NFL Expansion Fees

General Published on : 1/1/2005

 

Note: The following figures are amounts as reported in newspapers accounts.

Team(s)
Franchise Fee
First Season
Houston Texans
$700 million
2002
Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars
$140 million
1995
Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
$16 million
1976
Cincinnati Bengals (AFL)
$7.5-$8 million
1968
New Orleans Saints
$8.5 million
1967
Atlanta Falcons
$8.5 million
1966
Miami Dolphins (AFL)
$7.5 million
1966
Minnesota Vikings
$1 million
1961
Dallas Cowboys
$1 million
1960
Original members of the AFL
$25,000
1960
Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Pirates*
$2,500 
1933
New York Giants
$500
1925
Original members of the NFL**
$100^
1920
 
* Changed nickname to Steelers in 1940.
** NFL was known as the American Professional Football Association for its first two seasons.
^ According to accounts, this membership fee was never paid by the teams.