This is an opinion column
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By Jay Taylor
I promised David that I would write a column demonstrating why Birmingham is ready for a professional sports team from the major league.
But do I really believe that?
The figures seem to save him. We have nearly 1.4 million people in our combined statistical area. It’s more than Major League Cities New Orleans and Buffalo – and equally with Memphis.
Of course, the figures do not matter if you do not believe them.
Here are another number: with 5.1 million residents, the population of Alabama is higher than Louisiana, Oregon, Oklahoma, Utah and Nevada.
This counts because the sports teams have a state -of -scale call. Ask 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 tide and tigers represent only the cities of Tuscaloosa and Auburn or their student and ancient bodies? No. You live inside the borders of our state and you are asked to choose one side.
Bear Bryant understood this. In 1981, he spoken against the NFL in Birmingham precisely because he did not want to lose market share. The thing is that the Alabama had 3.9 million People at the time. We are a different state in 2025.
Read on this subject in this well written part in four parts series by Creg Stephenson detailing our almost-me with the NFL.
UAB athletics
Spoiler alert: towards the end, there is a suggestion that some believe that the Blazers are the best that we can do – in the long term.
Unfortunately, these days, the administration of the UAB sports department is appalling and a large part of the campus doesn’t care.
For example, when the basketball coach and former UAB student Andy Kennedy was courted by Virginia-Western, sports director Mark Ingram said: “Virginia-Western should want Andy Kennedy. Like many other people. I think Andy is great, that’s why we hired her. It makes sense to me.”
He also said this: “Everyone we are hiring, we do it because we think they will succeed when they have other opportunities because of the result of their success.”
He clearly does not try to bring championships to the Southside. It helps coaches build CVs. As a fan, that’s not what I want to see. It makes me sick.
Not only that, but some UAB Medicine bumper stickers said: “Our teams classified at the national level wear scrubs.”
This fissure attempt at the tide to boast of their achievements is more a lack of respect for the Blazer athletes who work hard if you ask me.
In my youth, my father took me to basketball matches when Gene Bartow was the coach. Now I take my children to Blazer Games. It breaks my heart to see this program treated so badly.
Winning attitude
The problem for the UAB, the obstacle to obtain major league sports, and the obstacle for many other aspirations here, is that too many people believe that we are not good enough. We cannot do it.
How many people have laughed at the time of reading the title of this column? How many people have decided before reading a word?
The fact is that we have already organized and continue to welcome major league sports. Did you know that Birmingham Bulls have moved here from Toronto? They were called the toros and they were originally at the World Hockey Association. Half of the WHA teams were finally incorporated into the NHL. Bulls were not.
Professionally, MLB and the PGA played here. Nascar and Indy remain economic manneurs each year.
Without forgetting, Alabama and Auburn are making the headlines of national newspapers, crowds and television ratings. Whether you consider them or not, they are definitely major leagues.
Back to drawing board
Many of those who have the money and the influence to get a major league team may have abandoned. I hope someone will be reconsidering.
My brother often wondered why we celebrate a G League affiliate for an NBA team in a smaller market than us. It’s true, we are larger than New Orleans, but they have the Pélicans and we have the squadron.
Pelicans are also near the bottom of participation in the NBA. Maybe the squadron and the Pelicans should change town for a minute and see what’s going on?
As I have already demonstrated, the teams have a state -of -scale call. While the stallions ranked fourth in 2024 in the United Football League, UFL of Birmingham Television notes were second. The mobile was classified fourth. And you can bet who they applauded.
To attract the sports of major leagues, let’s talk to Mobile, Huntsville and Montgomery to work together for a team at the center.
Birmingham does not deserve a professional team of major leagues. Alabama is – in Birmingham.
Jay Taylor is an independent writer based in Birmingham, Alabama. He has more than 30 years of experience in advertising, journalism, marketing and business. He renovated Kessler Lofts with his family and co -founded the startup Tabx in Birmingham. Taylor was previously president of the Central City Neighbourhood Association. Today, he lives in Homewood with his wife and two children.
David Sher is the founder and publisher of Comebacktown. He is former president of the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (BBA), Operation New Birmingham (Rev Birmingham) and City Action Partnership (CAP).
Invite David to talk to your group for free how we can have a more prosperous birmingham metro. dsher@comebacktown.con