This is an opinion column
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By Jay Taylor
I promised David that I’d write a column demonstrating why Birmingham’s ready for a major league professional sports team.
But do I really believe that?
The numbers seem to back it up. We have nearly 1.4 million people in our combined statistical area. That’s more than major league cities New Orleans and Buffalo – and tied with Memphis.
Of course, the numbers don’t matter if you don’t believe them.
Here’s another number: With 5.1 million residents, Alabama’s population is higher than Louisiana, Oregon, Oklahoma, Utah, and Nevada.
That matters because sports teams have statewide appeal. Ask the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Golden State Warriors, Carolina Panthers, Texas Rangers, Utah Jazz, Colorado Rockies, and many others why they identify with their state or region.
Do the Tide and Tigers represent only the cities of Tuscaloosa and Auburn or their student bodies and alumni? Nope. You live within our state’s borders and you’re asked to pick a side.
Bear Bryant understood this. In 1981 he spoke out against the NFL in Birmingham precisely because he didn’t want to lose market share. Thing is, Alabama had 3.9 million people at the time. We’re a different state in 2025.
Read about it in this well-written four-part series by Creg Stephenson detailing our near-misses with the NFL.
UAB Athletics
Spoiler alert: Toward the end there’s a suggestion that some believe the Blazers are the best we can do – long term.
Sadly, these days, the UAB athletic department administration is abysmal and much of the campus doesn’t care.
For instance, when basketball coach and UAB alumnus Andy Kennedy was reportedly courted by West Virginia, Athletic Director Mark Ingram said: “West Virginia should want Andy Kennedy. As should many other people. I think Andy’s great, that’s why we hired him. It makes sense to me.”
He also said this: “Everybody we hire, we do so because we think they’re going to be successful when they have other opportunities because of the result of their success.”
He’s clearly not trying to bring championships to the southside. He’s helping coaches build resumes. As a fan, that’s not what I want to see. It sickens me.
Not only that, but some UAB Medicine bumper stickers read: “Our Nationally-Ranked Teams Wear Scrubs.”
This attempted crack at the Tide to boast of their achievements is more of a disrespect to hard-working Blazer athletes if you ask me.
In my youth, my father took me to basketball games when Gene Bartow was the coach. Now, I take my kids to Blazer games. It breaks my heart to see this program treated so poorly.
Winning Attitude
The problem for UAB, the obstacle for getting major league sports, and the hurdle for many other aspirations here, is too many people believe we aren’t good enough. We can’t do it.
How many people laughed the moment they read the headline for this column? How many people made up their mind before reading a word?
The thing is, we’ve already hosted and continue to host major league sports. Did you know the Birmingham Bulls moved here from Toronto? They were called the Toros and they were originally in the World Hockey Association. Half of the WHA teams were eventually incorporated into the NHL. The Bulls were not.
Professionally, MLB and the PGA have played here. NASCAR and Indy remain economic windfalls every year.
Not to mention, Alabama and Auburn grab national headlines, crowds, and TV ratings. Whether you consider them pro or not, they’re definitely major league.
Back to the Drawing Board
Many of those with the money and influence to land a major league team may have given up. I hope someone out there will reconsider.
My brother has often questioned why we celebrate having a G League affiliate for an NBA team in a market smaller than us. That’s right, we’re bigger than New Orleans, yet they have the Pelicans and we have the Squadron.
The Pelicans are near the bottom in NBA attendance as well. Maybe the Squadron and Pelicans should switch cities for a minute and see what happens?
Like I’ve already demonstrated, teams have statewide appeal. While the Stallions ranked fourth in 2024 attendance in the United Football League, Birmingham’s UFL TV ratings were second. Mobile was ranked fourth. And you can bet who they cheered for.
To lure major league sports, let’s talk to Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery about working together for a centrally-located team.
Birmingham doesn’t deserve a major league professional team. Alabama does – in Birmingham.
Jay Taylor is a freelance writer based in Birmingham, Alabama. He has more than 30 years of experience working in advertising, journalism, marketing, and business. He renovated Kessler Lofts with his family and cofounded the startup TabX in Birmingham. Taylor previously served as president of the Central City Neighborhood Association. Today, he lives in Homewood with his wife and two children.
David Sher is the founder and publisher of ComebackTown. He’s past Chairman of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (REV Birmingham), and the City Action Partnership (CAP).
Invite David to speak for free to your group about how we can have a more prosperous metro Birmingham. dsher@comebacktown.con