I'm cross-posting this in the three Expansion forums. Forgive me. This is a list of the metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada that contain over one million population according to the 2011 U.S. and Canadian Census data. Additionally, I've added three markets closing in on one million, El Paso (which like other border markets only includes U.S. population), and other cities with professional clubs. Additionally I've noted how long each market has had a team at its current highest level. Hopefully this list is a good reference point when discussing various markets. The U.S. data is for Combined Statistical Areas for markets with multiple Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The deltas are between the 2010 Census data and the 2011 Census estimates. Code: Rk Current Metropolitan Area 2011 Census change 1 D1 1996 New York 22,214,083 0.58% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 2 D1 1996 Los Angeles 18,081,569 1.14% MLB NBA NHL MLS 3 D1 1998 Chicago 9,729,825 0.45% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 4 D1 1996 Washington-Baltimore 8,718,083 1.69% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 5 D1 1996 Boston 7,601,061 0.56% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 6 D1 2008 San Jose (Bay Area) 7,563,460 1.27% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 7 D1 1996 Dallas-Fort Worth 6,887,383 2.32% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 8 D1 2010 Philadelphia 6,562,287 0.44% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 9 D1 2006 Houston 6,191,434 2.31% NFL MLB NBA MLS 10 D2 2011 Atlanta 5,712,148 1.67% NFL MLB NBA 11 D2 2006 Miami-Ft Lauderdale 5,670,125 1.90% NFL MLB NBA NHL 12 D1 2007 Toronto 5,583,064 CFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 13 Detroit (U.S. only) 5,207,434 -0.22% NFL MLB NBA NHL 14 D1 2009 Seattle 4,269,349 1.67% NFL MLB MLS 15 Phoenix 4,262,236 1.65% NFL MLB NBA NHL 16 D1 2012 Montreal 3,824,221 CFL NHL MLS 17 D2 1995 Minneapolis-St. Paul 3,655,558 1.10% NFL MLB NBA NHL 18 D1 1996 Denver 3,157,520 2.16% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 19 San Diego (U.S. only) 3,140,069 1.45% NFL MLB 20 St. Louis 2,882,932 0.16% NFL MLB NHL 21 Cleveland 2,871,084 -0.38% NFL MLB NBA 22 D3 2011 Orlando 2,861,296 1.53% NBA 23 D2 2010 Tampa (Bay Area) 2,824,724 1.49% NFL MLB NHL 24 Sacramento 2,489,230 1.12% NBA 25 D2 2004 San Juan 2,478,905 26 D3 2008 Pittsburgh 2,450,281 0.12% NFL MLB NHL 27 D3 2004 Charlotte 2,442,564 1.66% NFL NBA 28 D1 2011 Vancouver 2,313,328 CFL NHL MLS 29 D1 2011 Portland 2,262,605 1.64% NBA MLS 30 D2 2012 San Antonio 2,194,927 2.45% NBA 31 Cincinnati 2,179,965 0.36% NFL MLB 32 D1 1996 Kansas City 2,122,908 0.86% NFL MLB MLS 33 Indianapolis 2,103,574 1.10% NFL NBA 34 D1 1996 Columbus 2,093,185 1.07% NHL MLS 35 Las Vegas 2,013,326 0.91% 36 Austin 1,826,636 3.84% 37 D2 2007 Raleigh-Durham 1,795,750 2.64% NHL 38 D1 2005 Salt Lake City 1,776,528 1.81% NBA MLS 39 Milwaukee 1,757,604 0.36% NFL MLB NBA 40 Nashville 1,698,651 1.66% NFL NHL 41 Virginia Beach 1,679,894 0.49% 42 Greensboro Triad 1,602,693 0.85% 43 Louisville 1,440,607 0.92% 44 Jacksonville, FL 1,360,251 1.09% NFL 45 Oklahoma City 1,348,333 1.96% NBA 46 Hartford 1,331,406 0.04% 47 Grand Rapids 1,328,440 0.52% 48 Memphis 1,325,605 0.72% NBA 49 Greenville SC 1,281,394 1.14% 50 D3 2006 Richmond 1,269,380 0.88% 51 New Orleans 