The United Football League held its Annual League Meeting at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, FL, on April 22 and 23. More than 60 staff from the league and team levels met to discuss all facets of UFL business including Marketing, Football Operations, Sponsorship, Digital Media, Public Relations, Broadcasting, Player Development, Player Personnel and Officiating, Finance, Medical, and Video Technology. "We have made significant progress since last season and our meetings here this week underline that there has been key growth in the UFL," said Commissioner Michael Huyghue. "This league has established a platform for longevity, has a very bright future and we will be around for a long time. "We are delighted that HDNet Chairman Mark Cuban has strengthened his interest in the UFL beyond his broadcasting commitment by becoming an owner in the league." Owners and investors Bill Hambrecht, Paul Pelosi and Bill Mayer met with Commissioner Huyghue and the league's five head coaches Jay Gruden (Florida Tuskers), Chris Palmer (Hartford Colonials), Jim Fassel (Las Vegas Locos), Jeff Jagodzinski (Omaha) and Dennis Green (Sacramento Mountain Lions) to discuss the 2010 UFL Schedule. The 2010 United Football League season will kick off on Friday, September 17 and will conclude with the Championship Game during the week of Thanksgiving. The majority of games will be played on Fridays and Saturdays and will be televised on HDNet, VERSUS and a third broadcast partner to be announced at a later date. The full 2010 UFL Schedule will be announced on Tuesday, April 27. Bill Peterson was promoted from the position Vice President of Operations to Chief Operating Officer and will oversee all facets of UFL business with overall responsibility for marketing, revenues, ticket sales, sponsorship, operations and public relations. Peterson will govern the organization in the absence of Commissioner Huyghue. Celebrating the Las Vegas Locos winning the United Football League Premiere Season championship, head coach Jim Fassel presented owner and league founder Bill Hambrecht with a championship ring. "Bill played the biggest role in bringing this league together and deserves a championship ring more than anyone," said Fassel. "He was supportive when we lost and I can not think of a better owner a coach could wish for." Among the areas of business discussed, meeting attendees received presentations on the recently re-launched UFL-Football.com website, digital media, video technology and medical procedure. Outcomes of the meetings included: To ensure the UFL remains at the forefront of social media networking and maintains a policy of engaging its fans, the league will continue to embrace new trends including HubSpot and FourSquare and will increase its presence on Twitter, Flickr and Facebook. A TV advertising campaign will run during the build up to the 2010 UFL season, highlighting the accessibility and excitement of the league. The UFL will introduce cheerleaders, mascots, fan clubs and high school clinics as part of the 2010 season initiatives. To compliment the impact of the new 2010 UFL season, the league will provide its fans with a line of top quality merchandise including products that appeal to male, female and younger followers of the five teams. The unique lines of warm and cold weather apparel will be a step above regular event merchandising and will represent true value for money. Coaches and owners filmed promotional spots with Emmy award-winning Red Line Films that will be available for media to access and will also feature in future advertising promotions. The UFL Competitions Committee, chaired by Mountain Lions head coach Dennis Green, met to consider rule changes. More news and photographs from the League Meetings will be posted on www.UFL-Football.com and on social networking site www.Twitter.com/theUFL.
