To compete with the NFL, the UFL would have to provide something outside of what the NFL has already offered. To be successful in a market such as professional sports, one must be willing to risk a change to bring big name player to smaller venues such as Augusta instead of Atlanta or Team Georgia instead of a city. "Spectator Ownership" is where professional sports will end in the future. I have an idea to make it happen. 

To compete with the NFL, the UFL would have to provide something outside of what the NFL has already offered. To be successful in a market such as professional sports, one must be willing to risk a change to bring big name player to smaller venues such as Augusta instead of Atlanta or Team Georgia instead of a city. "Spectator Ownership" is where professional sports will end in the future. I have an idea to make it happen. 

Why not bring in some HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS ( who are strong, ability-wise but don't have the grades to go to college). 

Hey,am glad that the UFL is here.Am a Kenyan rugby player playing for my university team in Uganda.I love American football and would love to play it at a higher level.I would like you guys to hold try outs through out the world and expecially Kenya where there is alot of talent.You may never know where the next L T or Reggy Bush would come from. 

find a new way to present live pro football…maybe smaller stadiums with lots of great vibe and VIP amenities---Harvard Stadium, Michie Stadium…kind of like the Stones playing a small club…. Pick really cool 20.000-30,000 seat places….sell out the games…be different and unique…forget the rules…create a cool product for TV and advertisers…no gimmicks Michie Stadium Metro New York Harvard Stadium Boston Wrigley Field Chicago Yale Bowl or UConn Connecticut U DE Stadium or Franklin Philadelphia Grambling Louisiana U Tennessee Chattanooga Tennessee AEG soccer LA Home Depot, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Toronto Kezar or Spartan SF Rubber Bowl Akron  

Sadly this entire league is going to come down to a few simple things. What days the games decided to be played on. Friday, Saturday, and especially Sunday are going to be a no go. Monday night i dont think will get much play either. Lets face it High school football takes up alot of peoples time on Friday and College and NFL are going no where. people will always be waiting for opening kickoff. Now this is assuming you have the season start in September still, which my work center and I have already discussed none of us would would switch over to because we still like the NFL. Now...If this was changed to after the superbowl and the season opened thats a whole different story. I think if the UFL opened up then the turnouts and profits would soar to different heights considering there is a couple month span before you even get to withness the draft for the NFL. To be smart about this, one should try to start the season seperate from other football seasons to test the waters to see if this even pans out.  

i love football on all levels and just can't get enough of it. Having a new league going head-to-head with the NFL is aewsome. Although, I beleave that a Spring/Summer schedule would be a better idea. That way, it's not as hard to compete with the NFLin a similar time slot. What I mean is, you won't be trying to market to any NFl diehard's, of wich, there are millions. The Spring/Summer schedule has NO football whatsoever going on and would perfect because, the real footabll fan want football all the time. That's just my opinion and, by the looks of the blog, many others agree. Just think about it, OK? 

There most certainly is a market for more football especially pro and especially in the fall. You folks had me worried when you pushed back your launch date. As I said in another blog" Slow & steady". I'm glad you are taking your time, doing the research and making all of the necessary preparations to kick this league off. I have nothing but good thoughts about this league and I cannot wait until kickoff. It's very smart to put a franchise in a major market like N.Y and California. It's money, T.V and builds up that love hate relationship for the smaller cities in between. One last thing...PLEASE, if it is at all feasible STICK TO YOUR BLUEPRINT. Don't let any body sway you into doing something stupid like expanding too fast or by blowing your salary cap.

 

I love the idea but why the fall ? Why not after February when all other football is over and people are still craving more. This fills a void and at the same time is the only game in town.

 

I agree there is a market for more football- Like From February to July. This is the worst time for sports. Baseball isn't very exiting until after the allstar break. And lets face it the NBA is more choreographed than a Britany Spears concert. The UFL could fill that great void left after the Superbowl. You are leaving a greatly untapped market on the table.

 

CANADA.... CFL's alright but we need a new team, Bills are not comming so give us something.

 

friday night competing with high school football isn't a good idea

 

I don't agree with Monterry. How bout Mexico city if you're going to go to mexco. Oklahoma city, Cleveland,Ohio , Columbus,Ohio , Richmond, Virginia , Madison, Wisconsin , Savanah, Georgia , London England, Tokyo, Japan, Hong Kong, China , and Madrid, Spain, would be some other good choices. And there is no way San Fransisco and New York should get another football team.

 

Congrats, this idea you are making reality is sure to be a great hit. I just hope in time you choose to expand into more teams. There are so many areas that could support a UFL team and the talent out there is just waiting to be gobbled up. I do have a few ideas for greater promotion for the UFL, with a few short months left until opening day I feel you should really be branching out to the public for more awareness. One of the ideas in general would be very sucessful for the UFL and promotions. I would like to talk to you about this on a more personal conversation if you would be willing, after all a short conversation could help in the long run get excitment going. That is if you have the time. Thanks and lets get ready for some UFL football. Greg, Ohio

 

I would consider Milwaukee as a place for a UFL team because of its population size and how far away of a drive it is from green Bay.

