Many people have thought that Columbus, Ohio, could never have a professional football team because of the area being so fiercely loyal to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Now, it appears that we’re going to find out the viability of putting a pro team in the area.
Last week, the UFL made the challenging decision to axe three of its franchises in Michigan, Memphis, and San Antonio. Now, the League has welcomed in three more: the Columbus Aviators, the Louisville Kings, and the Orlando Storm.
“Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League,” Mike Repole, co-owner of the UFL, said in a press release, according to Pro Football Talk. “Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando are true football cities with deep sports roots.
“We’re proud to bring professional football to these communities — in energetic, fan-driven stadiums built to create an authentic gameday experience and strengthen the foundation of this league for years to come.”
The Columbus Aviators are set to play thier games in Historic Crew Stadium, the previoius home of the city’s MLS team, the Columbus Crew.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“These games could be played in a Walmart parking lot and they still wouldn’t sell out. It’s to the nfl what liv golf is to the pga. No one watches it because it’s a crap product,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Canton really should have a team,” someone else added.
It’ll be interesting to see how successful the aviators are.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.