Numerous franchises have made seminal decisions to relocate in the past several decades, with many such moves altering the complexions of leagues. Here's a look at the most pivotal decisions that changed cities and some that had big impacts on the futures of their respective leagues.
1. 1946: Rams move from Cleveland to L.A.
The first major expansion to Los Angeles, this was also the first of three relocations for the Rams. Their first provided a groundbreaking moment. The Cleveland Rams won the 1945 NFL championship, but owner Dan Reeves moved the franchise to southern California a month after the team's only title in Cleveland. The Rams, who made northeast Ohio their home for nine years, developed a rivalry with the new Cleveland franchise -- the Browns -- once the latter joined the NFL in 1950. Cleveland and L.A. met three times in the NFL title game between 1950 and '55, and Otto Graham's Browns won two of those games.
2. 1953: Braves leave Boston to head to Milwaukee
Prior to the Braves ditching Boston for Milwaukee, Major League Baseball enjoyed incredible consistency. No team had moved in the previous 50 years, nor had any expansion taken place. Also known as the Red Stockings, Beaneaters, Doves, Rustlers and Bees, the franchise played in Boston for 76 years. The Braves won one World Series in Boston and one in Milwaukee, the latter effort buoyed by Warren Spahn and a young Hank Aaron in 1957.
