When discussing professional football in Ohio, the immediate question on many fans' minds is, does Ohio have two NFL teams? The short answer is no, but the story behind this answer reveals a rich football heritage that defines the state's identity in the league.
The Current NFL Landscape in Ohio
As of the 2024 season, Ohio is home to a single National Football League franchise: the Cleveland Browns. The Browns compete in the American Football Conference (AFC) North division and represent the state's largest city. This singular presence stands in contrast to states like California, New York, and Florida, which host multiple teams, making the question of Ohio's NFL footprint particularly distinct.
Historical Context: The Era of Two Teams
Cincinnati and Cleveland in the Early Days
To understand why the current situation exists, one must look back to the league's early history. From 1937 to 1941, Ohio genuinely did have two NFL teams. The Cleveland Rams competed in the league until suspending operations due to World War II. Concurrently, the Cincinnati Bengals (a different franchise than the modern AFL team) played from 1937 until 1942. This period cemented football as a legitimate sport in the state, but it was a brief chapter in a long narrative.
The modern Cincinnati Bengals joined the NFL in 1970 as part of the AFL-NFL merger. They instantly became the state's sole representative, absorbing the fan bases and rivalries of the old Cincinnati Reds football team. The absence of a second franchise since that merger is a defining characteristic of Ohio's current sports landscape.
Why Doesn't Ohio Have a Second Team?
The National Football League operates under a strict territorial and market-based expansion model. Adding a second team in a state that already has one requires a compelling business case that balances market size against the dilution of fan support and revenue streams.
Cleveland and Cincinnati represent massive media markets, but splitting the state's attention and advertising dollars between two teams could potentially weaken the economic viability of both. The league prioritizes the stability and success of existing franchises, and the Browns, despite their historical struggles, maintain a strong brand and dedicated fan base that the league is unwilling to disrupt.
The Browns: The Sole Standard Bearer
Under the leadership of quarterback Deshaun Watson and head coach Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland Browns have returned to relevance in the 2020s. This resurgence has intensified the focus on the team, turning every season into a state-wide event. Ohioans rally around the orange and brown, treating the Browns as the definitive voice of professional football in the state.
While fans of the old Cincinnati Bengals legacy might feel a sense of loss for a second team, the support for the Browns demonstrates a unified football culture. Tailgating lotts across Ohio glow with team colors on Sundays, proving that one team is enough to satisfy the state's passion for the sport.
Comparing Ohio to Other States
Looking at the map of the NFL reveals that Ohio is not an outlier in having a single franchise. Many large states operate with one team, such as Illinois (Chicago Bears), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Eagles), and Michigan (Detroit Lions). This model contrasts with states like Texas, which supports two teams, often due to unique geographic size or historical accidents of league expansion.
Ohio's position as a single-team state highlights the economic reality of the modern NFL. The league's value is concentrated in its established franchises, and disrupting that balance is rarely in the interest of owners or the commissioner's office.
