The UFL kicks off in October, 2009 (1 Viewer)

[The Riv]

With the USFL now a distant memory and the XFL deciding to suspend operations indefinitely, is there room in the hearts and minds, not to mention wallets, for another Football League other than the NFL? Does the NFL really need something else (beyond practice squads and Div 1A College ball) to groom players? Wouldn't expanding the NFL to 34 or 36 teams be better? Is this (the UFL) news? What gives? How long can it last? What do you all think?

Riv.

 

[Avery]

University of Florida?

I thought classes started in September.

 

[Sleeping King]

I'm up for more football. Beats watching bowling.

 

[AnonymousBob]

In October? Why not space it further apart from the NFL regular season??

 

[FavreCo]

With the cuurent state of the economy (looking like it won't be recovering anytime soon, either), this disastrous idea got even worse. Odds favor it is cancelled before the 1st kickoff.

 

[burd]

games on Friday nights when there is nothing else to watch?

games during the fall when we're already in football-mode?

both great ideas. If another league ever had a chance of succeeding, it seems like the UFL has positioned itself to do so. They're starting small w/ 4 teams in a shortened season ... another great idea. You know the first few years will be tough to profit, so why bother breaking the bank by forcing additional teams? get the word out in year one and focus on gettting a good product on the field. BTW, having all 4 teams coached by real NFL coaches is another nice touch! The UFL "superbowl" will be on Thanksgiving weekend so they'll have little competition and alot of people at home to watch.

ill put the game on the tube on a friday night while i sift through the free agent lists.

 

[The Riv]

In case you need background material: U.F.L.

Burd, Friday Night belongs to High School Football! Get back out there under the lights!

 

[bentley]

With the cuurent state of the economy (looking like it won't be recovering anytime soon, either), this disastrous idea got even worse. Odds favor it is cancelled before the 1st kickoff.

I agree with this guy. I don't see any way the league makes it off the ground.

 

[burd]

In case you need background material: U.F.L.

Burd, Friday Night belongs to High School Football! Get back out there under the lights!

i got a 3yr old and a 1yr old at home .... regardless, i could care less about HS football

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I'm reading the UFL will persue Mike "Mad Dog" Vick.

 

[H.K.]

With the cuurent state of the economy (looking like it won't be recovering anytime soon, either), this disastrous idea got even worse. Odds favor it is cancelled before the 1st kickoff.

I agree with this guy. I don't see any way the league makes it off the ground.

I wonder if the timing of this league has anything to do with the NFL CBA expiring:

Even without another agreement, NFL football will be played without threat of interruption for at least the next three seasons. The 2008 and 2009 seasons will be played with a salary cap. If there is no new agreement before the 2010 season, that season will be played without a salary cap under rules that also limit the free agency rights of the players. If not extended, the agreement would expire at the end of the 2010 league year.

If things get dicey at the bargaining table, the UFL may be in a very interesting position.....

 

[The Riv]

Perhaps it's just the next logical step (even if cyclical) in expanding the NFL -- eventual absorption of another league.

 

[GoFishTN]

With the cuurent state of the economy (looking like it won't be recovering anytime soon, either), this disastrous idea got even worse. Odds favor it is cancelled before the 1st kickoff.

I agree with this guy. I don't see any way the league makes it off the ground.

The funding is already in place for year one. Who knows after that.Here's an article John Clayton wrote:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&id=3972890

Also, UFL Access is a good site for anyone that wants to discuss the league.

More football is always good!

 

[lyon812]

Interesting article by Clayton. Though I'm not sure if the barnstorming method of play is going to work. Maybe I'm misinterpreting it, but it looks like they'll be rotating through cities.

 

[zeuster]

What I would really like to see:

-8 team league in smaller market cities

-each team would be made up of players from a single NFL division (AFC North, etc.) and each team in that division would send X number of players to that team (~15 players per NFL team)

-pre-structured salary system ($150k-200k year or so)

-each team plays every other team once (no championship or anything, this is for player development)

-players are under a developmental contract to their respective NFL team and, as such, can be traded, waived, etc.

-fund this league by dropping the money pit known as the Pro Bowl (retain the voting and name the Pro Bowl players, but get rid of the game that noone really plays or watches anyway) and use this money constructively to develop border-line players

The UFL seems like its more about speculation by some investors that the NFL labor crisis will pay off big in 3 years and less about actually developing players

 

[GoFishTN]

Interesting article by Clayton. Though I'm not sure if the barnstorming method of play is going to work. Maybe I'm misinterpreting it, but it looks like they'll be rotating through cities.

