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Midwest Football League (1962–1978)|Midwest Football League]]‡, 1962-1978
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Southern Football League (1963-1965)|Southern Football League]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626150752/https://miltonhooper.com/2018/09/28/friday-flashback-southern-football-league/|title=Friday Flashback: Southern Football League|date=September 28, 2018|website=That Dude Writer}}</ref> 1963-1965
:::Merger between the '''Dixie Football League''' (1961-1962) and '''Florida Football League''' (1962-1963)
*{{Flagicon|USA}}{{Flagicon|CAN}} [[North Pacific Football League]]‡, 1963-1966
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[New England Football League (1964-1971)|New England Football League]],<ref name=CTgridiron>William J. Ryczek. ''Connecticut Gridiron: Football Minor Leaguers of the 1960s and 1970s'', p.113, McFarland & Company, 2014. {{ISBN|0786478330}}</ref> 1964-1967
:::Renamed '''North Atlantic Football League''' in 1967
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[North American Football League (1965–66)|North American Football League]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/07/new-pro-football-league-ready-to-operate-in-1965.html|title=New Pro Football League Ready to Operate in 1965|date=December 7, 1964|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref name="AntitrustBill"/> 1965–1966
:::Supplemented the '''[[Southern Football League (1963-1965)|Southern Football League]]''' in 1966
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Professional Football League of America]], 1965-1967
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Texas Football League]] 1966–1968{{efn| Merged with CoFL in 1969.}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[United American Football League]], 1967
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Trans-American Football League]], 1970–1971
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Midwest Professional Football League]], 1970–1972
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Seaboard Football League]], 1971–1974
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Southwestern Football League]], 1972–1973
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[California Football League (1974-1982)|California Football League]], 1974-1982
:::Renamed '''Western Football League''' for the 1976 season
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[American Football Association (1977–1983)|American Football Association]], 1977–1983
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[United National Gridiron League]], 2007{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[World Football League (2008–2010)|World Football League]], 2008–2010
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Stars Football League]], 2011–2013

===Developmental===
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Pacific Pro Football]],{{efn|Reformatted to a scouting event called [[HUB Football]] in 2020.}} 2017{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}}
*{{Flagicon|USA}} [[Your Call Football]],<ref name="auto"/> 2018–2019

''{{note label|MD|*}} Official NFL / AFL minor league.''<br>
''{{note label|LG|‡}} Unofficial NFL minor league, that featured NFL farm team(s).''<br>
''{{small|<sup>𝐟</sup>}} Folded without playing.''

