Would you ever be in favor of Ames making a bid for a UFL expansion team for the state of Iowa? It could result in significant rental income for the AD and be a popular way to leverage CyTown. I think given Ames' location (nearest pro football teams several hours in every direction), fans would come out in support. It could be an opportunity for this state to make a case for themselves for a more significant pro team in the future, and could be a potential rivalry to St. Louis being nearby with above average fan support. I'm sure it would never happen, if I'm Matt Campbell, I'd want nothing to do with sharing facilities or working around spring workouts. And obviously, an outdoor venue like JTS is an issue with the current calendar for the league, but not insurmountable.
I asked Grok to suggest names for a professional American football team based in the state of Iowa and it provided these AI inspired names for the franchise:
- Iowa River Runners – Highlighting Iowa’s major rivers like the Mississippi and Missouri.
- Iowa Prairie Hawks – Capturing the state’s expansive prairies and wildlife.
- Iowa Blackbirds – A reference to Iowa’s state bird, the American Goldfinch, with a tougher edge.
- Iowa Ironclads – Inspired by Iowa’s industrial history and strength.
- Iowa Thunderheads – Evoking the dramatic storms that roll across Iowa’s plains.
- Iowa Harvesters – Symbolizing the hard work and productivity of Iowa’s farming communities.
Thunderheads isn't bad. Maybe The Iowa Stormchasers...or wait until the Barnstormers name becomes available.