NFL might expand to 34 teams to include Los Angeles - Ingles

Speculation about the futures of the Bills and Jaguars is frequent given their small-market statures, stadium issues and the occasional challenges of filling their seats. The Chargers, Rams and Vikings are all feverishly looking for new or improved buildings in their respective cities.

But perhaps there won't be a need for any of them to move to NFL-starved Los Angeles after all (though some say the league is more focused on returning than L.A. is on welcoming it back) despite the linkage between those clubs and the city.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday night on Costas Tonight: Live from the Super Bowl that when it comes to the nation's second-largest market, he's now more inclined to expand than relocate existing franchises ... even if it means expanding twice.

"Really, we want to keep our teams where they are, and that's the dilemma because not only do we have to get the stadium in L.A., then we have to find out how to get the team," said the commish.

As for potential expansion plans, Goodell said, "We probably don't want to go to 33," adding he prefers 34.

Either number would disrupt what seems to be a perfectly calibrated playoff and scheduling process the league enjoys with its 32-team setup, which allows for eight divisions of four franchises. The league did play with 31 clubs from 1999-2001 after returning the Browns to Cleveland and before the Texans came on line. That forced at least one club to always be on bye, including Week 1 and the regular-season finale.

Major League Baseball is realigning the AL and NL to address the scheduling quirks it's had for years due to an unbalanced schedule.

But L.A. has been without the NFL since the Raiders and Rams both bolted following the 1994 season. The city currently has two sites with developed stadium plans vying for a franchise.

Given the allure of football in Hollywood, the league would probably much prefer to cope with any scheduling challenges than not have a Los Angeles presence any longer.

This article was written by Nate Davis and appeared in USA Today.