12/21/24
March 11, 2009
New football league off the ground?: Signs three former NFL head coaches. Already has TV contract for games. May try to sign Michael Vick and other NFL castouts. Is this the same league Mark Cuban was talking about forming back in 2007?
posted by graymatters to football at 06:01 PM - 20 comments
The official site has more details. The new league also has a news site, UFL Access, devoted to coverage. The top story today has the ballsy headline "The United Football League Doesn't Care About the NFL."
These things never work, but I think I'll give the Orlando franchise a try. We've got a better defensive line than San Francisco/Sacramento, and though our passing game is inferior to Los Angeles/Las Vegas, everybody knows that defense wins championships.
posted by rcade at 06:57 PM on March 11, 2009
Just four teams? Maybe if they were able to start with eight teams, the league might get some attention without the snickers. Could it be an above-average minor league, developing players for the NFL? It could, since their players will be young free agents who were not drafted and older players trying to get back into the NFL.
posted by jjzucal at 07:07 PM on March 11, 2009
Interesting. I like the logo. I love snickers. Why wait? Plus, spofites can take part in naming the teams. Not sure if Vick is capable of upholding their mission statement: To fulfill the unmet needs of football fans in major markets currently underserved by professional football by providing a high quality traditional football league comprised of world class professional football players... and some talented convicted felons who know how to play. (I added that last part)
And why do I get the feeling that every Google search I do will say "Did you mean UFL?"
In all seriousness, I don't dislike the idea, but as rcade said, these never seem to work, as the NFL is a major hurdle. Is there enough money to lose in order to gain any amount of leverage for fans to commit to a new league? I doubt it.
posted by BoKnows at 07:32 PM on March 11, 2009
"These things never work"
Umm, the American Football League -- 1960-70?
posted by afl-aba at 07:56 PM on March 11, 2009
Plus, spofites can take part in naming the teams. Las Vegas Gamblers.
posted by graymatters at 08:22 PM on March 11, 2009
I remember hearing something about a fool and his money. How's that go?
turns back to his plate of ramen, shaking head
posted by tahoemoj at 09:50 PM on March 11, 2009
Umm, the American Football League -- 1960-70?
The AFL and ABA were successful, but that was a long time ago. The existing pro leagues weren't as powerful then as they are today.
posted by rcade at 11:06 PM on March 11, 2009
The USFL had a nice idea, football in the spring, but then the Donald killed everything.
posted by jjzucal at 11:12 PM on March 11, 2009
It would make more sense to hold the season between Feb and June. You would still have access to stadiums until April (baseball), but even then, not much problem. And you wouldn't have to compete head-on with the NFL in the fall.
posted by BoKnows at 11:14 PM on March 11, 2009
Plus, spofites can take part in naming the teams.
Detroit Murders! Florida Abortion Clinic Bombers, San Francisco Queers!
posted by rodgerd at 11:23 PM on March 11, 2009
To fulfill the unmet needs of football fans in major markets currently underserved by professional football
And yet, no Detroit team...hmmm...
posted by MeatSaber at 11:35 PM on March 11, 2009
Maybe better to start with 4 teams and build from there than start with 12 and have to fold a few of them if the money gets tight.
Plus, like the NHL, if this thing hangs on and is able to expand in a few years, those teams can call themselves the Original Four.
For those who were thinking about Terrell Owens and wondering: "Why Buffalo, and why such a quick signing?", well, if you had the UFL Las Vegas team swarming all over the Care Bear of your dreams, you'd sign him in a hurry too.
posted by beaverboard at 11:59 PM on March 11, 2009
From the Official Site: The UFL will field teams comprised of the best players in the world and tomorrow's rising stars. Really? No, wait... Really? Hubris is one thing, but that is ridiculous.
posted by bobfoot at 12:00 AM on March 12, 2009
And yet, no Detroit team...hmmm...
Maybe the Lions should switch from the NFL over to the UFL. At least they might have a chance at winning a game in this league.
By the way, doesn't the silhouette of the QB on the site looks like Mike Vick but reversed as a righty? Hmmmmm, now that's interesting!
posted by BornIcon at 10:18 AM on March 12, 2009
I wish there was a team in the DC area. I love football, but tickets to the local teams are difficult to come by and incredibly expensive.
posted by bperk at 10:27 AM on March 12, 2009
You can bet that if Nancy Pelosi has anything to do with a team, its left side will be dominant. I would doubt that she would even allow anyone to line up to the right of center.
posted by Howard_T at 03:46 PM on March 12, 2009
Why play in the fall?
I would guess that the UFL plans to start its season shortly after the NFL teams finalize their rosters. They can then try to stock their teams with players cut by the NFL, including veterans who are let go and not able to sign with another team. They will end up with players who have already been in training camp and presumably already have the necessary conditioning to play. Thus, UFL training camp will primarily be about installing offensive and defensive schemes, etc. as opposed to conditioning.
posted by graymatters at 04:15 PM on March 12, 2009
I wish there was a team in the DC area. You can bet that if Nancy Pelosi has anything to do with a team, its left side will be dominant.
I think there should be 2 DC area teams, the
Conservative, Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White, American Males*
and the
Tree Huggin, Peace Lovin, Pot Smokin, Porn Watchin, Lazy Ass Hippies, (like me).*
*special thanks to Tom Snyder
posted by Folkways at 11:04 AM on March 13, 2009
No exhibition games. Well they've got one detail right.
posted by Newbie Walker at 11:28 PM on March 14, 2009
One of the principal investors is husband of House speaker Nancy Pelosi. Do I smell antitrust hearings in the NFL's future? Be afraid, NFL, be very afraid.