United Football League

[Steve Spurrier III]

The New York Times Sports Magazine reports in its June 3 issue that Wall Streeter Bill Hambrecht and Google executive Tim Armstrong are launching a professional football league, called United Football League (UFL) to compete with the N.F.L., and have lined up billionaire Mark Cuban as their first team owner.

According to United Football League executives, Nocera reports, the new league will emulate the old American Football League – one of whose major characteristics was revenue sharing. Each owner will put up $30 million, worth a half-interest in a team; the league will own the other half. Eventually, the plan envisions that fans will become stakeholders – because each team will sell shares to the public to raise an average of $60 million per franchise. Public ownership will reduce the pricing pressure on the teams, resulting in cheaper tickets all around.

Officials are convinced they can land decent players from the get-go, and better players later on. “The U.F.L. will be able to offer most rookies, who aren’t top draft choices, far more money than the N.F.L. would give them,” Nocera writes.

I've always had a thing for alternate professional football. Even though the USFL and XFL tanked fantastically, the leagues did have their bright spots and silver linings, and I believe there could be a market for more professional football.

At least of paper, the UFL is doing things right (although the name is lousy). Get monster owners, put teams in potentially monster makets and start be stealing fringe talent - players who might not be stars in the NFL, but are easily NFL-caliber.

Any thoughts? I know I'm being way too optimistic in even hoping that this thing has a chance, but that's kind of guy I am. At the very least, it should be very entertaining.

[Irn-Bru]

Mark Cuban would do something like that.


I like that they're making it a pro sport, and not a sport/entertainment facade like the XFL did. The fact that they're also avoiding a direct confrontation (by playing in non-NFL cities on non-NFL days) makes me think I'll be able to watch a lot more football in '08 than I normally would.

Maybe this will plant the seeds for a promotion / relegation system?


My deepest hope is that the league not only survives, but that they thrive. Let's hope the FCC doesn't crack down on them for trying to televise Friday night games.


edit: I love this line -- "The U.F.L. will be able to offer most rookies, who aren’t top draft choices, far more money than the N.F.L. would give them."

The logic does make sense, should the UFL be able to back it up with ticket revenues. Why take up a tentative 5th-string spot on an NFL roster for 200k a year (if you don't get cut, that is), when the UFL might offer you 800k-1 mil and a starting job?

[ChocolateMilk]

i dont like this idea... not every US city can have a football team... it just doesnt work.. but im not scared.. there is never going to be another football leage that outshines the NFL.. haha XFL tried.. the arena thing is getting more popular now that espn broadcasts their games.. but it just wont beat out the nfl..

[Chris Luva Luva]

i dont like this idea...

Why?

not every US city can have a football team...

Why can't they?

it just doesnt work..

Has it failed before?

but im not scared..

Why should you be?

[Justice Hog]

Here's the question. You're about to come out of college to play professional football. You can choose the NFL or UFL. Where would you want to play?

The UFL, with their marketing plans, will not likely be able to pay their players the lucrative contracts that are common place in the NFL.

The UFL is not established and may never be established.

If they think they're really gonna lure top flight players out of college to join the UFL, they're on crack.

The UFL will be the JV teams of the NFL....nothing more.

[HailSkins94]

XFL anyone?

[frankcal20]

I'm not sure that this would work. I think that the top talent is in the NFL and if I want to see guys play that are not starters in the NFL, I'll watch the NFL Europe or the arena league. As for leagues that didn't work, XFL and the USFL. Then there is always Canadian League. I just don't think that the product is worth the amount of money that they will be charging ($60 million total????)

[JansenFan]

I must admit, I'm intrigued. The XFL failed because the product sucked. The AFL puts out a good product and it's thriving right now. I wish Snyder would get a team, but I digress.

If nothing else, a lot of my beloved Terps will get a shot at pro ball that just bounce around the NFL from practice squad to practice squad before getting their real estate licenses.

[Irn-Bru]

The XFL failed because the product sucked.

I agree.

[Chris Luva Luva]

If it's football, it'll be on my TV. Even if I'm not watching it, just the sound of it calms me.

[Steve Spurrier III]

Here's the question. You're about to come out of college to play professional football. You can choose the NFL or UFL. Where would you want to play?

