From what I understand (and it seems pretty obvious) the backers of the United Football League think there’s enough demand in this country for professional football that a second league could be successful. I know NFL Europe was canceled for being a bust and that the USFL didn’t make it, but maybe there’s room for the UFL. From what I understand based on brief research, the USFL posed a strong threat to the NFL but their ultimate goal was to merge the leagues in order to profit on the increase in franchise values. Their lawsuit didn’t work out and the league disbanded. So here’s my question to you: would you care for a second professional football league in this country? (and I don’t consider the Arena League competition). Should they compete using a fall schedule (and play on Thursdays and Fridays like they’re scheduled to do), go up against baseball during the summer, or play during the fall and serve as a minor league-type operation for the NFL?
I think bringing in coaches like Dennis Green, Jim Haslett, and Jim Fassel for three of the four UFL franchises (Ted Cottrell is the other), provides instantaneous credibility to the league. That’s enough to get my attention and make me think the league is for real. Imagine if they land someone like Michael Vick, too, how could we not pay attention? I don’t know if it would work, but I believe a pro football league like the UFL could work during the summertime, competing with baseball and ending before the NFL season starts. Is there enough of a market out there for another league in addition to the NFL? Should they try to compete with the NFL’s popularity or supplement them as a minor league system? Oh yeah, and if you haven’t already, please locate Versus on your cable network because that will be your home for all UFL action.
More Hot Stories at larrybrownsports.com
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 12th, 2009 and is filed under Football. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
I think it would be a better idea to have something like this join the Canadian Football league
and play by their rules. some changes will have to be made due to field size and such, but whynot?
at least they’ll get canadian viewers interested. I’d watch a usa vs canadian team for the grey cup
I don’t think this will be successful. Bringing in guys like Dennis Green, Jim Haslett, and Jim Fassel lends some credibility, but you can have the top coaches, yet if the level of player caliber isn’t top notch, what do you really have? I am sure the NFL isn’t going to let their players play in this other league, so recruitment is going look alot like the movie Major League meets Police Academy. I personally get enough fulfillment watching the NFL, and enjoy the break between seasons, so I can watch Baseball and Basketball. I guess the only upside would be if LA actually gets a team, then maybe I would go watch a game or 2.
I think I’d be interested just because LA doesn’t have a team and I’d love them to get one.
ok
Any truth to the rumors the Chargers want to move to L.A.?
LB,
I heard on Czaban’s show this league is being setup for the possible NFL strike in 2011, so if they do go on strike, the league will have 2 years under its belt and be fully operated and functional at that given time.
I don’t believe many people will be interested in it as they have seen this same deal before (you mentioned nfl europe, also the xfl), and they said its going to start in the fall, so what interest does it garner from the public? who is going to want to pay to watch players play in this economic time? even in los angeles I do not see big attendances.
Oh well, they are trying something, I can’t fault them for that, but why isn’t the NFL Network picking up these games?