(06-22-2015 12:52 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  Charlotte's definitely a contender to move up at some point. There's two factors to consider with them: the trajectory of their football team's performance, and the consistency of their fan support. If they show that they can be competitive in a few years, and they can get good crowds even after the new-program smell wears off, they deserve a look-see.

Charlotte has great potential and although they have "exclusive" presence in a huge market I see a few major hurdles. One is they've been overshadowed by UNC, Duke, NC State, Panthers, et al for so long it's going to take time to penetrate the market as a football option. They also aren't too far removed from being viewed as a commuter / part-time school, and almost half of Charlotte is made up of transients from the Northeast and Mid-West that have relocated here over the last 20 years.

The key for them is to engage young generations (family events, kid giveaways, etc at games) so they grow up as fans regardless of who their parents root for.