October 6, 1999
NFL REALIGNS TO EIGHT DIVISIONS OF FOUR
ATLANTA – The NFL announced today a realignment of its 32 teams into eight divisions of four teams each starting in the 2002 NFL season.
The decision to realign to eight divisions of four was part of a resolution in which Houston, Texas was granted the league’s 32nd franchise.
The Houston franchise will be placed in an AFC division. The complete realignment will be finalized by June 1, 2001 to prepare for the 2002.
The decision to realign was approved unanimously by NFL owners in league meetings in Atlanta.