1,238,228 1.92% NFL NBA 52 Ottawa 1,235,324 NHL 53 Calgary 1,214,839 CFL NHL 54 Buffalo (U.S. only) 1,213,871 -0.16% NFL NHL 55 Birmingham 1,212,800 0.36% 56 Albany 1,168,120 -0.03% 57 D2 2010 Edmonton 1,159,869 CFL NHL 58 D3 2011 Rochester 1,150,469 0.07% 59 Fresno 1,095,829 1.34% 60 D3 2011 Dayton 1,075,683 0.26% 61 Knoxville 1,063,354 0.78% 62 Tulsa 998,438 1.01% 63 Tuscon 989,569 0.95% 64 Honolulu 963,607 1.09% El Paso (U.S. only) 820,970 2.54% Winnipeg 730,105 CFL NHL D3 2004 Harrisburg, PA 687,222 0.61% D3 2010 Charleston, SC 682,121 2.64% D3 2011 Wilmington, NC 369,685 2.03% D3 2011 St. George, Antigua U.S./Mexico cross-border metro areas Tijuana - San Diego 5,009,170 El Paso - Juarez 2,461,538 Reynosa - McAllen 1,700,000 Updated - Aug 25, 2012
According to Wikipedia: San Juan's metro area has a population of 2,478,905. Right between Pittsburgh and Sacramento. Yeah, I know, Puerto Rico. But I got a soft spot for the Islanders.
Within the top 25, by 2014 Sacramento will be the only town with zero big four sports teams. I think its the darkhorse city for MLS team 22, 23, or 24.
Are the Kings moving for realz? At the rate things are going Sacramento will be passed by Austin, and they don't have any of the Big Four, nor do they have professional soccer at the current moment.
Thanks, I'll update my stats. I hadn't checked to see if Bayamon was part of the San Juan metro area.
Yup Kings are leaving. Everything set except for the announcement. I don't have time to get you links but Maloofs said no to arena deal last week that city was ready to do. They have been basically bargaining in bad faith for a year. After next season they are gone. Shame too because the good people of the Central Valley will show up for pro sports if the ownership is committed and the product is semi-competitive.
I'm cross-posting this in the three Expansion forums. Forgive me. This is a list of the metropolitan areas in the U.S. and Canada that contain over one million population according to the 2011 U.S. and Canadian Census data. Additionally, I've added three markets closing in on one million, El Paso (which like other border markets only includes U.S. population), and other cities with professional clubs. Additionally I've noted how long each market has had a team at its current highest level. Hopefully this list is a good reference point when discussing various markets. The U.S. data is for Combined Statistical Areas for markets with multiple Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The deltas are between the 2010 Census data and the 2011 Census estimates. Code: Rk Current Metropolitan Area 2011 Census change 1 D1 1996 New York 22,214,083 0.58% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 2 D1 1996 Los Angeles 18,081,569 1.14% MLB NBA NHL MLS 3 D1 1998 Chicago 9,729,825 0.45% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 4 D1 1996 Washington-Baltimore 8,718,083 1.69% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 5 D1 1996 Boston 7,601,061 0.56% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 6 D1 2008 San Jose (Bay Area) 7,563,460 1.27% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 7 D1 1996 Dallas-Fort Worth 6,887,383 2.32% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 8 D1 2010 Philadelphia 6,562,287 0.44% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 9 D1 2006 Houston 6,191,434 2.31% NFL MLB NBA MLS 10 D2 