Whoever pays me more money. The UFL won't be able to steal top-tier players, but they can offer the third, fourth and fifth round guys more money than the NFL, since teams are bound by the cap.

Furthermore, there is a great opportunity to try to raid underclass talent. We all knew Adrian Peterson was a NFL-caliber player after his freshmen season, but he had to play two more collegiate seasons before being able to turn professional. With the UFL, kids like that will have another option.

I'm not saying it will work, but I think there is a real market and I think there is a real opportunity to acquire good talent.

And I don't want to make this an XFL debate, but there was a lot to like about that league despite its many and obvious flaws. They drew solid attendance despite a painfully stupid marketing strategy and the fact that the media treated the entire thing like a circus. I don't know how much football America is capable of consuming, but we haven't reached that point yet.

[HEROHAMO]

The New York Times Sports Magazine reports in its June 3 issue that Wall Streeter Bill Hambrecht and Google executive Tim Armstrong are launching a professional football league, called United Football League (UFL) to compete with the N.F.L., and have lined up billionaire Mark Cuban as their first team owner.

According to United Football League executives, Nocera reports, the new league will emulate the old American Football League – one of whose major characteristics was revenue sharing. Each owner will put up $30 million, worth a half-interest in a team; the league will own the other half. Eventually, the plan envisions that fans will become stakeholders – because each team will sell shares to the public to raise an average of $60 million per franchise. Public ownership will reduce the pricing pressure on the teams, resulting in cheaper tickets all around.

Officials are convinced they can land decent players from the get-go, and better players later on. “The U.F.L. will be able to offer most rookies, who aren’t top draft choices, far more money than the N.F.L. would give them,” Nocera writes.

I've always had a thing for alternate professional football. Even though the USFL and XFL tanked fantastically, the leagues did have their bright spots and silver linings, and I believe there could be a market for more professional football.

At least of paper, the UFL is doing things right (although the name is lousy). Get monster owners, put teams in potentially monster makets and start be stealing fringe talent - players who might not be stars in the NFL, but are easily NFL-caliber.

Any thoughts? I know I'm being way too optimistic in even hoping that this thing has a chance, but that's kind of guy I am. At the very least, it should be very entertaining.

This league will fail. Just like the rest of them did. WHy? Because we already have a league. WHo wants to watch half talented players go at it. With teams we have never heard of. We would have to get aquanted with a whole new league. I am sorry but no thanx.

[andyjens89]

Dumb.

[flamethrower]

I am a fan of the game. As far as other Leagues go, the USFL actually after the 1st year was a descent game. And all the players that entered the NFL, and became stars. For the Redskins I give you Ricky Sanders, Gary Clark, And Kelvin Bryant Just to name a few. And Yes I will watch it if It is on TV. The only reason the USFL failed was that it wanted to directly compete with the NFL. Same Day and times. I can see Donald Trump getting involved also.

[skinsfan#33]

The UFL will sell stock!

Who in their right mind would buy that stock.

The XFL tanked,

The USFL tanked and they had a LOT of great players!

It would be so extremely risky to buy stock in a soon to be doomed franchise. Yeah, if it becomes the next NFL or even AFL you might make some money, but the odds are way against you.

Heck hockey is going to go the way of the dodo real soon if they don't get new leadership and they have a FANTASTIC product.

[hailskins666]

i'll watch. ESPECIALLY if they play during the NFL offseason, which imo, is a very smart thing to do.

[Chris Luva Luva]

i'll watch. ESPECIALLY if they play during the NFL offseason, which imo, is a very smart thing to do.

Yes! I'll watch also if this is the case.

[hailskins666]

it would be a dumb move to try to compete during the season. summer football isn't exactly popular, but that doesn't mean i couldn't be. heck i'd rather watch little tikes flag football over neckcar or baseball.

[Chris Luva Luva]

neckcar or baseball.

NECKCAR!!!! OMG, you are on a roll today. I have to use that.

