Regional Rivalry Brewing? How Commanders Sale Impacts Ravens
Less than 40 miles separates the Baltimore Ravens' M&T Bank Stadium to the Washington Commanders' FedEx Field. However, even with the two teams in such close proximity, there has never been much of a fierce regional rivalry.
Several reasons come in to play as to why, chief among them conference alignment. With the Ravens in the AFC and Commanders in the NFC, the two teams simply do not play all too often - in fact, they've met only three times in the last 11 years.
Now, though, with the sale of the Commanders being confirmed that could change for the Ravens to some extent. Under Snyder the Commanders couldn't keep the Ravens from gaining popularity within the area, something Marty Conway believes could change with a new owner.
“I suspect that the first thing that the ownership of the Commanders needs to do is to recognize that they’ve got to get out not only into their core of D.C. but into Northern Virginia," Conway said in an interview with The Baltimore Banner.
"Into the Maryland counties that surround the Beltway and reestablish themselves as a viable option for your spending habits, whether it’s tickets or sponsorships or media advertisements or whatever it is."
Of course, a big reason why the Ravens have been able to creep into Commanders' territory is consistent on-field success. Since Snyder purchased the then-Redskins in 1999, the Ravens have produced 14 winning seasons to the Commanders' five.
Comparing playoff success presents an even wider gap between the teams, with the Ravens' two Super Bowls matching the Commanders' playoff win totals under Snyder's ownership.
There is no doubt that the Commanders being sold will bring a new wave of optimism to their fanbase, and for good reason. After all, it would be hard to do worse than Snyder managed.
Despite that, though, it will be a long time coming for them to take the area back from the Ravens - as the only way to do so is start winning, and often.
You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98
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