2011 Atlanta 5,712,148 1.67% NFL MLB NBA 11 D2 2006 Miami-Ft Lauderdale 5,670,125 1.90% NFL MLB NBA NHL 12 D1 2007 Toronto 5,583,064 MLB NBA NHL MLS 13 Detroit (U.S. only) 5,207,434 -0.22% NFL MLB NBA NHL 14 D1 2009 Seattle 4,269,349 1.67% NFL MLB MLS 15 Phoenix 4,262,236 1.65% NFL MLB NBA NHL 16 D1 2012 Montreal 3,824,221 NHL MLS 17 D2 1995 Minneapolis-St. Paul 3,655,558 1.10% NFL MLB NBA NHL 18 D1 1996 Denver 3,157,520 2.16% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 19 San Diego (U.S. only) 3,140,069 1.45% NFL MLB 20 St. Louis 2,882,932 0.16% NFL MLB NHL 21 Cleveland 2,871,084 -0.38% NFL MLB NBA 22 D3 2011 Orlando 2,861,296 1.53% NBA 23 D2 2010 Tampa (Bay Area) 2,824,724 1.49% NFL MLB NHL 24 Sacramento 2,489,230 1.12% NBA 25 D2 2004 San Juan 2,478,905 26 D3 2008 Pittsburgh 2,450,281 0.12% NFL MLB NHL 27 D3 2004 Charlotte 2,442,564 1.66% NFL NBA 28 D1 2011 Vancouver 2,313,328 NHL MLS 29 D1 2011 Portland 2,262,605 1.64% NBA MLS 30 D2 2012 San Antonio 2,194,927 2.45% NFL NBA 31 Cincinnati 2,179,965 0.36% NFL MLB 32 D1 1996 Kansas City 2,122,908 0.86% NFL MLB MLS 33 Indianapolis 2,103,574 1.10% NFL NBA 34 D1 1996 Columbus 2,093,185 1.07% NHL MLS 35 Las Vegas 2,013,326 0.91% 36 Austin 1,826,636 3.84% 37 D2 2007 Raleigh-Durham 1,795,750 2.64% NHL 38 D1 2005 Salt Lake City 1,776,528 1.81% NBA MLS 39 Milwaukee 1,757,604 0.36% NFL MLB NBA 40 Nashville 1,698,651 1.66% NFL NHL 41 Virginia Beach 1,679,894 0.49% 42 Greensboro Triad 1,602,693 0.85% 43 Louisville 1,440,607 0.92% 44 Jacksonville, FL 1,360,251 1.09% NFL 45 Oklahoma City 1,348,333 1.96% NBA 46 Hartford 1,331,406 0.04% 47 Grand Rapids 1,328,440 0.52% 48 Memphis 1,325,605 0.72% NBA 49 Greenville SC 1,281,394 1.14% 50 D3 2006 Richmond 1,269,380 0.88% 51 New Orleans 1,238,228 1.92% NFL NBA 52 Ottawa 1,235,324 NHL 53 Calgary 1,214,839 NHL 54 Buffalo (U.S. only) 1,213,871 -0.16% NFL NHL 55 Birmingham 1,212,800 0.36% 56 Albany 1,168,120 -0.03% 57 D2 2010 Edmonton 1,159,869 NHL 58 D3 2011 Rochester 1,150,469 0.07% 59 Fresno 1,095,829 1.34% 60 D3 2011 Dayton 1,075,683 0.26% 61 Knoxville 1,063,354 0.78% 62 Tulsa 998,438 1.01% 63 Tuscon 989,569 0.95% 64 Honolulu 963,607 1.09% El Paso (U.S. only) 820,970 2.54% Winnipeg 730,105 NHL D3 2004 Harrisburg, PA 687,222 0.61% D3 2010 Charleston, SC 682,121 2.64% D3 2011 Wilmington, NC 369,685 2.03% D3 2011 St. George, Antigua EDIT: I do have the cross-border metro populations involving Mexico: Code: Tijuana - San Diego 5,009,170 El Paso - Juarez 2,461,538 As far as Canada, Windsor has a population of around 350k, and the Golden horseshoe between Buffalo and Toronto has as least a couple of million stretched out along the lake. It all depends on where you draw the line.
Here's the top markets without professional soccer Code: Rk Current Metropolitan Area 2011 Census change 13 Detroit (U.S. only) 5,207,434 -0.22% NFL MLB NBA NHL 15 Phoenix 4,262,236 1.65% NFL MLB NBA NHL 19 San Diego (U.S. only) 3,140,069 1.45% NFL MLB 20 St. Louis 2,882,932 0.16% NFL MLB NHL 21 Cleveland 2,871,084 -0.38% NFL MLB NBA 24 Sacramento 2,489,230 1.12% NBA 31 Cincinnati 2,179,965 0.36% NFL MLB 33 Indianapolis 2,103,574 1.10% NFL NBA 35 Las Vegas 2,013,326 0.91% 36 Austin 1,826,636 3.84% 39 Milwaukee 1,757,604 0.36% NFL MLB NBA 40 Nashville 1,698,651 1.66% NFL NHL El Paso (U.S. only) 820,970 2.54% Edit: San Jose's greater metro area of 5 million does have a Mexican Primera team.