'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}

==Potential markets overview==

===High-level===
* Cities with over [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada#United States|2 million residents]] (metropolitan areas).
* At least one team in one of the US [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|Major professional sports leagues]].
* History of professional football in one of the major football leagues - [[NFL]], AFL ([[American Football League (1926)|I]], [[American Football League (1936)|II]], [[American Football League (1940)|III]] and [[American Football League|IV]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/01-02-002.pdf|title=All Those A.F.L.'s: N.F.L. Competitors, 1935-1941}}</ref> [[World Football League|WFL]], [[USFL]] or [[Canadian Football League|CFL]].
* Not represented by the NFL.
* Top 40 [[List of United States television markets|US media market]].
* High-level facilities.
<onlyinclude>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:; text-align:center; width:" 
|+
|-
! rowspan="2" | City
! rowspan="2" | Population <br> (Metro)
! rowspan="2" | Propose Stadium
! rowspan="2" | Capacity<br>{{Ref label|MD|*}}
! colspan="2" | Market Potential 
! rowspan="2" | Past Pro-Football Teams
! rowspan="2" | Other Pro Sports Teams
|-
! Avg. Att.
! League 
|-
| [[Columbus, Ohio]]<ref name=spun>{{cite news|last1=Hladik|first1=Matt|title=8 New Cities Reportedly Being Considered For AAF Teams|url=https://thespun.com/nfl/8-new-cities-reportedly-being-considered-for-aaf-teams|date=February 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 2,424,831
| [[Mapfre Stadium]]/<br>[[Ohio Stadium]]
| 19,968/<br>102,780
| 30,891
| [[NFL Europe|World League]]<br>(1991)
| [[Columbus Panhandles]] ([[NFL]]) <br> [[Columbus Chevrolets]] ([[Ohio Valley League|OVL]]) <br> [[Columbus Bobbs]] ([[Midwest Football League (1935–1940)|MWFL]]) <br> [[Columbus Bullies]] ([[American Football League (1940)|AFL III]]) <br> [[Columbus Colts]] ([[United Football League (1961–1964)|UFL I]])<br> [[Ohio Glory]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]])
| [[Columbus Crew]] ([[MLS]]) <br> [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] ([[NHL]])<br>
[[Columbus Clippers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Columbus Destroyers]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])
|-
| [[St. Louis, Missouri]]<ref name="sport_journal">{{cite news |last1=Thomas H. Bruggink |first1=Doug Schiz |title=Location Model in the National Football League: Predicting Optimal Expansion and Relocation Sites|url=https://thesportjournal.org/article/location-model-in-the-national-football-league-predicting-optimal-expansion-and-relocation-sites/|work=The Sport Journal|date=March 14, 2008 |language=en}}</ref>
| 2,807,338
| [[The Dome at America's Center|The Dome]]
| 66,965<br>(28,352)
| 28,541
| [[2020 XFL season|XFL]]<br>(2020)
| [[St. Louis All-Stars]] ([[NFL]]) <br> [[St. Louis Gunners]] ([[NFL]])<br>[[St. Louis Blues (AFL)|St. Louis Blues]] ([[American Football League (1934)|AFL]]) <br> [[History of the St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]]  ([[NFL]]) <br>[[St. Louis Rams]] ([[NFL]])
| [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ([[MLB]]) <br> [[St. Louis Blues]] ([[NHL]])
|-
| [[Orlando, Florida]]<ref name=br-pec2>{{cite news|last1=Conery|first1=Sean|title=NFL International Expansion: Top 20 Possible Teams of the Future|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/710718-nfl-international-expansion-top-20-possible-teams-of-the-future#slide0|date=May 30, 2011}}</ref><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 2,267,846
| [[Spectrum Stadium]]/ <br> [[Exploria Stadium]]
| 44,206/ <br> 25,500
| 19,648
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[Orlando Broncos]] ([[Southern Football League (1963-1965)|SFL]])<br>[[Orlando Panthers]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[Florida Blazers]] ([[World Football League|WFL]]) <br> [[Orlando Americans]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]) <br> [[Orlando Renegades]] ([[USFL]]) <br> [[Orlando Thunder]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]]) <br> [[Orlando Rage]] ([[XFL (2001)|XFL]]) <br> [[Florida Tuskers]] ([[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]]) <br> [[Orlando Apollos]] ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
| [[Orlando Magic]] ([[NBA]]) <br> [[Orlando City S.C.]] ([[MLS]]) <br>
[[Orlando Predators (NAL)|Orlando Predators]] ([[National Arena League|NAL]]) <br> [[Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]] ([[ECHL]])
|-
| [[San Antonio, Texas]]<ref name=br-pec>{{cite news|last1=Bennett|first1=Charles|title=NFL: Potential Cities it Could Move or Expand To|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/844925-nfl-potential-cities-it-could-move-or-expand-to#slide0|date=September 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 2,277,550
| [[Alamodome]]
| 64,000<br>(39,500)
| 27,721
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[San Antonio Toros]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[San Antonio Wings]] ([[World Football League|WFL]]) <br> [[San Antonio Charros]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]) <br> [[San Antonio Bulls]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]) <br> [[San Antonio Gunslingers]] ([[USFL]]) <br> [[San Antonio Riders]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]]) <br> [[San Antonio Texans]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]]) <br>[[San Antonio Matadors]] ([[Spring Football League|SFL]]) <br> [[San Antonio Commanders]] ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
| [[San Antonio Spurs]] ([[NBA]]) <br> 
[[San Antonio Rampage]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) <br> [[San Antonio Missions]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[San Antonio FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Portland, Oregon]]<ref name="si-pec"/><ref name="br-pec"/><ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name=NewUSFL>{{cite news|last1=Popke|first1=Michael|title=USFL Attempts Comeback, Reveals New Logo, Targets Cities|url=https://www.athleticbusiness.com/sports-media/usfl-attempts-comeback-reveals-new-logo-targets-cities.html|date=July 17, 2012}}</ref><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 2,314,554
| [[Providence Park]]
| 25,218
| 19,919
| [[USFL]]<br>(1985)
| [[Portland Boilermakers]] ([[Northwest War Industries League|WIFL]]) <br> [[Portland Rockets]] ([[American Football League (1944)|AFL]]) <br> [[Portland Thunderbirds]] ([[North Pacific Football League|NPFL]]) <br>  [[Portland Loggers]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[Portland Thunder]] ([[World Football League|WFL]]) <br> [[Portland Breakers]] ([[USFL]]) <br> [[Oregon Lightning Bolts]] ([[Professional Spring Football League|PSFL]])
| [[Portland Trail Blazers]] ([[NBA]]) <br> [[Portland Timbers]] ([[MLS]])
|-
| [[Sacramento, California]]<ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 2,600,000
| [[Charles C. Hughes Stadium|Hughes Stadium]]/<br>[[Railyards Stadium]]
| 20,311/ <br>  21,000
| 18,775
| [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]]<br>(2011)
| [[Sacramento Wildcats]] ([[California Football League|CaFL]]) <br> [[Sacramento Nuggets]] ([[PCFL]]) <br> [[Sacramento Capitols]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[Sacramento Buffaloes]] ([[California Football League (1974-1982)|CaFL II]]) <br> [[Sacramento Surge]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]]) <br> [[Sacramento Gold Miners]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]]) <br> [[Sacramento Mountain Lions]] ([[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]])
| [[Sacramento Kings]] ([[NBA]]) <br>
[[Sacramento River Cats]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Sacramento Republic FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Oakland, California]]<ref name="sport_journal"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/cities-the-xfl-ought-to-consider-for-expansion/|title=Cities The XFL Ought to Consider For Expansion}}</ref>
| 4,729,484
| [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]]/<br>[[California Memorial Stadium]]
| 56,057/<br>62,467
| 35,005<br>{[[San Francisco Demons|Bay Area]]}
| [[XFL (2001)|XFL]]<br>(2001)
| [[Oakland Cardinals]] ([[California Football League|CaFL]]) <br> [[Oakland Hornets]] ([[American Football League (1944)|AFL]]) <br> [[Oakland Giants]] ([[PCFL]]) <br> [[Oakland Invaders]] ([[USFL]]) <br> [[Oakland Raiders]] ([[NFL]])
| [[Oakland Athletics]] ([[MLB]]) <br> [[Golden State Warriors]] ([[NBA]]) <br> 
[[Oakland Panthers]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])<br>[[Oakland Roots SC]] ([[National Independent Soccer Association|NISA]])
|-
| [[San Diego, California]]<ref name="si-pec"/><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 3,095,313
| [[Snapdragon Stadium]]
| 35,000
| 19,154
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[San Diego Bombers]] ([[PCFL]]) <br> [[San Diego Gunners]] ([[American Football League (1944)|AFL]]) <br> [[San Diego Chargers]] ([[NFL]]) <br> [[San Diego Sharks]] ([[California Football League (1974-1982)|CaFL II]]) <br> [[San Diego Fleet]] ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
| [[San Diego Padres]] ([[MLB]])<br> 
[[San Diego Gulls]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br>[[San Diego Strike Force]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])<br>[[San Diego Loyal SC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
|-
|}
''{{note label|MD|*}} Modified stadium capacity.''