 

I love football as much as the next fan, I watch my local High School, I have a favorite ACC team SEC team and Big 12 team. I even have a sunbelt team favorite. I have a top five favorite NFL teams that I really enjoy. I still have plenty of room in my life for the Game I Love most. My only beef here Comish is that why September? Why not Mid to late December or even early Jan.??? I mean if you are truly not competing with the NFL then why have it during the regular season. Let's save these AFL guys from those tiny arenas and put them out on a real Football field where they really want to be. And use the same time of year. If you choose to launch in Sep. then I am not sure you are serious about the longevity of a league that has hardly begun to be born. With much respect.

 

Do you think we could finally get some pro football in Detroit?

 

It's about time an alternative to the NFL came along, what I would say is don't strangle things with too many ludicrous and pedantic rules, that will help fan enjoyment, don't price your regular fans out for the sake of getting the "business crowd" in and most of all, make it fun!!!!!! As for markets: get some that are close together for "real" local rivalries, something the NFL just doesn't seem to get LA, San Jose (if you get a dodgers/giants atmosphere going this will work) San Antonio, Austin Portland, OR Vegas Hartford-Providence (may attract some patriots fans who can't get to those games) Just my $0.02, best of luck

 

This should be cool. To get great results you need players and to get great players you need to Have Great Coaches I suggest you raid the Big 12 or go after coaches that left the game Like a Jim Mora or Dennis Green

 

There is never enough football. I was a huge fan of the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars in the USFL. With the number of players graduating from colleges undrafted, I think there are enough quality prospects to build several teams. One word of warning, don't get in a bidding war with the top picks or UFA's in the other league. I hope Raleigh, NC can also field a team.

 

I am glad to have another pro league that will welcome and showcase talent for players that were looked over coming out of college and it also can redeem a player like Mike Vick that would draw huge crowds!

 

THANK YOU UFL! Hartford has deserved a football team for a long time! I have lived in the Hartford area practically all my life and I have been waiting for a moment like this...Not only do cities like Hartford and Salt Lake City finally get teams, players that have been overlooked finally get a place to showcase their talents. It's about time! And to the person who was against the San Francisco idea...San Jose would be a great place to put a team, use the facility San Jose State uses...San Jose has over 700,000 people by itself, which is more than enough to support a team, so yes, the UFL is really smart and I believe in the UFL!

 

The northern Rocky Mountain states strongly support their college football programs. The problem is finding a centrally located population center. Rapid City, SD has good highway access from all four compass points and might draw fans from WY, CO, NE, SD, and ND. Speaking of NE, Omaha would seem to be an obvious choice. Huge appetite for football in the northern great plains as well...

 

A recent article says Michael Vick may be right for your league. Of course we all know Michael Vick is a convicted felon. Coupled with his continued denial of his crime until he could no longer deny it because of the evidence he then pleaded guilty. You want him playing in your league. Michael Vick couldn't even get a job as a bank teller because of the felony conviction. Football (and most other sports) players are looked upon as roll models. What kind of message is this sending to the kids of America? Is it ok to do the crime because you will be able to play in time?

 

I agree markets such as memphis, milwakee, san antonio, burminham, should have been chosen before san francisco, they have the 49ers and Raiders, a third team, I dont know. Same thing with NY, maybe since both teams play in NJ, then a team in NY would be fine. Los Anges great choice, Las Vegas (I dont know thier AFL attendance is not very good). Salt lake good choice, Monterey i dont know if this is a good choice. Orlando is a great choice, Hartford as well.

 

Best of luck to the UFL, thought I disagree with putting 2 teams in NFL cities and think that it would make more sense to go to places like San Antonio TX and Norfolk VA, who don't have pro-football and are hotbeds for young talent.

 

The Hartford-New Haven television market remains the largest in the nation without a professional sports franchise. One need only to look at a map to understand why. Nestled in between the two major cities of the northeast corridor, Hartford has often been referred to as the "rest stop" between Boston and New York. Once the NHL departed nearly twelve years ago, Connecticut became UConn exclusive. With tickets to UConn football and the regional NFL teams hard to come by, coupled with the availability of one of the nation's newest football stadiums, the UFL and Hartford would seem to be a perfect fit. Best wishes to Commissioner Huyghue, who's a Windsor, CT native, in his attempt to create a wonderful opportunity for players and fans alike. Tony Terzi, Wallingford, CT

 

I can't emphasize enough how excited I am about the possibility of a UFL team in Salt Lake City. I've always maintained that professional football couldn't work in this area if played on Sundays, but having games on Thursday and Friday nights would be perfect. There is a lot of passion for football in Utah... Just look at the crowds for the Utes and Cougars. I'm positive that's well run, locally owned team in Salt Lake City would be a great success, and I'm already looking forward to purchasing season tickets.

