In the mid-1980s, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle had seemingly overcome every obstacle, conquered every challenger and slain every dragon standing between his league and total domination of the American sports landscape. There was only one thing left to do: Expand.
"It's not like they had to put out an RFP, you know?" said Max Muhleman, chuckling. Muhleman—pronounced like "Sullivan," he says, and don't worry about getting it wrong since he's been married over 50 years and his wife still struggles with it—is a Charlotte-based private sports marketing consultant. He spoke to Bleacher Report about his integral role in the Carolinas' NFL bid.