===Borderline High-level===
* Cities with over 1 million residents (metropolitan areas).
* At least one team in one of the US [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|Major professional sports leagues]] (current or former).
* Not represented by the NFL.
* Top 70 [[List of United States television markets|US media market]].
* High-level facilities.
* History of professional football in one of the high-level football leagues.
<onlyinclude>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:; text-align:center; width:" 
|+
|-
! rowspan="2" | City
! rowspan="2" | Population <br> (Metro)
! rowspan="2" | Propose Stadium
! rowspan="2" | Capacity<br>{{Ref label|MD|*}}
! colspan="2" | Market Potential 
! rowspan="2" | Past Pro-Football Teams
! rowspan="2" | Other Pro Sports Teams
|-
! Avg. Att.
! League 
|-
| [[Hartford, Connecticut]]<ref name="CFL_USA">{{cite news |last1=Bennett |first1=Charles |title=How to Make the CFL USA Work This Time and 15 Places Where It Could Thrive|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1685288-cfl-usa-how-to-make-it-work-this-time-and-15-places-where-it-could|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=July 15, 2013|language=en}}</ref><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 1,212,381
| [[Pratt & Whitney Stadium]]
| 38,066
| 14,365
| [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]] <br> (2010)
| [[Hartford Blues]] ([[NFL]])<br>[[Hartford Knights]] ([[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]])<br>[[Hartford Charter Oaks]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])<br> [[Hartford Colonials]] ([[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]])
| [[Hartford Wolf Pack]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br> [[Hartford Yard Goats]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Hartford Athletic]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Newark, New Jersey]]<br>([[New York metropolitan area|New York Metro]])<ref name="CFL_USA"/>
| 938,506<br>(21,045,000)
| [[MetLife Stadium]]/<br> 
[[Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)|Red Bull Arena]]
| 82,500 (33,346)/<br> 25,000
| 14,875
| [[2020 XFL season#Attendance|XFL]] <br> (2020)
| [[Newark Bears (AFL)|Newark Bears]] ([[American Football League (1926)|AFL I]])<br>[[Newark Tornadoes]] ([[NFL]])<br>[[Newark Blues]] ([[Eastern League of Professional Football|Eastern]])<br>[[Newark Fighting Irish]] ([[Eastern Football League (American football)|EFL]])<br>[[Newark Bombers]] ([[American Association (American football)|AA]])<br>[[Jersey Tigers]] ([[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]])<br>[[New Jersey Generals]] ([[USFL]])<br>[[New York/New Jersey Knights|NY-NJ Knights]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]])<br> [[New York/New Jersey Hitmen|NY-NJ Hitmen]] ([[XFL (2001)|XFL]])
| [[New Jersey Devils]] ([[NHL]])<br>
[[New Jersey Jackals]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])
|-
| [[Hampton Roads|Hampton Roads, Virginia]]<ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name="sport_journal"/><ref name="MLFB"/>
| 1,707,369
| [[William "Dick" Price Stadium]]/<br> [[Foreman Field]]/<br> [[Virginia Beach Sportsplex]]
| 30,000/<br> 22,480/<br> 17,000
| 12,985
| [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]]<br> (2011)
| [[Norfolk Clancys]] (Ind.)<br>[[Norfolk Shamrocks]] ([[Dixie League (American football)|Dixie]])<br>[[Newport News Builders]] ([[Dixie League (American football)|Dixie]])<br>[[Norfolk Brown Bombers]] ([[Virginia Negro football League|VNFL]]) <br> [[Norfolk Neptunes]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])<br> [[Virginia Hunters]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]])<br>[[Canadian Football League#Defunct teams|Norfolk Pirates]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]])<br>[[Virginia Destroyers]] ([[United Football League (2009–12)|UFL]])
| [[Norfolk Tides]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br> [[Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)|Norfolk Admirals]] ([[ECHL]])<br> [[Virginia Beach City FC]] ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])
|-
| [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]<ref name="sport_journal"/><ref name="NewUSFL"/>
| 1,214,516
| [[Carter–Finley Stadium]]
| 57,583
| 14,030
| [[NFL Europe|World League]]<br>(1991)
| [[Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]])
| [[Carolina Hurricanes]] ([[NHL]])<br>
[[Durham Bulls]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[North Carolina FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Louisville, Kentucky]]<ref name="br-pec"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100424231045/http://uflaccess.com/ufl/analysis-of-ufl-markets/|title=Analysis of UFL Markets}}</ref>
| 1,262,261
| [[Cardinal Stadium]]/<br>[[Lynn Family Stadium]]/<br>[[Louisville Slugger Field]]
| 61,000/<br>14,000/<br>13,131
| -
| -
| [[Louisville Breckenridges]] ([[NFL]])<br>[[Louisville Bourbons]] ([[American Football League (1934)|AFL]])<br>[[Louisville Tanks]] ([[Midwest Football League (1935–1940)|APFL]])<br>[[Louisville Raiders]] ([[United Football League (1961–1964)|UFL I]])<br>[[Kentucky Trackers]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]) 
| [[Louisville Bats]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Louisville City FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Kentucky Xtreme]] ([[American Arena League|AAL]])
|-
| [[Omaha, Nebraska]]<ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name="NewUSFL"/>
| 1,136,211
| [[TD Ameritrade Park]]
| 24,000
| 22,785
| [[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]]<br> (2011)
| [[Omaha Mustangs]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])<br>[[Omaha Nighthawks]] ([[United Football League (2009–2012)|UFL]])<br>[[Omaha Mammoths]] ([[FXFL]])
| [[Omaha Storm Chasers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Omaha Beef]] ([[Champions Indoor Football|CIF]]) <br>[[Union Omaha]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Memphis, Tennessee]]<ref name="sport_journal"/><ref name="NewUSFL"/>
| 1,341,746
| [[Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium]]
| 58,207
| 12,944
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[Memphis Tigers (AFL)|Memphis Tigers]] ([[American Football League (1934)|AFL]])<br>[[Memphis Grizzlies]] ([[World Football League|WFL]])<br>[[Memphis Showboats]] ([[USFL]])<br>[[Memphis Mad Dogs]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]])<br>[[Memphis Maniax]] ([[XFL (2001)|XFL]])<br>[[Memphis Express]] ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
| [[Memphis Grizzlies]] ([[NBA]])<br>
[[Memphis Redbirds]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Memphis 901 FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Memphis Hustle]] ([[NBA G League|G League]])
|-
| [[Birmingham, Alabama]]<ref name="sport_journal"/><ref name="br-pec"/><ref name="NewUSFL"/>
| 1,136,650
| [[Legion Field]]/<br>[[Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex|Protective Stadium]] (2021)
| 71,594/<br>45,000
| 14,307
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[Birmingham Vulcans]] ([[World Football League|WFL]])<br>[[Birmingham Fire]] ([[NFL Europe|WLAF]])<br>[[Birmingham Barracudas]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]])<br>[[Birmingham Thunderbolts]] ([[XFL (2001)|XFL]])<br>[[Team Alabama]] ([[All American Football League|AAFL]])<br>[[Alabama Blackbirds]] ([[United National Gridiron League|UNGL]])<br>[[Birmingham Iron]] ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
| [[Birmingham Barons]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Birmingham Legion FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Birmingham Bulls (SPHL)|Birmingham Bulls]] ([[SPHL]])
|-
| [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]<ref name="si-pec"/><ref name="br-pec"/><ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name="NewUSFL"/><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 1,319,677
| [[Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium|Memorial Stadium]] ([[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]])/<br>[[Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark]]
| 86,112<br>(61,836)/<br>13,066
| -
| -
| [[Oklahoma City Chiefs]] ([[American Football League (1934)|AFL]])<br>[[Oklahoma City Plainsmen]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])<br>[[Oklahoma City Stampede (AFA)|Oklahoma City Stampede]] ([[American Football Association (1977–1983)|AFA]])
| [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] ([[NBA]])<br>
[[Oklahoma City Dodgers]]  ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Oklahoma City Energy]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Oklahoma City Blue]] ([[NBA G League|G League]])
|-
| [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]<ref name="br-pec2"/><ref name="NewUSFL"/><ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 1,140,483
| [[Rice Eccles Stadium]]/<br>[[Rio Tinto Stadium]]
| 45,807/<br>20,213
| 9,067
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[Salt Lake Seagulls]] ([[PCFL]])<br>[[Utah Pioneers (PSFL)|Utah Pioneers]] ([[PSFL]])<br>[[Salt Lake Stallions]] ([[Alliance of American Football|AAF]])
| [[Utah Jazz]] ([[NBA]])<br>[[Real Salt Lake]] ([[MLS]])<br>
[[Salt Lake Bees]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Utah Grizzlies]] ([[ECHL]])<br>[[Real Monarchs]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Salt Lake City Stars]] ([[NBA G League|G League]])
|-
| [[San Jose, California]]<ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 1,894,389
| [[CEFCU Stadium]]/<br>[[Avaya Stadium]]
| 21,520/<br>18,000
| -
| -
|[[San Jose Mustangs]] ([[PCFL]]) <br> [[San Jose Apaches]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[San Jose Tigers]] ([[California Football League (1974-1982)|CaFL II]]) <br> [[San Francisco Demons|San Jose Demons]] ([[XFL (2001)|XFL]])
|[[San Jose Sharks]] ([[NHL]]) <br> [[San Jose Earthquakes]] ([[MLS]]) <br> 
[[San Jose Barracuda]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])
|-
|-
|-
|}
''{{note label|MD|*}} Modified stadium capacity.''