Phoenix also has the NHL. Austin has the University of Texas Longhorns which is probably the equivalent of having one or two pro teams in the city (Texas Longhorns have football and basketball teams)
Also to add about Canadian teams CFL teams (average 27K fans) Vancouver Calgary Edmonton Saskatchewan Winnipeg Hamilton Toronto Montreal Ottawa 2014.
As I said on the other thread, the Metropolitan Areas of North America including Puerto Rico and the Carribean markets currently in USL. In the US, Metropolitan Areas are anchored by at least 1 settlment with a 50,000 population. Micropolitan areas (µSA) are areas which show characteristics of an MSA (where the surrounding area relies upon one settlement) but the anchor settlement has 10,000-50,000. This is why Carson City is an MSA (it's basically just the city) and why Seaford, DE is a µSA. In Canada, all census agglomerations are essentially created equal. The difference is that the top 25 or 30 are called CMAs. Similar rules apply up there though. The region/division columns are based somewhat upon the US Census regions. In the Northeast and Northwest, I've included the relevant Canadian provinces also. Region 5 is for the Carribean so as to give Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Antigua a region. Finally, the Canadian census population numbers are from 2001 and 2011, the US population numbers are from 2000 and 2010. Best I can do. Now with added CFL.
Update Code: Rk Current Metropolitan Area 2011 Census change 1 D1 1996 New York 22,214,083 0.58% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 2 D1 1996 Los Angeles 18,081,569 1.14% MLB NBA NHL MLS 3 D1 1998 Chicago 9,729,825 0.45% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 4 D1 1996 Washington-Baltimore 8,718,083 1.69% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 5 D1 1996 Boston 7,601,061 0.56% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 6 D1 2008 San Jose (Bay Area) 7,563,460 1.27% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 7 D1 1996 Dallas-Fort Worth 6,887,383 2.32% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 8 D1 2010 Philadelphia 6,562,287 0.44% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 9 D1 2006 Houston 6,191,434 2.31% NFL MLB NBA MLS 10 D2 2011 Atlanta 5,712,148 1.67% NFL MLB NBA 11 D2 2006 Miami-Ft Lauderdale 5,670,125 1.90% NFL MLB NBA NHL 12 D1 2007 Toronto 5,583,064 CFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 13 Detroit (U.S. only) 5,207,434 -0.22% NFL MLB NBA NHL 14 D1 2009 Seattle 4,269,349 1.67% NFL MLB MLS 15 Phoenix 4,262,236 1.65% NFL MLB NBA 16 D1 2012 Montreal 3,824,221 CFL NHL MLS 17 D2 1995 Minneapolis-St. Paul 3,655,558 1.10% NFL MLB NBA NHL 18 D1 1996 Denver 3,157,520 2.16% NFL MLB NBA NHL MLS 19 San Diego (U.S. only) 3,140,069 1.45% NFL MLB 20 St. Louis 2,882,932 0.16% NFL MLB NHL 21 Cleveland 2,871,084 -0.38% NFL MLB NBA 22 D3 2011 Orlando 2,861,296 1.53% NBA 23 D2 2010 Tampa (Bay Area) 2,824,724 1.49% NFL MLB NHL 24 Sacramento 2,489,230 1.12% NBA 25 D2 2004 San Juan 2,478,905 26 D3 2008 Pittsburgh 2,450,281 0.12% NFL MLB NHL 27 D3 2004 Charlotte 2,442,564 1.66% NFL NBA 28 D1 2011 Vancouver 2,313,328 CFL NHL MLS 29 D1 2011 Portland 2,262,605 1.64% NBA MLS 30 D2 2012 San Antonio 2,194,927 2.45% NFL NBA 31 Cincinnati 2,179,965 0.36% NFL MLB 32 D1 1996 