LOCALS IN THE NFL

Governor Cox: Utah ‘Would Be All Over’ Having NFL Team

Nov 18, 2021, 5:15 PM | Updated: 5:16 pm

NFL logo...

A detailed view of the NFL logo on the field during the NFL game between Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY – Governor Spencer Cox said that Utah would “be all over” the opportunity to welcome an NFL team to the Beehive State.

The first-term governor of Utah spoke about the state’s potential as home to an NFL team during his monthly PBS Utah news conference on Thursday, November 18.

“If there’s an opportunity for an NFL franchise here in the state of Utah, we would be all over that,” Cox said.

The topic of NFL expansion was recently highlighted by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio.

“The conversations about possibly growing to 40 teams already are happening, at the highest levels of the league,” Florio wrote two days before Cox’s comments. “It will take time to get there, but in time it will happen. The money will make it so.”

The NFL currently has 32 teams.

Las Vegas recently became home to the Raiders and is now the closest franchise to Salt Lake City.

If the NFL were to expand, it’s likely that Utah wouldn’t be the first or second choice with cities like St. Louis and San Antonio, as well as the international options of Toronto, Mexico City, and London, available to the league.

However, Cox said that he would fight for the Beehive State to have its own team if the opportunity presented itself.

“I don’t know if there’s a limit on how hard I would push to get an NFL team here in Utah,” Cox added.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

Locals In the NFL

Kingsley-Suamataia-BYU-Cougars-Football...

Kyle Ireland

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce Praises New Teammate Kingsley Suamataia

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce praised his new teammate and former BYU Cougars offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia.

2 days ago

BYU Football Depth Chart, Iowa State Week, AJ Vongphachanh...

Brian Preece

New York Jets Invite Former Cougar, Aggie Linebacker AJ Vongphachanh To Mini-Camp

Former BYU linebacker AJ Vongphachanh will have a chance to prove himself at the NFL level after signing a deal with the New York Jets.

3 days ago

utah-state-wide-receiver-terrell-vaughn...

Chandler Holt

Utah State WR Terrell Vaughn Receives Camp Invite From Seattle Seahawks

Utah State Aggies wide receiver Terrell Vaughn received an invite to the Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp on Tuesday.

3 days ago

Hale-Motu'apuaka-Utah-State...

Kyle Ireland

Former Utah State DT Hale Motu’apuaka Earns Mini Camp Invite From Colts

Former Utah State defensive tackle Hale Motu’apuaka received a rookie mini camp invite from the Indianapolis Colts.

4 days ago

Sione-Vaki-Utah-Utes-Football...

Kyle Ireland

Offense Vs. Defense: Sione Vaki’s Best Fit With Detroit Lions

Former Utah Utes defensive back and running back Sione Vaki landed with the Detroit Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft.

5 days ago

former-utes-get-instruction-from-nfl-scout-before-drill-at-utah-pro-day-2024...

Michelle Bodkin

Utah Football Produces Another Robust Draft Class Despite Disappointing 2023 Season

Utah football continues to prove they are one of the best at identifying and developing NFL-level talent- even in a "down" year.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Give-A-Thon

The KSL Sports Zone, KSL 5 TV, FM100.3, 103.5 The Arrow, and KSL NewsRadio have teamed up to raise money for the kids being served by Primary Children’s Care!

ksl-sports-newsletter...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

...

KSL Sports

Jazz Notes Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the Jazz Notes newsletter. Get insider analysis, game recaps and opportunities to win tickets!

Follow @kslsports...

The Road Home Mediathon 2023

The KSL Sports Zone and KSLSports.com are proud to support the all-day Mediathon 2023 at the Road Home, an annual tradition to raise money and other essential items for the Road Home, a Homeless Shelter.

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

Governor Cox: Utah ‘Would Be All Over’ Having NFL Team