[SeanTaylorJr.]

i think it be awesome to create this thing with 32 teams and have it be alike baseballs minor system, or the d league. That'd be awesome. Every city could then have a team (either a ufl or nfl).Then the redskins could keep like 50 more free agents on their ufl team. In all seriousness If they did it that way i'd love it, plus they could get a good part of the fan base they talk about from guys like us who would really pay attention to the development of their teams younger players on a ufl squad. however, If it was just the U.F.L., completely its own entity, that would suck, and i would never watch one down. Pro football is too great and popular to have as short an average career span as it does, maybe this could help that, make the whole draft, scouting, ect even more interesting and fun (especially those late picks); and provide more football entertainment for us all.

[Steve Spurrier III]

The UFL is slowly but surely coming into focus. A logo that has been circulating:



Also, the UFL is giving fans of twelve cities a chance to pre-pay for tickets online. The eight cities that fair the best will win teams - the four losers will get refunds.

The markets, and a quick not about the last time they hosted professional football:

Austin, TX:
Has never hosted 11 on 11 football, but is the current home of the AFL's Austin Wranglers. They finished twelve out of twenty teams last season in attendance at 12,354 a game.

Birmingham, AL:
Home to the XFL's Thunderbolts. 17,002 per game, 7th out of 8.

Columbus, OH:
Current home of the AFL's Columbus Destroyers (14,044; 7/20) and former home of the WLAF Ohio Glory, who drew a very impressive 30,892 in 1992 and finished first of the six American teams.

Las Vegas, NV:
Current home of the AFL's Gladiators (5,383; 19/20) and former home of the XFL Outlaws (22,619; 5/8). Vegas, of course, is slated to be the franchise of Mark Cuban.

Los Angeles, CA:
Current home of the AFL's Avengers (13,244; 10/20) and former home of the XFL Champion Xtreme (22,679, 4/8). Los Angeles is always such an interesting market due to its sheer size (2nd largerst in the U.S.), but lousy track record for hosting football. In addition to losing the Raiders and Rams, the USFL's Los Angeles Express drew a league-worst 8.415 per game in 1985 despite featuring Steve Young. As always, the facility is going to be a key issue in the city of Angels.

Louisville, KY:
The only city on the list to never host professional football, unless you count the afl2 Louisville Fire. Lousiville is an interesting wild card - traditionally a baseball and basketball town, football has gained real steam behind the University of Louisville Cardinals - who would ultimately be competition for any UFL franchise.

Memphis, TN:
A true veteran in hosting professional football, Memphis has been home to AFL, XFL, CFL, WLAF, USFL and WFL franchises - and also hosted the NFL Tennessee Oilers for a season. The XFL Maniaxx drew 20,396, finishing 6 out of 8.

Oklahoma City, OK:
Last team was the USFL Oklahoma Outlaws, who drew 20,436 in 1984, finishing 14 out of 18. Oklahoma City did draw extremely well for the NBA's Katrina-displaced New Orleans Hornets.

Orlando, FL:
Current home to the AFL Predators (13,626; 8/20) and former home of the XFL's Rage (25,563; 3/8).

Raleigh-Durham, NC:
A curious choice, considering the proximity to Charlotte's NFL Panthers. The WLAF's Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks drew only 12,753 fans in 1991, finishing 6/6, and were forced to relocate.

Sacramento, CA:
Last hosted football in 1994, as the CFL Gold Miners who drew 14,226 a game, finshing 3rd out of the 4 American teams.

San Antonio, TX:
Former home of the CFL Texans, who pulled in 15,855 in 1995 (4/5).

A real interesting list. Las Vegas and Los Angeles are shoe-ins, and in my opinion, Raleigh-Durham doesn't stand a chance. It will be interesting to see how teams that do feature big-time college football will fare - specifically Columbus, who drew so well in the overall poor-drawing WLAF.

Some other interesting notes: It's been confirmed that all games will be played on Friday nights between August and December. The league hopes to feature around ten players per team drawing seven figures. This will pull fringe NFL players, and will blow away competition from the CFL, AFL and upstart AAFL.

Also, don't be suprised to see the likes of Ricky Williams and Michael Vick serving their time in purgatory.

All in all, great stuff. I was beginning to wonder if this thing was ever going to get off the ground, seeing as how it was so long for more details to come out. I'll try to keep you updated.

[tribeofjudah]

I must admit, I'm intrigued. The XFL failed because the product sucked. The AFL puts out a good product and it's thriving right now. I wish Snyder would get a team, but I digress.