===Mid-level===
* Cities with over 400,000 residents (metropolitan areas).
* High level facilities.
* Not represented by the NFL.
* Top 90 [[List of United States television markets|US media market]].
* High level minor league team in one of the US [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|Major professional sports]]; '''or''' 
: History of professional football in one of the high-level football leagues; '''or''' 
: Deep historical (state) football roots - amateur or pro, preferably with a [[List of NCAA Division I FBS football programs|FBS program]] in the city.
<onlyinclude>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:; text-align:center; width:" 
|+
|-
! rowspan="2" | City
! rowspan="2" | Population <br> (Metro)
! rowspan="2" | Propose Stadium
! rowspan="2" | Capacity<br>{{note label|MD|*}}
! colspan="2" | Market Potential 
! rowspan="2" | Past Pro-Football Teams
! rowspan="2" | Other Pro Sports Teams
|-
! Avg. Att.
! League 
|-
|-
|-
| [[Syracuse, New York]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syracuse.com/news/2018/02/syracuse_freshman_campaigns_to_bring_xfl_football_team_to_the_carrier_dome.html|title=Syracuse University freshman campaigns to bring XFL football to Carrier Dome|first=Jamie Jenson &#124; Contributing|last=writer|date=February 14, 2018|website=syracuse}}</ref>
| 662,577
| [[Carrier Dome]]/<br>[[NBT Bank Stadium]]
| 49,262/<br>11,071
| -
| -
| [[Syracuse Pros]] (Ind.) <br> [[Syracuse Braves]] ([[American Football League (1936)|AFL II]]) <br> [[Syracuse Stormers]] ([[United Football League (1961–1964)|UFL I]])
| [[Syracuse Crunch]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br>[[Syracuse Mets]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Syracuse FC]] ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])
|-
| [[Toledo, Ohio]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/DavidBriggs/2018/01/28/Hey-XFL-how-bout-giving-a-team-to-Toledo/stories/20180128156|title=Hey XFL, how 'bout giving a team to Toledo?|website=Toledo Blade}}</ref>
| 608,145
| [[Glass Bowl]]
| 26,038
| -
| -
| [[Toledo Maroons]] ([[NFL]])<br>[[United Football League (1961–1964)#Toledo Tornadoes|Toledo Tornadoes]] ([[United Football League (1961–1964)|UFL I]])<br>[[Ohio Cannon]] ([[Regional Football League|RFL]])
| [[Toledo Mud Hens]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Toledo Walleye]] ([[ECHL]])
|-
|-
| [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
| 723,801
| [[BB&T Stadium]]
| 21,500
| -
| -
| [[Greensboro Patriots (Dixie League)|Greensboro Patriots]] ([[Dixie League (American football)|Dixie]])
| [[Greensboro Grasshoppers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Greensboro Swarm]] ([[NBA G League|G League]])<br>[[Carolina Cobras (NAL)|Carolina Cobras]] ([[National Arena League|NAL]])<br>[[North Carolina Fusion U23]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Little Rock, Arkansas]]<ref name="MLFB"/>
| 724,385
| [[War Memorial Stadium (Arkansas)|War Memorial Stadium]]/<br>[[Quigley Stadium (Little Rock)|Quigley Stadium]]
| 53,727/<br>15,000
| -
| -
|[[Arkansas Diamonds (AFA)|Arkansas Diamonds]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]], [[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]])<br>[[Arkansas Miners]] ([[PSFL]])<br>[[Team Arkansas]] ([[All American Football League|AAFL]])
| [[Arkansas Travelers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Little Rock Rangers]] ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])
|-
| [[Jackson, Mississippi]]<ref name="NYT-UFL"/>
| 576,382
| [[Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium]]
| 62,512
| -
| -
|[[Mississippi Stars]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]])<br>[[Canadian Football League#Defunct teams|CFL Mississippi]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]])<br>[[Mississippi Pride]] ([[Regional Football League|RFL]])
| [[Mississippi Braves]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Mississippi Brilla]] ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])
|-
| [[Mobile, Alabama]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Mobile-based football team will play in American Patriot League |website=FOX10News |url=https://www.fox10tv.com/news/mobile-based-football-team-will-play-in-american-patriot-league/article_ece52126-ec41-11e8-a98e-97e2f46a555e.html|accessdate=January 20, 2019}}</ref>
| 414,079
| [[Ladd-Peebles Stadium]]
| 40,000<br>(33,471)
| 11,278
| [[Regional Football League|RFL]]<br>(1999)
|[[Mobile Buccaneers]] ([[Southern Football League (1963-1965)|SFL]]) <br> [[Mobile Tarpons]] ([[North American Football League (1965-1966)|NAFL]]) <br> [[Mobile Admirals]] ([[Regional Football League|RFL]]) 
|[[AFC Mobile]] ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])
|-
| [[Shreveport, Louisiana]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aplfootball.us/assets/pr/WPFA-Pro_Football_Announcement_Shreveport.pdf|title=New Professional Football League Announced;Shreveport Joins League}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crayfishnews.com/2019/02/18/editorial-bring-alliance-of-american-football-to-shreveport/|title=[Editorial] Bring Alliance of American Football to Shreveport|date=February 18, 2019}}</ref> 
| 446,471
| [[Independence Stadium (Shreveport)|Independence Stadium]]
| 49,565
| 17,871
| [[Canadian Football League|CFL]]<br>(1995)
| [[Shreveport Steamer]] ([[World Football League|WFL]]) <br> [[Shreveport Americans]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]) <br> [[Shreveport Pirates]] ([[Canadian Football League|CFL]]) <br> [[Shreveport Knights]] ([[Regional Football League|RFL]])<br>[[Louisiana Lancers]] ([[United National Gridiron League|UNGL]])
| 
|-
| [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fansided.com/2018/01/26/xfl-coming-franchise-cities/5/|title=XFL: Coming to a city near you?|date=January 26, 2018}}</ref>
| 961,561
| [[Skelly Field]]
| 30,000
| 20,497
| [[USFL]]<br>(1984)
|[[Tulsa Oilers (AFL)|Tulsa Oilers]] ([[American Football League (1934)|AFL]])<br>[[Tulsa Thunderbirds]] ([[Texas Football League|TFL]]) <br> [[Tulsa Mustangs]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]]) <br> [[Oklahoma Outlaws]] ([[USFL]])
| [[Tulsa Roughnecks (1993–2000)|Tulsa Roughnecks]] ([[USL Championship|USL]]) <br> [[Tulsa Drillers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Tulsa Oilers]] ([[ECHL]])
|-
| [[El Paso, Texas]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://krod.com/will-the-xfl-relaunch-land-in-el-paso/|title=Will the XFL Relaunch Land in El Paso?|first=Steve|last=Kaplowitz|website=600 ESPN El Paso}}</ref>
| 844,818
| [[Sun Bowl (stadium)|Sun Bowl]]
| 51,500
| -
| -
|[[El Paso Jets]] ([[Texas Football League|TFL]]) 
|[[El Paso Locomotive FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]]) <br> [[El Paso Chihuahuas]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) 
|-
| [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]<ref name="spun"/>
| 907,301
| [[Dreamstyle Stadium]]
| 39,224
| -
| -
|[[Albuquerque Thunderbirds (1973)|Albuquerque Thunderbirds]] ([[Southwestern Football League|SWFL]]) <br> [[New Mexico Rattlesnakes]] ([[PSFL]]) 
| [[New Mexico United]] ([[USL Championship|USL]]) <br> [[Albuquerque Isotopes]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Duke City Gladiators]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])
|-
| [[Tucson, Arizona]]<ref name="CFL_USA"/>
| 1,010,025
| [[Arizona Stadium]]
| 50,782
| 9,932<br>{[[Arizona Hotshots|AZ]]}
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| -
|[[Tucson Roadrunners]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) <br> [[Tucson Saguaros]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Tucson Sugar Skulls]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])
|-
| [[Fresno, California]]<ref name="PFS"/>
| 972,297
| [[Bulldog Stadium]]
| 40,727
| -
| -
| [[Fresno Wine Crushers]] ([[California Football League|CaFL]])
| [[Fresno Grizzlies]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Fresno FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
|-
| [[Honolulu|Honolulu, Hawaii]]{{note label|LG|‡}}<ref name="br-pec"/>
| 953,207
| [[Aloha Stadium]]
| 50,000
| 13,040
| [[World Football League|WFL]]<br>(1974)
| [[Hawaiian Warriors]]  ([[PCFL]])<br>[[The Hawaiians (WFL)|The Hawaiians]] ([[World Football League|WFL]])
| -
|-
|-
| [[Monterrey, Mexico]]{{note label|LG|‡}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19144594/second-year-professional-football-league-lfa-tries-gain-foothold-mexico-large-nfl-fan-base|title=Fledgling pro football league courts Mexico's NFL fans|date=April 14, 2017|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/americanfootball-ufl-idUKN0115319220090701|title=UFL eyeing overseas expansion in year two or three|date=July 1, 2009|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/planet-football-top-countries-sport-thriving/story?id=43791082|title=Planet Football: Top countries where the sport is thriving|website=ABC News}}</ref>
| 4,520,329
| [[Estadio Universitario (UANL)]]/<br>[[Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey]]
| 41,615/<br>21,906
| 11,546
| [[Continental Football League|CoFL]]<br>(1969)
| [[Mexico Golden Aztecs]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])<br>[[Monterrey Steel]] ([[National Arena League|NAL]])
| [[Tigres UANL|Tigres]] ([[Liga MX]])<br>
[[Sultanes de Monterrey]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Fundidores Monterrey]] ([[Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional|LFA]])
|}

