Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Report: New start-up league could rival NFL/ FOXSports.com Posted: 50 minutes ago 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 senior executive 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.For those worried that the UFL will lack name recognition, Hambrecht and Armstrong already have one owner lined up: Mark Cuban, the billionaire owner of the Dallas Mavericks.And though the league is having a difficult time finding other owners, it appears Cuban is committed to the plan. The league intends to play its first preseason games in August of 2008.And where will the league find the talent necessary to attract fans?"(Former NFL coach) Bill Walsh used to tell me that the last 20 players cut from every team were almost interchangeable with the last 20 players to make the team," Hambrecht says.So far, the UFL has decided to put teams in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Mexico City. Cuban, unsurprisingly, is considering buying the team in Vegas, according to the report.</div>I doubt it'll ever actually rival the NFL. But definately could be more successful then the Arena League. Traditional 11 on 11 Style Football, that they need to put in the Spring so it doesn't directly compete with the NFL in terms of time slot. Hopefully with more fun things like Celebrations that aren't censored down. The only way they'll ever compete with the NFL though is if they can afford a big enough salary cap to pry away some reaconizeable names. Hell, even if they could pry a couple veterans like Eric Moulds who might go there and dominate for a few years (For the equivilant salary of NFL Vet Minimum) to extend his career and that'd be huge for them.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' Those are some huge names in the business world though. If there were people that could make a successful 2nd tier league, these guys would be some of the ones that could get it done.But then again, the NFL is so huge, I really can't see the UFL being a threat to the NFL.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' As long as Washington has a team, I'm all for it. If it doesn't, I'm totally against it.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ravenatic20 @ May 30 2007, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>UFL? This is just like the time they tried the XFL.</div>Not really. The XFL tried to market as an Blue-Collar, Hard-Nosed, Extreme Version of the NFL. Their whole premise was No Fair Catch, No Coin Flip, Every player is paid a Set Rate of money no matter what their resume is, and only gets paid more then that if their team wins. But Football is already a very good game as it is, and I don't think the changes were really welcomed by the Average Fan. It was more like a Circus. I do think this stands a chance of working if they run it correctly. 1) Move the league to the Springtime, they don't have the talent to be able to compete head-to-head with the National Football League. Play the games from February-May, Playoffs in June. 2) Play an Traditional NFL style of play. 11 on 11, Outdoors, Same Field Size, Same Rules for the most part. Don't be afraid to change the rules where the NFL is wrong (ie: Celebrations), but keep the core of the rulebook the same. 3) Try to market cities who want an NFL Football Team, but don't have one, as they already have with Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Los Angeles. It'll be difficult to pick up a real fan base in an NFL Established City, so only pick the essential ones that can support more then one team (New York, Chicago, ect.). Other places for teams are like Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Nashville, Portland (Oregon), ect. 4) Low Prices. Cheap Ticket Prices, Cheap Parking, Cheap Concessions. Cheap Merchandise. This is to get people into the stands. It's not the same watching a game in an empty stadium as it is to have a packed crowd. Smaller Stadiums would be ideal as they're not going to sell 50,000 seats at first. Not to mention it appeals to the Low-Middle Class Fans.5) Get National TV backing, convince a Channel like NBC to pick up your games. Hopefully Including a Primetime Slot.6) Have a very tough Personal Conduct / Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy. Nothing turns off fans like finding out your favorite player is a punk or a cheater. Come down harsh on them from the very beginning. 7) For players, pursue some reaconizeable names (Such as people like Eric Moulds who might be done by NFL Standards, but he could dominate a lower league for a Few More Years) and give them the equivilant of NFL Veteran Minimum Salary (They won't be able to compete financially with the big boys, but they could muster up Vet Minimum for someone who would be a 'Star' for them). This gives the league some credability. Then pursue the kinds of players you'd find in the Mid-Late Rounds of the NFL Draft (Such as a Troy Smith type) and try to convince them to enter the UFL draft instead as they'd be drafted there instead, have a much greater chance to step in and play, and again, they should be able to muster up about the equivilant of a 4th-5th round NFL salary for what would be a First Round Pick in the UFL. Then fill in the rest of the roster with 'replacement level players' like the article says.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' The NFL is way too big for any other league to challenge. I think that it can still be sucessful though, it will just never rival the NFL.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' You know what I think should happen if this league does follow through, is just like the NHL and even the MLB, using it as a "minor" or "junior" league. It could put in late round rookies to send down if they find that these kids need some sort of introduction to the league. I think it would be so much better than sending them to the CFL or the European leagues. I'd love to see it like that, as a development league for young guys and even throw some old guys who can't keep up with the NFL in there. That would throw in some leadership for the young guys who need to build up their potential and understanding of the game.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' This sounds pretty cool... Wouldnt be surprised if they get some guys with potential who would go undrafted in the NFL and make them really fuckin good. In the NFL those guys dont get much of a chance, here they do...
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' No way the NFL is beaten by some league like that. I doubt that the UFL will even attract many members unless, like Venom said before, their football games were held during spring while the NFL holds its offseason.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' you know this could all be a good idea, i really wouldnt mind decent football in a spring, cauz i just dont enjoy afl all that much.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' I like AFL a lot actually, but Baltimore or Washington needs a team...
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' Sounds awfully gay to me, the NFL is enough entertainment, there's really no point. These are just guys that are missing out on being a part of the NFL.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ May 30 2007, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ravenatic20 @ May 30 2007, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>UFL? This is just like the time they tried the XFL.</div>Not really. The XFL tried to market as an Blue-Collar, Hard-Nosed, Extreme Version of the NFL. Their whole premise was No Fair Catch, No Coin Flip, Every player is paid a Set Rate of money no matter what their resume is, and only gets paid more then that if their team wins. But Football is already a very good game as it is, and I don't think the changes were really welcomed by the Average Fan. It was more like a Circus. I do think this stands a chance of working if they run it correctly. 1) Move the league to the Springtime, they don't have the talent to be able to compete head-to-head with the National Football League. Play the games from February-May, Playoffs in June. </div>We already have Arena Football. Which is good. How about June-October. And I'm only for it if Chicago has a team.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DevinHester23 @ May 30 2007, 07:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ May 30 2007, 04:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ravenatic20 @ May 30 2007, 12:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>UFL? This is just like the time they tried the XFL.</div>Not really. The XFL tried to market as an Blue-Collar, Hard-Nosed, Extreme Version of the NFL. Their whole premise was No Fair Catch, No Coin Flip, Every player is paid a Set Rate of money no matter what their resume is, and only gets paid more then that if their team wins. But Football is already a very good game as it is, and I don't think the changes were really welcomed by the Average Fan. It was more like a Circus. I do think this stands a chance of working if they run it correctly. 1) Move the league to the Springtime, they don't have the talent to be able to compete head-to-head with the National Football League. Play the games from February-May, Playoffs in June. </div>We already have Arena Football. Which is good. How about June-October. And I'm only for it if Chicago has a team.</div>September and October makes them compete head to head with the NFL Schedule.....and lets face it. Arena Football sucks.
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' When they get this up an running, it'll give Vinny T a place to play..... :whistling:
Re: 'New League could Rival NFL' <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bucschamps02 @ May 31 2007, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just an AFL competetor.</div>Yeah I doubt they will be able to compete with the NFL, at all. I doubt they will even last more than a year of two.
