NFL Votes to Expand to 30 Teams

NFL owners voted Wednesday in Minneapolis to add two expansion teams for the 1994 season, with realignment of the six divisions likely.

An expansion committee will review cities seeking franchises and recommend to the 28 teams a list of final candidates no later than the NFL meetings next March.

By the fall of 1992, the final selection of two expansion teams will be made--with one proviso.

“Unless the commissioner and expansion committee determine that labor-management issues constitute an impediment to such an expansion timetable,” league spokesman Joe Browne said, “expansion teams will be selected then.”

No price tag has been set or was even discussed, Browne said. The NFL has not expanded since Seattle and Tampa Bay began play in 1976.

The NFL clubs also approved a provision allowing an extra quarterback to dress for games.

When the 45-man squad is announced one hour before kickoff, one of two inactive players from the overall 47-man roster may be declared an emergency quarterback. In uniform, he would play only if the other quarterbacks are injured. Once he came into the game, none of the quarterbacks who were injured could play again. The emergency player could play only quarterback.