Why does Ohio State have two NFL teams?

The National Football League (NFL) is one of the most popular leagues in all of sports, with its players and teams enjoying astronomical popularity around the globe. These teams have such a wide following that it's common to see them representing cities and states. Each major city in America typically has one NFL team out of the 32 currently participating in the league. However, some cities are blessed with more than one franchise. One of those cities is Ohio, a city that is our topic of discussion today.

So why does Ohio have two NFL teams rather than simply one franchise? What makes Ohio State a hotbed for two of the most popular teams in the league? Are there any other states that have more than one team?

To begin with, Ohio has two teams because Cleveland had one of the most dominant teams in the NFL during the 40s, 50s, and early 60s, thanks largely to coach and general manager Paul Brown. Unfortunately, after buying the team, Art Modell had disagreements with Paul because Modell wanted to be consulted on football matters, which Brown refused to do.

After the firing, Paul Brown moved to the other end of the state of Ohio and founded the Cincinnati Bengals, which you will notice have the same colors as the Cleveland Browns. While the Bengals have had some good and great years, with Brown no longer coaching, they have also had some very bad years, especially after Paul Brown passed away.

The Battle of Ohio

As you might have learned by now, Ohio has two pretty successful franchises, the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, and they have had a rivalry for ages. This rivalry is commonly referred to as the Battle of Ohio. It is one of the most storied and equal rivalries in North American sports, with both teams competing in the AFC North Division and neither having a glaring upper hand.

The teams first met on October 11, 1970, with the Cleveland Browns prevailing 30-27. They have met 98 times, with the Cincinnati Bengals holding the slight upper hand with 51 victories to the Cleveland Browns' 47 wins.

The rivalry stems from two main factors: the franchises' geographical proximity, as both teams are Ohio State residents. The other factor is that they were founded by the late great Paul Brown, who founded the Bengals in 1968 after the legendary innovator founded them in 1946.

The Battle of Ohio used to be a big deal in the stacked AFC East, but both teams have been rebuilding for a long time. The Cleveland Browns are now a shell of their former selves, with internal conflicts rearing their ugly heads, whereas the Cincinnati Bengals appear to have found what works for them. The next Ohio battle is scheduled for December 11, 2022, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

Which states asides from Ohio have more than one NFL team?

California, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas also have more than one NFL team. California and Florida are the best-represented states, with both states racking up a staggering three NFL teams each in the 2022 season.