''{{note label|MD|*}} Modified stadium capacity.''<br>
''{{note label|LG|‡}} Not part of [[Contiguous United States|continental United States]].''

===Borderline Mid-level===
* Cities with over 200,000 residents (metropolitan areas) and over 1 million [[List of states and territories of the United States by population|state residents]].
* Not represented by the NFL.
* Top 125 [[List of United States television markets|US media market]].
* Mid to High level facilities.
* Good minor league market<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Journal/Issues/2017/09/18/Research%20and%20Ratings/Minors.aspx|title=Iowa crashes No. 1|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com:443/en/Journal/Issues/2019/09/23/In%20Depth/Full%20rankings.aspx|title=Full rankings: 2019 minor league markets|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref> for one of the US [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|Major professional sports]]; '''or''' 
: History of professional football in one of the high-level football leagues; '''or''' 
: Deep historical (state) football roots - amateur or pro.
<onlyinclude>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:; text-align:center; width:" 
|+
|-
! rowspan="2" | City
! rowspan="2" | Population <br> (Metro)
! rowspan="2" | Propose Stadium
! rowspan="2" | Capacity<br>{{note label|MD|*}}
! colspan="2" | Market Potential 
! rowspan="2" | Past Pro-Football Teams
! rowspan="2" | Other Pro Sports Teams
|-
! Avg. Att.
! League 
|-
|-
| [[Rochester, New York]]<ref name="CFL_USA"/>
| 1,082,284
| [[Marina Auto Stadium]]
| 13,768
| -
| -
| [[Rochester Jeffersons]] ([[NFL]]) <br> [[Rochester Oxfords]] (Ind.) <br> [[Rochester Braves]] ([[American Football League (1936)|AFL II]]) <br> [[Rochester Tigers]] ([[American Football League (1936)|AFL II]])
| [[Rochester Americans]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br>[[Rochester Razorsharks]] ([[Premier Basketball League|PBL]])<br>[[Rochester Red Wings]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Rochester Rhinos]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Rochester Knighthawks]] ([[National Lacrosse League|NLL]])
|-
| [[Lehigh Valley|Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania]]
| 841,914
| [[Goodman Stadium]]/<br>[[J. Birney Crum Stadium]]
| 16,000/<br>15,000
| -
| -
| [[Wilkes-Barre Barons (Football)|Wilkes-Barre Barons]] ([[Anthracite League|Anthracite]])<br>[[Bethlehem Bears]] ([[Eastern League of Professional Football|Eastern]])<br>[[Wilkes-Barre Panthers]] ([[Eastern Pennsylvania League|EPL]])<br>[[Bethlehem Bulldogs]] ([[American Association (football)|AA]])<br>[[Wilkes-Barre Bullets]] ([[American Association (football)|AA]])
| [[Lehigh Valley Phantoms]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br>[[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Lehigh Valley United]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Lehigh Valley Steelhawks]] ([[National Arena League|NAL]])
|-
| [[Ypsilanti, Michigan]]<br>([[Detroit|Detroit Metro]])<ref name="CFL_USA"/>
| 344,791<br>(4,292,060)
| [[Rynearson Stadium]]
| 30,200
| 27,355
| [[USFL]]<br>(1984)
| [[Ypsilanti Vikings]] ([[Midwest Professional Football League|MPFL]]) <br> [[Detroit Wheels]] ([[World Football League|WFL]])<br>[[Michigan Panthers]] ([[USFL]])<br>[[Michigan Coyotes]] ([[Stars Football League|Stars]])
| [[Michigan Bucks]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Michigan Stars FC]] ([[National Premier Soccer League|NPSL]])<br>[[United Shore Professional Baseball League|USPBL]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])
|-
| [[Canton, Ohio]]<ref name="MLFB">{{cite news |last1=Faris |first1=Nick |title=he dream that won't die: Will a new alternative football league ever last?|url=https://www.thescore.com/xfl/news/1921673|work=theScore|date=January 24, 2020|language=en}}</ref>
| 404,422
| [[Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium|Tom Benson Stadium]]
| 23,000
| -
| -
| [[Canton Bulldogs]] ([[NFL]]) <br> [[Canton Bulldogs (UFL)|Canton Bulldogs]] ([[United Football League (1961–1964)|UFL I]]) <br> [[Canton Centaurs]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[Canton Bulldogs (AFA)|Canton Bulldogs]] ([[American Football Association (1977–1983)|AFA]])<br>[[Ohio Marauders]] ([[United National Gridiron League|UNGL]])
| [[Canton Charge]] ([[NBA G League|G League]])
|-
|-
| [[Fort Wayne, Indiana]]
| 419,453
| [[Parkview Field]]
| 8,100
| -
| -
| [[Fort Wayne Friars]] (Ind.)<br>[[Fort Wayne Pyramids]] (Ind.)<br>[[Fort Wayne Red Devils]] (Ind.)<br>[[Fort Wayne Warriors]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])
| [[Fort Wayne TinCaps]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Fort Wayne Mad Ants]] ([[NBA G League|G League]])<br>[[Fort Wayne Komets]] ([[ECHL]])
|-
| [[Charleston, West Virginia]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smokingmusket.com/2018/1/25/16934140/vince-mcmahon-xfl-xtreme-football-league-relaunch-2020-teams-west-virginia-campaign|title=The Official "Bring The XFL To West Virginia" Campaign Starts Here|first=Michael|last=Miller|date=January 25, 2018|website=The Smoking Musket}}</ref>
| 211,037 
| [[Laidley Field]]
| 18,600
| -
| -
| [[Charleston Rockets]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]]) <br> [[West Virginia Rockets]] ([[American Football Association (1978–1983)|AFA]])
| [[West Virginia Power]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[West Virginia Alliance FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
|-
| [[Greenville, South Carolina]]<ref name="sport_journal"/>
| 895,923
| [[Paladin Stadium]]
| 16,000
| -
| -
| [[Greenville Mountaineers (American football)|Greenville Mountaineers]] ([[South Carolina football league|SCFL]])
| [[Greenville Drive]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Greenville Triumph SC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Greenville Swamp Rabbits]] ([[ECHL]])<br>[[Carolina Predators]] ([[American Arena League|AAL]])
|-
|-
