XFL Vegas Vipers Relocation: Portland | Nashville | Tempe In Discussion
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Vegas Vipers Relocation: Nashville, Tempe, Portland In Talks

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The XFL is seeing some major shakeups ahead of the 2024 season. News broke yesterday that the Vegas Vipers are officially not returning to Cashman Field.

This has been a developing story for months now. Mike Mitchell of XFL News Hub began reporting on this development back in May, as it seemed like the league realized that Cashman was a mess in more ways than one.

For the most part, fans and media members alike were on the same page: Cashman Field was a disaster, and simply wasn’t a high class facility compared to some of the other venues that the XFL features.

Most recently, Mitchell dropped a bombshell: amidst the relocation rumors, the XFL is considering Nashville, Tennessee – and Tempe, Arizona.

XFL To Portland?

However, another city is now in discussions for relocation: Portland, Oregon. Sources confirm that the league is currently exploring their options for moving the Vegas Vipers to the Northwest.

Portland is a fascinating location. The XFL already has a northwest team, with the Seattle Sea Dragons. If the league were to push the Vipers to Portland, it could create an exciting rivalry between those two teams.

Providence Park is a perfectly-sized stadium for the XFL. The Portland Timbers (MLS) play there, and saw an average of 23,117 fans during the 2023 season. With a capacity of 25,218 people, Providence Park would have a similar feel to Audi Field, home of the DC Defenders.

Interestingly enough, the Timbers kicked Portland State out of Providence Park almost ten years ago. Whether or not this could be a factor is unknown at this time.

While everything is currently in the preliminary stages, Portland is a city to keep a close eye on. They currently do not have a professional football team, and could prove to be an ideal expansion market for the XFL if the right pieces fall into place.

Nashville & Tempe

According to Mike Mitchell, the XFL is closely looking at Arizona State University, in Tempe. The XFL would have to adjust their division structure if a move were made to Tempe. Currently, the Vegas Vipers sit in the North Division, but Tempe wouldn’t fit in that category.

Arizona is hit or miss when it comes to spring football. The state has multiple arena football teams that do quite well. However, when the AAF sent the Arizona Hotshots that way, the team only averaged 9,932 fans in attendance at ASU.

Nashville is another intriguing proposition. The city loves their football, and would certainly welcome an XFL franchise with open arms.

Interestingly enough, the USFL has a franchise in the state, with the Memphis Showboats. Considering it’s a three hour drive between the cities, one would imagine that they’re far enough apart to not warrant any hindrance to each other.

Final Thoughts

One thing is clear: the Vegas Vipers will not be playing at Cashman next year, which is great news. However, this essentially means that the franchise is bound to relocate.

There aren’t many – if any – options in Vegas for the team to play in, not without securing Allegiant Stadium which would be unreasonably pricey.

We are hoping to hear more clarity on this story soon. Mike Lathrop of the Player 54 Podcast stated that an announcement could be coming as soon as next week, after Labor Day.

Whatever the case may be, the XFL will have to make some quick decisions. February will be here before we know it.

What are your thoughts on the Vegas Vipers relocation? Should they head to Nashville, Tempe, Portland, or somewhere else? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!

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