The NHL is going to add a 33rd team in Texas and is actively vetting proposals from Phoenix and Atlanta for the 34th but in all likelihood will add both plus a 36th TBD team.

This begs the question of should MLB, NBA, MLS, and the NFL consider doing likewise?

We know the NBA is headed towards 32 with Seattle and Vegas but I think there are plenty of other capable markets out there—Vancouver, KC, St Louis, and San Diego all jump out.

The MLS probably needs the least encouraging—they’ve never really shied from expansion.

I think one of the outcomes of the next MLB CBA and lockout will be expansion and while I think they will just take 2, I imagine there’s 6 markets out there who could make a pitch and support a team.

Then we come to the NFL, probably the most reluctant to grow. There are a lot of top 30 markets they aren’t in: 15. Orlando, 20. Sacramento, 22. Raleigh, 23. Portland, 24. St Louis, 28. Salt Lake City, 30. San Diego, 31. San Antonio

I think MLS will be next, but they may have to back off on growth of expansion fees. They also need to absorb the calendar change. They will try to part out what few markets USL Premier will hang their hat on, namely Indianapolis,.Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Detroit.

The NBA will follow. I think they add two in Canada (Montreal and Vancouver) and two in the US.

The NFL will jump across the pond to Europe and go straight from 32 to 36. They will eventually do the same for Asia to get to 40.

MLB will be last to 36.