Last I read, the NY team will play one game in Hartford and the San Francisco team will play one game in Sacramento. Las Vegas will probably play a game in LA. So, two home games, one "neutral site" game for those teams.

 

[GoFishTN]

What I would really like to see:-8 team league in smaller market cities-each team would be made up of players from a single NFL division (AFC North, etc.) and each team in that division would send X number of players to that team (~15 players per NFL team)-pre-structured salary system ($150k-200k year or so)-each team plays every other team once (no championship or anything, this is for player development)-players are under a developmental contract to their respective NFL team and, as such, can be traded, waived, etc.-fund this league by dropping the money pit known as the Pro Bowl (retain the voting and name the Pro Bowl players, but get rid of the game that noone really plays or watches anyway) and use this money constructively to develop border-line playersThe UFL seems like its more about speculation by some investors that the NFL labor crisis will pay off big in 3 years and less about actually developing players

An NFL developmental football league has failed twice, on two different continents no less. Apparently no one wants to watch minor league football that actually admits they are the minor leagues.

 

[H.K.]

The funding is already in place for year one. Who knows after that.

Here's an article John Clayton wrote:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...&id=3972890

Good article, and it confirmed my initial take on the timing behind it:

So why would some of America's best and brightest invest $30 million on this project? It's pretty simple. They are betting NFL owners will screw up labor talks in the next two years and have a lockout in 2011. If the NFL loses in labor, the UFL may win. If the NFL players are locked out, the UFL can offer them a home.

The key for the UFL is to survive for two years. If it can survive Year 1, the league will modestly expand in 2010 with a couple more teams and a few more games. Coaching salaries will increase to $1.5 million next year if that happens. Supposedly, the $30 million should carry the UFL into 2011.

Of course, if NFL owners reach a deal with the players by next March, the UFL will be nothing more than a fall developmental league, which isn't so bad.

The presence of the UFL is just a reminder to NFL owners to not overplay their hands in talks with NFL Players Association. Owners don't like to consider players as partners, but reality says they are. The current collective bargaining agreement might not be ideal for the owners, but they can't afford to let the salary cap go away in 2010.

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

In case you need background material: U.F.L.

Burd, Friday Night belongs to High School Football! Get back out there under the lights!

i got a 3yr old and a 1yr old at home .... regardless, i could care less about HS football

If you're looking for ways to save money, you might come to appreciate it more in the years to come. I have a buddy who takes his young son to see HS football games and they have a blast. His son calls it going to a "Jets game" since that's what he calls watching football of any kind. He's as excited to go as watching the real thing, and they spend less on the whole evening than my friend would simply parking his car at an NFL game. Imagine bringing a 20 with you and coming home with change. Plus you had a fun night out with your kid. On that note, if this league is affordable I'm sure it will generate some interest. That's why the AFL had a 20+ year run before suspending the 2009 season due to economics. I'd give it a chance, but I think a spring league is still the best option. Playing when the NFL plays is risky, even if it's on a different night.

 

[thecardiackid]

If you're looking for more football AND some serious entertainment value, check this new league out.

LFL - The Lingerie Football League

 

[Avery]

If you're looking for more football AND some serious entertainment value, check this new league out.

LFL - The Lingerie Football League

All I can say is that I just gave this thread "5 stars!"

 

[H8fulHuck]

If you're looking for more football AND some serious entertainment value, check this new league out.

LFL - The Lingerie Football League

This brings Fantasy Football to a whole new level.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Have any of the articles explained why they are playing during the same season as the NFL now? I would think a lot of their opportunity would come from people who are missing football, so tune in to give it a chance. That is the only reason I tried to watch Arena or XFL. During the NFL season, I doubt I'd bother.

 

[ChuckLiddell]

Have any of the articles explained why they are playing during the same season as the NFL now? I would think a lot of their opportunity would come from people who are missing football, so tune in to give it a chance. That is the only reason I tried to watch Arena or XFL. During the NFL season, I doubt I'd bother.

Makes zero sense. I actually played in, and enjoyed a fantasy XFL league to get my fix during the NFL offseason. Completely kept my interest (I am easy to please I guess). I cannot see carign even slightly about a league that is playing at the same time as the NFL. Shockingly stupid decision IMO.

