Memphis Hound Dogs
The Memphis Hound Dogs were a proposed NFL team in the early-1990s. Former Memphis Showboats owner William Dunavant, Paul Tudor Jones, Fred Smith and Elvis Presley Enterprises were the members of the potential ownership group.[1]
In 1993, the NFL invited potential owners from five finalists to make a presentation, after which two teams would be selected as expansion teams. Along with representatives from the
Baltimore Bombers and St. Louis Stallions, the potential franchise owners gave a presentation to NFL owners in hopes of attracting an NFL team.[2] Carolina (later renamed the Panthers) and Jacksonville were chosen to become expansion teams and started in 1995.[3]
After the NFL bid failed, Smith continued his desire to form a football team and contacted the
All five of the proposed expansion cities would get NFL teams by 1997 through expansion (Carolina and Jacksonville) or moved franchises (
Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville.) Yet Memphis would not be without a professional sports team for long, as the Vancouver Grizzlies of the NBA would relocate there in 2001 to become the Memphis Grizzlies, who have remained there since.[5]
References
- ^ "Memphis' NFL pick ain't nothing but a Hound Dog Presley investment helps cement name PRO FOOTBALL". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
- ^ Williams, Mike (October 26, 1993). "NFL derby: South poised for expansion 5 cities cross fingers, hold breath, pray as big day arrives". The Atlanta Journal & Constitution. Atlanta. p. A1.
- ^ Pitts, William (2021-02-21). "Memphis Could Have Had an NFL Expansion Team in 1995". Sportscasting | Pure Sports. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
- ^ Davis, Corey (November 15, 2022). "Local leaders: Why USFL Memphis Showboats' return could boost Memphis' economy". American City Business Journals. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
- ^ "The city that hated its NFL team". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-04-10.