United Football League-2008!

[whodeyforever]

How about having two football leagues playing at the same time?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6863932 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6863932)

The NFL may be the most successful league in the country, but that doesn't mean it's without competition.
Bill Hambrecht, a Wall Street businessman, and Tim Armstrong, a seniorexecutive at Google, have decided to start up a rival football league,the United Football League, according to a report on the New York Times web site Wednesday.Forthose worried that the UFL will lack name recognition, Hambrecht andArmstrong already have one owner lined up: Mark Cuban, the billionaireowner of the Dallas Mavericks.
And though the league is having adifficult time finding other owners, it appears Cuban is committed tothe plan. The league intends to play its first preseason games inAugust of 2008.
And where will the league find the talent necessary to attract fans?
"(FormerNFL coach) Bill Walsh used to tell me that the last 20 players cut fromevery team were almost interchangeable with the last 20 players to makethe team," Hambrecht says.
So far, the UFL has decided to putteams in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico City. Cuban, unsurprisingly,is considering buying the team in Vegas, according to the report.

[biggie]

I would be ok w/ that. I used to watch the XFL so I would probably watch this. If they had some decent names to start w/ it will def pull some people. But it is hard to tell if it will catch on nation/world wide.

[Jom112]

Very smart placement of teams. I haven't gotten into Arena Football though so I doubt I'll get into the UFL...

[Danno]

If they really want to give this thing a shot at surviving, they need to start the season in March and end in August.

1.) This makes them completely independant of the NFL schedule, which will at least initially get all the attention.
2.) Fills a void that we all loathe, the offseason of both NFL and NCAA.
3.) Gives them roughly the same operating time as the NFL.

only thing they have to do is stay somewhat resembling the NFL and NCAA game quality. None of the XFL / Arena / Canadian style.

[Bengal Dude]

I loved the XFL and I'll give this a shot. I think it's a little weird that they're going to put a team down in Mexico City. Hopefully some other people will step up as owners.
I agree with Danno that they should hold their season during the NFL and NCAA offseasons to help fans cope with the withdrawls.
One thing that's got me puzzled is what networks are going to carry the games. ESPN, FOX, NBC, CBS all have deals with the NFL. Disney owns ESPN and ABC so I'd rule ABC out of the picture. This league is going to run the risk of being put on Spike TV or even that Versus network that the NHL plays on.

[34inXXIII]

only thing they have to do is stay somewhat resembling the NFL and NCAA game quality. None of the XFL / Arena / Canadian style.

I actually think completely opposite of this approach. I think they need a gimmick that truly sets them apart from the NFL if they intend to be a long-term product in the United States. They need their own niche.

The CFL & NFLE survive because they have their own markets (not to mention the NFL's backing of NFLE). The AFL is dramatically different, providing the excitement of offense-dominated gameplay that TV networks can more easily sell to viewers and, therefore, potential fans. They also had the benefit of tailoring their product to smaller arenas that are easier to fill and more plentiful than huge stadiums, which also physically gets them into markets that are simply not feasible nor desirable for the NFL.

The WFL & USFL provided little different from the NFL and failed rapidly. The USFL even managed to obtain some quality players and future NFL stars once their fledgling league tanked. Then there's the XFL, which proved that football fans aren't going to flock to just any gimmick.

Fans are not going to flock to a league that is considerably inferior to the NFL and lacking the fervor of the college game. They need to set themselves apart. What can they do to accomplish this? Honestly, I don't know. While I enjoyed watching the Arena League in its infancy, I did not imagine it would become what it is today. Maybe this would make for an interesting addendum to this debate. If you also believe this league needs to create its own niche - a gimmick, if you will - what are your suggestions?

[Bengal Dude]

I liked that there was no coin toss in the XFL. They had a player from each team sprint 20 yards towards the ball and whoever got the ball decided of they wanted to kick or receive.

[Buckeyehitman]

That was cool, but it would never work in the injury phobic NFL.

[calell83]

From what I read they wanna play on Friday nights, and then the article mentioned the NFL doesn't do this so people watch High School football which implies it woudl eb played at the same time.
I agree, for this to work it needs to happen in the offseason for the NFL..Maybe Start in March and run until August when NFL preseason starts....
They said they are figuring on getting people drafted in the 3rd round or lower or undrafted free agents at first. Of course Cuban then quoted Tom Brady being picked int he sixth and seems to think som other great QB is goin to fall like that....
I thinkit woudl be best if the game was a close cousin of the NFL and NCAA....some mix of both maybe....

[Bengal Dude]

They need to realize that placing the season during the NFL and college offseason would be the smartest choice. The NFL has crushed any league that has rivaled it. The offseason wouldn't be much of a competition because the UFL wouldn't have to worry as much. It would also make sense to see if it could compete against the Arena Football League.
Cuban also talked about picking up players who would be low in the draft. If these players show some talent, don't you think they're going to jump to the NFL and pick up a bigger contract?