 

[bentley]

Have any of the articles explained why they are playing during the same season as the NFL now? I would think a lot of their opportunity would come from people who are missing football, so tune in to give it a chance. That is the only reason I tried to watch Arena or XFL. During the NFL season, I doubt I'd bother.

Makes zero sense. I actually played in, and enjoyed a fantasy XFL league to get my fix during the NFL offseason. Completely kept my interest (I am easy to please I guess). I cannot see carign even slightly about a league that is playing at the same time as the NFL. Shockingly stupid decision IMO.

I played in a fantasy XFL league and it was a disaster. Our big problem was drafting a month before the XFL season kicked off. I made Jay Barker the #1 pick overall and I don't think he even played a game.

 

[ChuckLiddell]

Have any of the articles explained why they are playing during the same season as the NFL now? I would think a lot of their opportunity would come from people who are missing football, so tune in to give it a chance. That is the only reason I tried to watch Arena or XFL. During the NFL season, I doubt I'd bother.

Makes zero sense. I actually played in, and enjoyed a fantasy XFL league to get my fix during the NFL offseason. Completely kept my interest (I am easy to please I guess). I cannot see carign even slightly about a league that is playing at the same time as the NFL. Shockingly stupid decision IMO.

I played in a fantasy XFL league and it was a disaster. Our big problem was drafting a month before the XFL season kicked off. I made Jay Barker the #1 pick overall and I don't think he even played a game.

Ours was fun. Not terribly serious, but fun. Tommy Maddox was $$, but he was on the same team as Scott Milanovich, who was drafted before him. The running back Avery that the Dolphins traded back (passing on Moss) and drafted in the first round was unstoppable in the XFL. It was a great way to fill the offseason void.

 

[Nemesis]

From the UFL website:

LIVE Chat with Commissioner Michael Huyghue! - 03.13.2009 Thank you so much for participating in tonight's chat. I really enjoyed interacting with you the fan. Due to the number of questions we received pertaining to marketing, merchandising, team names, logos and ticket sales, we have invited our COO Frank Vuono to chat online this Sunday at 8:00 PM. We hope you can join us. Sorry that I need to run but my children are begging me to play Pokemon on their Nintendo DS.

Classic!

 

[phillyphan07]

I think they're looking to be an NFL farm system... with the owners of this league looking to essentially get "bought out" when the NFL does this.

NFL Europe failed for a number of reasons. But I think the NFL coaches/gms probably liked the idea of having those developmental leagues even if relatively few players ever went from NFL Europe to the pros...

I like the idea that the UFL went out and got high profile coaches too... it makes even more sense from a developmental point of view

 

[John Mamula]

With the USFL now a distant memory and the XFL deciding to suspend operations indefinitely, is there room in the hearts and minds, not to mention wallets, for another Football League other than the NFL? Does the NFL really need something else (beyond practice squads and Div 1A College ball) to groom players? Wouldn't expanding the NFL to 34 or 36 teams be better? Is this (the UFL) news? What gives? How long can it last? What do you all think?Riv.

No.

 

[Nemesis]

I think they're looking to be an NFL farm system... with the owners of this league looking to essentially get "bought out" when the NFL does this. NFL Europe failed for a number of reasons. But I think the NFL coaches/gms probably liked the idea of having those developmental leagues even if relatively few players ever went from NFL Europe to the pros... I like the idea that the UFL went out and got high profile coaches too... it makes even more sense from a developmental point of view

Question 1: What happens when an NFL team loses a QB or two and comes knocking at the door wanting to sign the best UFL QB in the middle of OCT/NOV?Question 2: What happens when an NFL team fires their head coach in mid season and tries to hire one of the UFL coaches in mid season?Will the UFL allow this? (does anybody know how restrictive the UFL contracts are?)And if so, what ramifications would it have on that UFL team going forward? (would fanbase/local support go down the tubes?)

 

[H.K.]

I think they're looking to be an NFL farm system... with the owners of this league looking to essentially get "bought out" when the NFL does this.

NFL Europe failed for a number of reasons. But I think the NFL coaches/gms probably liked the idea of having those developmental leagues even if relatively few players ever went from NFL Europe to the pros...