| [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]]<ref name=NYT-UFL>{{cite news|last1=Tanier|first1=Mike|title=A Struggling Football League Skips a Beat and Crowns a Champion|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/sports/football/a-struggling-football-league-skips-a-beat-and-crowns-a-champion.html|date=October 22, 2011}}</ref>
| 547,776
| [[Finley Stadium]]
| 20,668
| -
| -
| [[Chattanooga Cherokees]]  ([[Southern Football League (1963-1965)|SFL]])<br>[[Chattanooga Redskins]] ([[North American Football League (1965-1966)|NAFL]])
| [[Chattanooga Lookouts]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Chattanooga FC]] ([[National Independent Soccer Association|NISA]])<br>[[Chattanooga Red Wolves SC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
|-
| [[Gwinnett County, Georgia]]<br>([[Atlanta metropolitan area|Atlanta Metro]])
| 936,250<br>(5,949,951)
| [[Coolray Field]]
| 10,427
| 10,895<br>{[[Atlanta Legends|Atlanta]]}
| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]<br>(2019)
| [[Atlanta Spartans]] ([[Atlantic Coast Football League|ACFL]])<br>[[Georgia Raiders]] ([[United-American Football League|UAFL]])
| [[Gwinnett Stripers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Atlanta Gladiators]] ([[ECHL]])<br>[[Atlanta United 2]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Georgia Swarm]] ([[National Lacrosse League|NLL]])
|-
| [[Daytona Beach, Florida]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Daytona getting team in new pro football league |publisher=The Daytona Beach News-Journal |url=https://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/20181009/daytona-getting-team-in-new-pro-football-league |accessdate=January 20, 2019}}</ref>
| 609,939
| [[Daytona Stadium]]
| 9,601 <br> (15,000)
| -
| -
| [[Daytona Beach Thunderbirds (1963-1964)|Daytona Beach Thunderbirds]] ([[Southern Football League (1963-1965)|SFL]])<br>[[Daytona Beach Racers]] ([[Stars Football League|Stars]])
| [[Daytona Tortugas]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Daytona SC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Quad Cities]]<ref name="si-pec"/> <br> ([[Illinois]], [[Iowa]])
| 474,937
| [[Almquist Field]]
| 16,000
| -
| -
| [[Rock Island Independents]] ([[NFL]])<br>[[Quad Cities Raiders]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])<br> [[Quad City Mohawks]] ([[Midwest Professional Football League|MPFL]])
| [[Quad Cities River Bandits]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Quad City Storm]] ([[SPHL]]) <br> [[Quad City Steamwheelers (2018–)|Quad City Steamwheelers]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])
|-
| [[Des Moines, Iowa]]<ref name="spun"/><ref name="NYT-UFL"/> 
| 599,789
| [[Drake Stadium (Drake University)|Drake Stadium]]
| 14,557
| -
| -
| [[Des Moines Ford Motors]] (Ind.) <br> [[Des Moines Comets]] ([[Northwest Football League (1935-1937)|NWFL]]) <br> [[Des Moines Warriors]] ([[Professional Football League of America (1965-1966)|PFLA]]) <br> [[Des Moines Vikings]] ([[Midwest Professional Football League|MPFL]])
| [[Iowa Wild]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) <br> [[Iowa Cubs]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Iowa Wolves]] ([[NBA G League|G League]]) <br> [[Iowa Barnstormers]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]]) <br> [[Des Moines Menace]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
| [[Wichita, Kansas]]<ref name="NYT-UFL"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/wichita/stories/2000/04/17/story3.html|title=Sports study: Wichita could support NFL team}}</ref> 
| 644,888
| [[Cessna Stadium]]
| 24,000
| -
| -
| 
| [[Wichita Wind Surge]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]]) <br> [[Wichita Thunder]] ([[ECHL]]) <br> [[Wichita Force]] ([[Champions Indoor Football|CIF]]) 
|-
|-
| [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]]
| 738,939
| [[Falcon Stadium]]
| 46,692
| -
| -
| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gazette.com/woodmenedition/pro-football-in-the-springs-part-of-from-the-sidelines/article_21d96614-0279-11ea-8bd3-bf90bd6c366e.html|title=Pro football in the Springs (part 1 of 2) - From the Sidelines}}</ref>
| [[Rocky Mountain Vibes]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])
|-
|-
| [[Bakersfield, California]]<ref name="PFS">{{cite news |last1=Ewing |first1=Zach|title=New pro football league places team in Bakersfield|url=https://www.bakersfield.com/sports/local-report-new-pro-football-league-places-team-in-bakersfield/article_0b3d5c20-3ea2-50be-bf19-8c47c6012f0c.html|work=The Bakersfield Californian|date=July 22, 2014|language=en}}</ref>
| 839,631
| [[Memorial Stadium (Bakersfield)|Memorial Stadium]]
| 23,468<br>(19,468)
| -
| -
| 
| [[Bakersfield Condors]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]])<br>[[Bakersfield Train Robbers]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])
|-
|-
| [[Reno, Nevada]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2016/08/10/raiders-relocation-could-include-reno-training-camp/88547986/|title=Raiders relocation could include Reno training camp|first=Seth A.|last=Richardson|website=Reno Gazette Journal}}</ref>
| 425,417
| [[Mackay Stadium]]
| 30,000
| -
| -
| [[Reno A.C.]] (Ind.)
| [[Reno Aces]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Reno 1868 FC]] ([[USL Championship|USL]])<br>[[Reno Express]] ([[American West Football Conference|AWFC]])
|-
|-
| [[Boise, Idaho]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://idahobusiness.net/idaho-get-nfl-team/|title=Should Idaho Get an NFL Team?}}</ref>
| 709,845
| [[Bronco Stadium]]
| 36,387
| -
| -
| 
| [[Boise Hawks]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Idaho Steelheads]] ([[ECHL]])<br>[[Idaho Horsemen]] ([[American West Football Conference|AWFC]])
|-
| [[Spokane, Washington]]
| 547,924
| [[Joe Albi Stadium]]
| 28,646
| -
| -
| [[Spokane Manlowes]] ([[Northwest War Industries League|WIFL]])<br>[[Spokane Shockers]] ([[Continental Football League|CoFL]])
| [[Spokane Indians]] ([[Minor League Baseball|MiLB]])<br>[[Spokane Shock]] ([[Indoor Football League|IFL]])
|-
|-
|-
|-
|}
{{noteslist}}

