National Thoroughbred League identifies 7 expansion candidates

The National Thoroughbred League announced four new franchises will be awarded in time for the 2024 season out of potential ownership groups from Miami, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Dallas and New Orleans.

The formal announcement of which four cities will become home to the new NTL teams is expected during the week of Kentucky Derby 2024.

“It’s great seeing the interest in our growing league and the potential ownership groups from such outstanding markets across the country,” NTL president Tom Ludt said. “Choosing only four additional franchises for the upcoming season will be difficult, but it demonstrates the growing excitement around our league as well as the expansion prospects for the future.”

The NTL launched in 2023 with six charter franchises in Seattle, New York, Nashville, New Jersey, California and Philadelphia as a groundbreaking new sports league centered around professional Thoroughbred racing. The NTL built a stable of founding owners who include Grammy-award winning musician Nelly and businessperson Moira Forbes as well as former professional athletes.

Co-founder Randall Lane said the first season provided the foundation to quickly expand with more high-profile owners.

“Our partners and fans have wholeheartedly embraced our vision,” Lane said. “We set out to reimagine professional thoroughbred racing as a major pro league that young fans would find thrilling.”

“The success of year 1 made expansion an easy decision and has attracted more exceptional owners to the table,” fellow co-founder Robert Daugherty said. “We are also pleased by the number of high-profile sponsors who are now engaging with the NTL.”

Once the expansion announcement is made, the new team owners will begin preparations quickly to launch their franchises and build teams set to compete for the 2024 championship.