I like the idea that the UFL went out and got high profile coaches too... it makes even more sense from a developmental point of view

Question 1: What happens when an NFL team loses a QB or two and comes knocking at the door wanting to sign the best UFL QB in the middle of OCT/NOV?Question 2: What happens when an NFL team fires their head coach in mid season and tries to hire one of the UFL coaches in mid season?

Will the UFL allow this? (does anybody know how restrictive the UFL contracts are?)

And if so, what ramifications would it have on that UFL team going forward? (would fanbase/local support go down the tubes?)

Chat transcript excerpts from the UFL Commish

Re: LIVE Chat with Commissioner Michael Huyghue!

Posted by Al at 03.15.09

Thank you for the information to my question. Would the leage be referred to as a minor league to the NFL? or does the leauge want to eventually be as big?

Commissioner Huyghue Response:

The UFL is not a minor league because there is no affiliation to the NFL. We are currently a stand-alone League although our players will have the ability to go back and forth between the two. The experience gained by the players will only give crediability to our League when they take those skills to the NFL. Down the road, there may come a time when there is a more formal relationship betwene the UFL and NFL but at this time we are two independent enterprises.

Re: LIVE Chat with Commissioner Michael Huyghue!

Posted by brian morris at 03.15.09

hi michael. long time friend of frank vuono's and new fan of the UFL. congratulations on the VERSUS deal and signing some great coaches. what's your strategy moving forward with regards to signing players? do you go after NFL castoffs? wait until the NFL draft and see who slips through the cracks? make a play for Vick? as your new league is all about accessibility, i'm curious to hear your thoughts. cheers & good luck.....brian.

Commissioner Huyghue Response:

We are primarily going to be signing players from NFL rosters during this year's training camp season. The coaches will also sign street free agents and veteran players as they become available from NFL rosters. Next year, we will be conducting our own draft. Players like Vick will be evaluated throughout the course of the year and we will include fan input.

Re: LIVE Chat with Commissioner Michael Huyghue!

Posted by Curtis Graff at 03.15.09

Will the rules in the UFL be the same as the NFL?

Commissioner Huyghue Response:

Maintaining the integrity of the game is paramount. We are going to have similar rules to that of the NFL with some minor enhancements that are still being discussed.

Re: LIVE Chat with Commissioner Michael Huyghue!

Posted by Chris at 03.15.09

Commissioner I am a huge football fan, but I am really getting tired of reading about NFL players getting arrested and having off field problems. Is the UFL going to take steps or measures to help keep their players out of trouble off the field?

Commissioner Huyghue Response:

The UFL was created to give players a chance at succeeding on the playing field. However, we will not be a haven for habitual offenders. We plan on comprising our rosters with quality players looking for the opportunity to play professional football.

Re: LIVE Chat with Commissioner Michael Huyghue!

Posted by Jason "BIG TILL" Tillery at 03.15.09

Mr. Commissioner, If the UFL is successful, would you consider becoming a part of the NFL as a AAA league like major league baseball does where the NFL and can send/receive players back and forth for development? This, in my opinion, would help to build a market place in cities like Hartford where they could send teams to their "parent" team the New England Patriots. I am moving to Maine in August and I can't wait to drive to Hartford to catch a game. Thank you for this new league.

Commissioner Huyghue Response:

It is certainly possible that the UFL may ultimately enter into a formal relationship with the NFL. Much depends on how we progress as a league and how credible the product becomes. If, as we anticipate, more quality back-up players improve their skills in our league then there will likely be a useful role for them in the NFL.

Your Predessors-the WFL, the USFL, the AFL and XFL-have all failed in getting the attention of football fans. What makes you believe that you can succeed in the United States and as a challeneger to the NFL?

Commissioner Huyghue Response:

Good question. First, we are not trying to challenge the NFL but rather complement it. There are an abundance of players out there who simply are not getting the chance to play and develop their on-field talent. We want to provide that opportunity while also providing fans with affordable, accessible and entertaining alternatives. We have studied the prior leagues and plan to take on some of their best practices while avoiding some of their mistakes that ultimately led to their demise. It is important to note that some of these alternate leagues were successful in creating a fan base and attracting them in large numbers to the games. We are being very realistic in our projected attendance numbers.

Sounds like they want to have players go back and forth. I'd imagine that the UFL would get compensation for sending its players uner contract to the NFL, but it isn't addressed specifically in the chat. Smart business move on their part to not take on the NFL head to head, but instead offer to be a resource for them.