''{{note label|MD|*}} Modified stadium capacity.''

== Minor American football proposed cities ==

{{Location map+ |United States |width=1100|float=center|caption=Locations of teams — [[File:Red pog.svg|8px]] High-level Minor [[File:Orange pog.svg|8px]] Borderline High-level Minor [[File:green pog.svg|8px]] Mid-level Minor [[File:Blue pog.svg|8px]] Borderline Mid-level Minor.
'''Not shown:''' [[File:green pog.svg|8px]] [[Honolulu|Honolulu, Hawaiʻi]]
|places=

{{Location map~ |United States |lat=39.983333 |long=-82.983333 |label=[[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]]|position=bottom |mark=Red pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=38.632778 |long=-90.188611 |label=[[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]]|position=top|mark=Red pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=28.5383 |long=-81.3792 |label=[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]]|position=bottom |mark=Red pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=29.4241 |long=-98.4936 |label=[[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]]|position=top |mark=Red pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=45.5122 |long=-122.6587 |label=[[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]|position=bottom |mark=Red pog.svg}}
{{Location map~ |United States |lat=32.7157 |long=-117.1611 |label=[[San Diego, California|San Diego]]|position=top |mark=Red pog.svg}}
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== Other Markets ==
'''[[Boston, Massachusetts]]''' - "Beantown" is the [[List of metropolitan statistical areas|largest US city]] and biggest TV market<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mediatracks.com/resources/nielsen-dma-rankings-2019/|title=Nielsen DMA Rankings 2019}}</ref> not represented in the NFL, and is the ninth highest media market in the US, and fifth on the east coast. Over the years there was three separate attempts to establish NFL team in the city - [[Boston Bulldogs (AFL)|Boston Bulldogs]], [[History of the Washington Redskins#Establishment in Boston (1932 to 1936)|Boston Braves]] and [[Boston Yanks]] - but all of them failed and relocated or disbanded after short period. Today the "local" team considered to be the [[New England Patriots]] which sits at [[Foxboro, Massachusetts]], but branded as a area team for the [[New England]] region. The last attempt to establish a pro team was the [[Boston Brawlers]] of the now defunct [[Fall Experimental Football League|FXFL]], but it failed miserably at the gate and relocated after its inaugural season.

'''[[Providence, Rhode Island]]''' - The [[Rhode Island]] state capital is highest [[gross domestic product|GPD]] (nominal) per capita [[Metropolitan statistical area|U.S. metropolitan area]] without a [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|major team]]. Providence also had a very successful history in pro football, as the [[Providence Steamrollers (NFL)|Providence Steamrollers]] won the [[1928 NFL season|1928]] NFL [[History of the National Football League championship|championship]], but suspend operations in the [[Great Depression]]. However, the [[New England Patriots]] of [[Foxboro, Massachusetts]] is probably the reason no other team called the city home since 1960, as they actually slightly closer to Providence then to [[Boston]] and, as mentioned earlier, branded as a area team for the [[New England]] region.

'''[[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]''' - Wisconsin has a lot of love for its state football teams - the [[Wisconsin Badgers football|Wisconsin Badgers]] and the NFL's [[Green Bay Packers]], which previously hosted games in the now defunct [[Milwaukee County Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://shepherdexpress.com/news/milwaukee-history/how-the-packers-kept-milwaukee-a-one-team-town/#/questions|title=How the Packers Kept Milwaukee a One-Team Town}}</ref> The city even had its own team - the [[Milwaukee Badgers|Badgers]] - from 1922 to 1926. Today, Milwaukee no longer hold a college football team at [[NCAA Division I|D-I]] or [[NCAA Division II|D-II]] level, after their decline in the 70's, and therefore don't hold a suitable stadium to host a pro team because the new [[Miller Park]] isn't [[Miller Park#Pro football|big enough]] to have a football layout.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/business/57272617.html|title=More pro football in Milwaukee?|website=archive.jsonline.com}}</ref>

'''[[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]''' - Louisiana's [[List of municipalities in Louisiana|second-largest city]] (after [[New Orleans]]) is often mentioned as a potential target for the pro football team, but past attempts have always been unsuccessful. There's a main reason for it: the fact that it is the [[LSU Tigers]] stomping ground with the addition of [[historically black colleges and universities|HBCUs]] powerhouse [[Southern Jaguars]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitbatonrouge.com/events/football/|title=Football in Baton Rouge &#124; Find Events, Info, & Resources|website=www.visitbatonrouge.com}}</ref> Because of that, most minor league franchises fail, and as of 2020, Louisiana is the only state in [[continental US]] with no [[MiLB]] team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stevetheump.com/minor_league_teams.htm|title=Minor League Baseball Teams by State / MiLB Champs|website=www.stevetheump.com}}</ref> Therefore, other leagues usually preferred [[Sports in Shreveport-Bossier#American football|Shreveport–Bossier market]] and the mostly unused [[Independence Stadium (Shreveport)|Independence Stadium]].