Kansas City 2,122,908 0.86% NFL MLB MLS 33 Indianapolis 2,103,574 1.10% NFL NBA 34 D1 1996 Columbus 2,093,185 1.07% NHL MLS 35 Las Vegas 2,013,326 0.91% 36 Austin 1,826,636 3.84% 37 D2 2007 Raleigh-Durham 1,795,750 2.64% NHL 38 D1 2005 Salt Lake City 1,776,528 1.81% NBA MLS 39 Milwaukee 1,757,604 0.36% NFL MLB NBA 40 Nashville 1,698,651 1.66% NFL NHL 41 Virginia Beach 1,679,894 0.49% 42 Greensboro Triad 1,602,693 0.85% 43 Louisville 1,440,607 0.92% 44 Jacksonville, FL 1,360,251 1.09% NFL 45 Oklahoma City 1,348,333 1.96% NBA 46 Hartford 1,331,406 0.04% 47 Grand Rapids 1,328,440 0.52% 48 Memphis 1,325,605 0.72% NBA 49 Greenville SC 1,281,394 1.14% 50 D3 2006 Richmond 1,269,380 0.88% 51 New Orleans 1,238,228 1.92% NFL NBA 52 Ottawa 1,235,324 NHL 53 Calgary 1,214,839 CFL NHL 54 Buffalo (U.S. only) 1,213,871 -0.16% NFL NHL 55 Birmingham 1,212,800 0.36% 56 Albany 1,168,120 -0.03% 57 D2 2010 Edmonton 1,159,869 CFL NHL 58 D3 2011 Rochester 1,150,469 0.07% 59 Fresno 1,095,829 1.34% 60 D3 2011 Dayton 1,075,683 0.26% 61 Knoxville 1,063,354 0.78% 62 Tulsa 998,438 1.01% 63 Tuscon 989,569 0.95% 64 Honolulu 963,607 1.09% El Paso (U.S. only) 820,970 2.54% Winnipeg 730,105 CFL NHL D3 2004 Harrisburg, PA 687,222 0.61% D3 2010 Charleston, SC 682,121 2.64% D3 2011 Wilmington, NC 369,685 2.03% D3 2011 St. George, Antigua U.S./Mexico cross-border metro areas Tijuana - San Diego 5,009,170 El Paso - Juarez 2,461,538 Reynosa - McAllen 1,700,000
Nah. Sacramento is Earthquakes territory. Besides - do people realize it's regularly in the 90's and 100's in the summer here? Not exactly good soccer weather.
Nah. Sacramento is Earthquakes territory. Besides - do people realize it's regularly in the 90's and 100's in the summer here? Not exactly good soccer weather. And the Kings are still in town. ____________________________________ 1. The Quakes marketing is zero in the central valley. Very few people in the central valley go see the Quakes. Ask quakes ticket sales. 2. People here want Orlando and other Southern teams to get a team, as if their summers are BETTER than Sacramento? Please. http://www.rssweather.com/climate/California/Sacramento/ And there is little summer humidity in the central valley to magnify the feel of any heat there is. 3. The Kings are dead man walking http://bayarea.sbnation.com/sacrame...ena-controversy-the-maloofs-kevin-johnson-and By 2014 Sac will be the only top 25 market with zero big four pro sports teams Totally unsaturated market.
Come back when they've actually moved. Seriously, that doesn't mean squat. Shit, they were taking season ticket deposits in Hamilton for the Nashville Predators a few years ago. Before that, the White Sox were guaranteed to be gone to Tampa. Hell Topp's put out a run of "Nationals" cards for the San Diego Padres in 1973 or 1974 because they were gone to Washington. The number of dead and gone sports franchises that somehow never got around to leaving is a longer list than the actual relocations - and I say this as a former Kansas City Kings fan. Frankly your point is better off without going on about Sacramento being the biggest without any of the big four. The Sacramento metro area is plenty big enough to support a Big four team AND an MLS team. And at current growth rates, it won't be terribly long before Austin passes Sacramento anyway.