If nothing else, a lot of my beloved Terps will get a shot at pro ball that just bounce around the NFL from practice squad to practice squad before getting their real estate licenses.

Yeah..... one name..... Vince MacMahon

[tribeofjudah]

The UFL is slowly but surely coming into focus. A logo that has been circulating:



Also, the UFL is giving fans of twelve cities a chance to pre-pay for tickets online. The eight cities that fair the best will win teams - the four losers will get refunds.

The markets, and a quick not about the last time they hosted professional football:

Austin, TX:
Has never hosted 11 on 11 football, but is the current home of the AFL's Austin Wranglers. They finished twelve out of twenty teams last season in attendance at 12,354 a game.

Birmingham, AL:
Home to the XFL's Thunderbolts. 17,002 per game, 7th out of 8.

Columbus, OH:
Current home of the AFL's Columbus Destroyers (14,044; 7/20) and former home of the WLAF Ohio Glory, who drew a very impressive 30,892 in 1992 and finished first of the six American teams.

Las Vegas, NV:
Current home of the AFL's Gladiators (5,383; 19/20) and former home of the XFL Outlaws (22,619; 5/8). Vegas, of course, is slated to be the franchise of Mark Cuban.

Los Angeles, CA:
Current home of the AFL's Avengers (13,244; 10/20) and former home of the XFL Champion Xtreme (22,679, 4/8). Los Angeles is always such an interesting market due to its sheer size (2nd largerst in the U.S.), but lousy track record for hosting football. In addition to losing the Raiders and Rams, the USFL's Los Angeles Express drew a league-worst 8.415 per game in 1985 despite featuring Steve Young. As always, the facility is going to be a key issue in the city of Angels.

Louisville, KY:
The only city on the list to never host professional football, unless you count the afl2 Louisville Fire. Lousiville is an interesting wild card - traditionally a baseball and basketball town, football has gained real steam behind the University of Louisville Cardinals - who would ultimately be competition for any UFL franchise.

Memphis, TN:
A true veteran in hosting professional football, Memphis has been home to AFL, XFL, CFL, WLAF, USFL and WFL franchises - and also hosted the NFL Tennessee Oilers for a season. The XFL Maniaxx drew 20,396, finishing 6 out of 8.

Oklahoma City, OK:
Last team was the USFL Oklahoma Outlaws, who drew 20,436 in 1984, finishing 14 out of 18. Oklahoma City did draw extremely well for the NBA's Katrina-displaced New Orleans Hornets.

Orlando, FL:
Current home to the AFL Predators (13,626; 8/20) and former home of the XFL's Rage (25,563; 3/8).

Raleigh-Durham, NC:
A curious choice, considering the proximity to Charlotte's NFL Panthers. The WLAF's Raleigh-Durham Skyhawks drew only 12,753 fans in 1991, finishing 6/6, and were forced to relocate.

Sacramento, CA:
Last hosted football in 1994, as the CFL Gold Miners who drew 14,226 a game, finshing 3rd out of the 4 American teams.

San Antonio, TX:
Former home of the CFL Texans, who pulled in 15,855 in 1995 (4/5).

A real interesting list. Las Vegas and Los Angeles are shoe-ins, and in my opinion, Raleigh-Durham doesn't stand a chance. It will be interesting to see how teams that do feature big-time college football will fare - specifically Columbus, who drew so well in the overall poor-drawing WLAF.

Some other interesting notes: It's been confirmed that all games will be played on Friday nights between August and December. The league hopes to feature around ten players per team drawing seven figures. This will pull fringe NFL players, and will blow away competition from the CFL, AFL and upstart AAFL.

Also, don't be suprised to see the likes of Ricky Williams and Michael Vick serving their time in purgatory.

All in all, great stuff. I was beginning to wonder if this thing was ever going to get off the ground, seeing as how it was so long for more details to come out. I'll try to keep you updated.

We'll take a team in Long Beach...just outside LA, Cali baby....

[CanesSkins26]

This league will fail. Just like the rest of them did.

Um, the AFL is going strong.

[Steve Spurrier III]

The AFL's very different - lower salary costs, easier to find facilities. Not to mention that it's being subsidized by the NFL.