[Dr.Johnny Fever]

How about having two football leagues playing at the same time?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6863932 (http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6863932)

The NFL may be the most successful league in the country, but that doesn't mean it's without competition.
Bill Hambrecht, a Wall Street businessman, and Tim Armstrong, a seniorexecutive at Google, have decided to start up a rival football league,the United Football League, according to a report on the New York Times web site Wednesday.Forthose worried that the UFL will lack name recognition, Hambrecht andArmstrong already have one owner lined up: Mark Cuban, the billionaireowner of the Dallas Mavericks.
And though the league is having adifficult time finding other owners, it appears Cuban is committed tothe plan. The league intends to play its first preseason games inAugust of 2008.
And where will the league find the talent necessary to attract fans?
"(FormerNFL coach) Bill Walsh used to tell me that the last 20 players cut fromevery team were almost interchangeable with the last 20 players to makethe team," Hambrecht says.
So far, the UFL has decided to putteams in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico City. Cuban, unsurprisingly,is considering buying the team in Vegas, according to the report.


740 the team, in Orlando has been talking about this for the past week. Supposedly, they will be able to draft along with the NFL after round 2. They plan on having Friday night games because of NFL TV contracts. These are just some of the things that caught my ear besides the fact that it sounds like Orlando is interested in possibly having a team.

[Bengal Dude]

Hmm, so we have 4 projected sites in: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Mexico City, and now Orlando.
There's supposed to be 8 teams, so who will have the other 4 teams? It's supposed to be cities that don't have NFL franchises.

[biggie]

Hmm, so we have 4 projected sites in: Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Mexico City, and now Orlando.There's supposed to be 8 teams, so who will have the other 4 teams? It's supposed to be cities that don't have NFL franchises.
I figure maybe Columbus(they dont have an NFL team now) as well as some other east coast cities. If they dont try to get in some major markets on the east coast it will never ever work.

[34inXXIII]

I'll throw out Portland, Oklahoma City and San Antonio as possible destinations, although I have to wonder how a pro league playing on Friday nights would be accepted in high school football hot spots like Oklahoma & Texas. Chicago & New York always have to be considered becuase of their ridiculously attractive markets.

[Bengal Dude]

I'll throw out Portland, Oklahoma City and San Antonio as possible destinations, although I have to wonder how a pro league playing on Friday nights would be accepted in high school football hot spots like Oklahoma & Texas. Chicago & New York always have to be considered becuase of their ridiculously attractive markets.

I also thought of Portland being one of the locations. I agree that a Texas and Oklahoma team wouldn't work because those places are very serious about their football and football routines.
Does anyone see Cuban leading a push to get a team in New York City? The Jets and Giants both play in New Jersey so New York City doesn't have a team. It'd be something to see a rival team in the NFL's home.

[34inXXIII]

While New York City itself doesn't truly have a team, I don't know of there is actually a stadium in NYC that could even accomodate one. Maybe there's a college field somewhere that would be big enough to meet Cuban's goals for a team there. Of course, I wouldn't rule out New Rutherford either. Unless there's some exclusive agreement with the Jets & Giants, they could cetainly fit some games in there on Friday nights. In fact, I'm thinking they wouldn't be heartbroken if they manage to schedule some games on there the same weekend the Jets play there, since they will be getting their own stadium in future anyways.

[Bengal Dude]

I think you're right about there not being a stadium in NYC, but maybe put one nearby? I know that there's some colleges in that area and I don't know how big they are, but depending on what they want, they may want to play in one of those fields. I know Cornell and Columbia are in NYC. I believe I-AA Stony Brook is in Long Island, so maybe.
I'm just really trying to think of some other cities for these teams. Do you think they may try to put one in one of the Southern states? I was thinking that Alabama could be a good place for a team, but I'm thinking that Alabama may be a college football state. You have the big rivalry between 'Bama and Auburn. A couple of my friends have also said that UAB has decent following in that state.
I also believe that if this league takes off then the city that could benefit the most would be Las Vegas. They've wanted a pro team for so long, but officials worry about the gambling factor.

[34inXXIII]

Good point about placing a team in the South. Instead of Alabama, though, how about playing in LSU's stadium? They've already got at least some experience hosting pro football when the Saints were displaced.

[Bengal Dude]

I thought about Louisiana, but that team would have to compete with the Saints. I don't think it'd be a good move to put a team very close to the Saints since that area showed immense devotion after Katrina. I was thinking that Arkansas, Mississippi, or Alabama would be good spots. I remember the XFL put a team in Birmingham and it a decent-sized hardcore fan base. I'm thinking that maybe try Birmingham again or possibly Little Rock or perhaps Jackson.
34, I know that some states have hardcore rivalries between schools. Is it that way in North Dakota with UND and NDSU?

[BengalBubbs81]

Honestly I could really give a flip about another pro football league & think it is crazy to have it the same season as the NFL & college. I get my football fix each week from Fri to Mon not to mention the other college games that have started popping up on Tues & Thurs. Then after the college regular season the NFL starts popping up on addtl nights.
Like mentioned above, a league in the off season might draw my attn a little to give me a small fix until fall but I have absolutely no interest to watch another league opposite HS, college & NFL. I think it will be a huge flop in addition to the fact I like the NFL product & dont wish to see any competition.