'''[[Austin, Texas]]''' - The State Capital of [[Texas]] could rival any other city with its appetite for football, and it would be only the second pro teams in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/texas/articles/austin-texas-is-the-largest-us-city-without-a-pro-sports-team/|title=Austin, Texas is the Largest US City Without a Pro Sports Team|first=Michael|last=LoRé|website=Culture Trip}}</ref> Alas, most efforts are likely to fail, as any football would have to rival the big show in town – the [[Texas Longhorns football]] team. Also, its proximity to San Antonio will probably nix most attempts.<ref name=si-pec>{{cite news|last1=Staff|first1=Monday Morning Quarterback|title=Which Cities Would Deserve the Newest NFL Expansion Team?|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/06/07/expansion-cities-san-diego-portland-montreal-oklahoma-city-bismarck-anchorage|date=June 7, 2019}}</ref>

'''[[Las Vegas|Las Vegas, Nevada]]''' - "Sin City" is a booming tourist destination that was ready to be major league for a long time, and three separate leagues dipped their toes in the market ([[Las Vegas Posse|CFL]], [[Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL)|XFL]] and the [[Las Vegas Locomotives|UFL]]). The problem? other major leagues took notice, and put the city on top of their expansion/relocation list, including the NFL [[Las Vegas Raiders|Raiders]] that now call Las Vegas home.

'''[[Ohio]]''' - The Buckeye State has deep Pro Football roots, as the state was home to five of the 14 original teams in the NFL inaugural season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ohiohistory.org/learn/ohio-champion-of-sports/2019-04/ohio-nfl-history|title=Honoring Ohio's Early Pro Football Roots}}</ref> [[Akron]]<ref name="NewUSFL"/> and [[Dayton]]<ref name="sport_journal"/> are probably the other biggest candidates, but their proximity to an NFL markets ([[Cleveland]] and [[Cincinnati]] respectively), and the lack of success of other minor league franchises, will probably make them a secondary option at best. Another possibility is [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown]], but the low [[Disposable and discretionary income|available personal income]] and bad modern-tradition as a minor league market,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://beltmag.com/fate-mahoning-valley-scrappers-baseball/|title=The Fate of the Scrappers}}</ref> will stop most efforts at initial stages.

'''[[New York (state)|New York]]''' - [[Upstate New York]] built its reputation around a strong "[[sandlot football]]" circuit, and has a storied football history that is far older than the National Football League. The northern circuit succeeded in recruiting the country's best college players, was part in the "birth of Pro-Football" and invented the [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving]] football. The early leagues had teams in [[Rochester Jeffersons|Rochester]], [[Buffalo (NFL)|Buffalo]], [[Syracuse Pros|Syracuse]] and even in [[Tonawanda Kardex Lumbermen|Tonawanda]] and [[Watertown Red & Black|Watertown]], while the more modern leagues featured teams in [[Boroughs of New York City|NYC five boroughs]].<ref name="CFL_USA"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2016/2/3/10942384/new-york-football-history-super-bowl|title=NFL in NYC: pro football's history in the five boroughs}}</ref> Today, the state capital [[Albany, New York|Albany]] and [[Long Island]] are probably the other candidates for professional market, as they both proved to support minor teams and have suitable facilities (the [[Bob Ford Field]] and the [[Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium]], respectively).

'''[[Florida]]''' - The Sunshine State is typically a hotbed of football talent, and with 10 [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] football schools, the state year-round appetite for the game is insatiable. Combine with the warm weather in the area, the abundance of fans who plan their vacations according to [[spring training]] and the great facilities state wide, practically every city with 100,000 residents or more is a potential for a professional market. [[Tallahassee, Florida|Tallahassee]] is probably the biggest candidate with two suitable stadiums ([[Doak Campbell Stadium]] and [[Bragg Memorial Stadium]]), but [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]] ([[Central Broward Regional Park]] or the future [[Miami Freedom Park]]) and [[Fort Myers]] ([[JetBlue Park]]) are not far behind. Another option is [[Pensacola, Florida|Pensacola]], but the lack of suitable venue will probably deter most endeavors.

'''[[Canada]]''' - The roots of the game in Canada run deep, with the first documented football game in country taking place in 1861, eight years before the first game in the United States. The first attempt of "northern expansion" was in 1964 with the [[Quebec Rifles]] (later moved [[Toronto]]) in the [[United Football League (1961–1964)|original United Football League]], but it wasn't the last. Over the years, there were [[List of gridiron football teams in Canada#American football|four total teams]] that called Canada home - [[Montreal Beavers]] and the [[Victoria Steelers]] joined the [[Continental Football League|CoFL]] in 1966 and 1967 (respectively), while the [[World League of American Football]] [[Montreal Machine]] was the last one to play in 1992. Nevertheless, the team that had the most impact on future endeavors has been the [[World Football League|WFL's]] [[Toronto Northmen]], who never played a game in the city, but triggered the [[Canadian Football Act]] - which gives a government-protected [[monopoly]] over professional football in Canada to the [[Canadian Football League]] (CFL). The legislation never passed, but discouraged most future attempts.

==External links==
* [https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/08/12/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Spring-football.aspx Can spring football ever work?]
* [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-owners-coaches-say-a-developmental-league-is-needed-and-heres-whats-brewing/ NFL owners, coaches say a developmental league is needed]
* [https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1174271-nfl-minor-leagues-what-needs-to-be-done-to-help-develop-talent-in-the-nfl#slide0 NFL Minor Leagues: What Needs to Be Done to Help Develop Talent in the NFL]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/columnist/bell/2019/04/06/aaf-death-nfl-football-needs-another-league-survive/3387292002/ Football needs another successful league to survive, for the good of the game]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2019/04/03/aaf-joins-xfl-usfl-wfl-start-up-pro-football-leagues-failed/3349422002/ Alliance of American Football is just the latest in a long line of failed start-up leagues]
* [https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2019/09/23/In-Depth/Methodology.aspx Minor league markets rank: Methodology]
* [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-to-present-formal-proposals-for-a-developmental-league-in-2017/ NFL to present formal proposals for a developmental league in 2017]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

{{American football in the United States}}
{{Professional American football leagues}}

[[:Category:American football competitions]]
[[:Category:Minor and developmental leagues in professional sports]]
[[:Category:Defunct American football leagues in the United States]]
[[:Category:Semi-professional American football]]
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