[34inXXIII]

34, I know that some states have hardcore rivalries between schools. Is it that way in North Dakota with UND and NDSU?

It used to be until NDSU made the jump to Division I a few seasons ago. It's actually been a good move for the Bison. In football, they nearly knocked off Minnesota last year in the Metrodome and their basketball team win in Wisconsin a couple of seasons ago and stunned Marquette this last year (and will open against Florida in 07-08). Meanwhile, UND continues to be a force in hockey. They just don't seem to do much head-to-head anymore.

[busamboy]

Why is everybody so against this thing being in the regular season. If anything this just makes the nfl better because there is another pro field for players to make an impact. We have more Kurt Warner's and such. But beyond that, watching inferior football is what makes the nfl so great.
You watch college and it is a huge downgrade from the nfl. I don't really even like to watch college football, but its football. Now we will have something that fills in the gap. Also, its not like they are trying to make teams in cities that already have a home football team. You don't think that people in Vegas won't want to watch a game because they play on fridays. I'll tell you what, having your team play friday night is better than Sunday night or Monday night when you have to work the next day. You can't really enjoy yourself as you could when your hometeam plays on Fri.
Also, because football is so popular, everybody plays it. There is only 32 teams people, with 53 people making it on the team a year. That is a ridiculously low number of players for the amount of talent that there is. There is 250 veterans that leave the pro game every year because of new draft picks. I'm sure some of those 250 still want to play football. The drop off in talent will be very small in my opinion. Obviously I know that their probowlers wont be as good as nfl pro bowlers, but there will be a chance for college players to shine as the talent will be a small drop off.
Not to mention that if they make the salaries compeatable for the nfl coaching vacancies, we could very well see some top coordinators jumping to the new league for more money or to move to a their home city that didn't have a pro team before but now has one. There is also many good college coaches that may want to jump to the pro level but haven't been afforded the chance to yet. This could be very interesting as this is the first attempt for someone other than the nfl taking football very seriously in america.

[BengalBubbs81]

Why is everybody so against this thing being in the regular season. If anything this just makes the nfl better because there is another pro field for players to make an impact. We have more Kurt Warner's and such. But beyond that, watching inferior football is what makes the nfl so great.
You watch college and it is a huge downgrade from the nfl. I don't really even like to watch college football, but its football. Now we will have something that fills in the gap. Also, its not like they are trying to make teams in cities that already have a home football team. You don't think that people in Vegas won't want to watch a game because they play on fridays. I'll tell you what, having your team play friday night is better than Sunday night or Monday night when you have to work the next day. You can't really enjoy yourself as you could when your hometeam plays on Fri.
Also, because football is so popular, everybody plays it. There is only 32 teams people, with 53 people making it on the team a year. That is a ridiculously low number of players for the amount of talent that there is. There is 250 veterans that leave the pro game every year because of new draft picks. I'm sure some of those 250 still want to play football. The drop off in talent will be very small in my opinion. Obviously I know that their probowlers wont be as good as nfl pro bowlers, but there will be a chance for college players to shine as the talent will be a small drop off.
Not to mention that if they make the salaries compeatable for the nfl coaching vacancies, we could very well see some top coordinators jumping to the new league for more money or to move to a their home city that didn't have a pro team before but now has one. There is also many good college coaches that may want to jump to the pro level but haven't been afforded the chance to yet. This could be very interesting as this is the first attempt for someone other than the nfl taking football very seriously in america.

I think you are in the minority on your feelings about college football. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere at college football games. Not just the big schools but all schools are steeped in traditions & rivalries. People are very passionate about college football. Not that there are no traditions in the NFL but not to the extent of college. The NFL is more like a business or corporation which it is.
Two professional football leagues just cant exist during the same season. It will have no chance against the monster that the NFL is. The drop off in talent would be bigger than you think. The league would be full of has beens & never was' and would not be able to offer the dollars the NFL can. You mention it's not like theyre putting teams in cities that already have teams....The NFL already has teams in the largest markets (aside from LA) that has the dollars to sustain a pro football team and there's some teams in the NFL struggling to do that.
The only other pro football league in the past to compete with the NFL was the AFL and we know what happened there. That would not happen this time as the NFL already has 32 teams & could not take on another 8-12 teams.
And as far as the coaches, it's highly unlikely this new league could compete with the NFL for coaches salaries. All of these top coords you mention jumping to the new league...didnt teams like Dallas & SD struggle finding new coaches. If the talent pool was that deep would Norv & Wade be the head coaches of those franchises? Lastly, many college coaches making the jump? You dont have to do much research to see how unsuccessful most college coaches have been in their stint in the pros.
Bottom line, it would be an inferior product to the NFL and with the tv contracts pro & college football have been getting, football is popping up on more & more nights during the week. It's highly unlikely a new pro league would last.

[johnson85chad=bengals]

I think it would be stupid to have 2 leagues. i wouldnt mind a minor league team like they have in baseball