 

HEY I AM SO EXCITED THAT YOU GUYS ARE FINALLY HERE. BEST OF LUCK I KNOW THIS LEAGUE WILL BE GREAT.. I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION.. WILL THERE BE OPEN TRYOUTS? AND IF YES WHEN? AND HOW CAN I REGISTER FOR THEM? I LIVE IN LAS VEGAS AND WOULD LOVE A CHANCE TO PLAY FOR THE LAS VEGAS TEAM..REGARDS, JOSE VOLONTE, LAS VEGAS MY EMAIL jose.volonte@gmail.com

 

San Francisco? Okay, maybe I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, but with markets like San Antonio, Memphis, Birmingham and even Milwaukee where football would be welcomed why go toe to toe with the NFL? I understand it in NYC, the biggest market, but San Fran? This league looks like it wants to take markets that have been over looked and then in the same breath chooses San Fran. Far be it from me to think I'm more of a genius than the powers that be, but I hope the San Fran idea has been fully vetted.

 

I hope the UFL works out for the long haul. It would be very exciting if the NFL and UFL came to an agreement where players could be assigned to the UFL rather than be cut or placed on the practice squad. Every other major sports league has a developement league. Why not football? If someone from the UFL should read this, please have a rule that if a game should go into overtime, the other team should have one chance as well. The college format is very exciting.

 

This is a dream come true, I was just telling my wife last week how I'd love to play football again. But even more than that, how I'd love to own a team.

 

Is it in your plans to eventually work with the NFL to just become another farm league for them, or what? I mean college football is already a free source of talent. The NFL is not going to let you just take some of their fanbase without a fight or a price just because you want to SHARE some of the revenue. I wish you the best of luck, I really do, but I have a hard time seeing the becoming a national success outside of the teams local markets because thats the only real void. The more football the better. But if the on field product is not spectacular, you better have some well known players to create interest or it will be tough.

 

As a Resident of Casa Grande, I am excited to hear that you will be training here in Arizona! May I suggest you look at Tucson as a potential market because they are losing all the Baseball Teams and their AAA team as well! Maybe the people would love to have a football team to root for?Even if you dont play in AZ, I believe Las Vegas and Los Angeles will support pro football! Hopefully, the location of your facility will provide some jobs locally and maybe some players will live here permanently! Personally, I wish you good luck in this venture and hope evryone whos in the West Division will like our hospitality in the future!

 

I am interested in an administrative position with the new league. I believe with new ideas which are innovative and progress is imperative in operatiing a new league. what do I need to do to be a part of this new exciting proffesional football league, especially with it's growth and marketing potential.

 

Best of luck for the UFL, and I hope you get off the ground, and be successful. And You're right, the NFL and UFL can co-exist together, and I hope you won't make the same mistakes the XFL did in 2001. Go Team NY!

 

Coming to Hartford, CT is a brilliant idea... UCONN huskies football is constantly sold out, 40,000 seats, and tailgating is #1 there. Friday nights would be well supported...

 

Best of luck to the UFL, I hope this league gets off the ground. Would like to hear your plans regarding grass-roots marketing. I think you have a loyal base already built, just waiting to spread the word around.

 

Will there be tryouts?? I am a 4 year NFL veteran born and raised in Las Vegas,NV what are my opportunities to go to camp and play for the LV team???? Regards, Tony Newson

 

Wow! I cannot tell you how excited I am to see you launch! I too, do not see the UFL as competition to the NFL but as a vehicle to create an opportunity for those fans not in a NFL market currently. Also, even if in a current NFL market, it is a great opportunity to enjoy more of the game we love! On Thursday and Friday no less! The wait is finally over!

 

Portland is the 23rd largest metro in the US will they ever get an expansion team because if I recall Oregon Sports Authority would love to get a pro team and I think that the new USFL said that there were several groups that would own one also Oregon passed a bill that give a pro baseball team 150 million I am sure a football team could us that to build a stadium

 

I am glad to hear that you are not going to try to replace the NFL. I think co-existing leagues could only help the nation. I also like the thought of having teams in places where there should be some. The way your league is headed looks to be bright!

 

I love the idea of having a league besides the NFL. I also think the idea fo starting in october should be changed to be like March til like July because there aren't a lot of sports that compete at that time. Also I live in Iowa and I would love to have a team relatively close such as nebraska or south dakota, or even iowa look out how we sell out hawkeye games eaily 70,000 people and ever since we lost the barnstormers people have wanted a team back so just consider like iowa city or omaha instead of the NY and San Fransicos who already have two or three teams 

I agree with the other fans who think that you will be much more successful if you aren't competing with NFL, NCAA and high school football seasons. I would gladly get behind year round football - a lot of us have withdrawals from February to August. I don't think that I'll be able to fit another variety of football in with my already busy standard football season. 

i don't like the idea of having an ufl in San Franscisco because of the 49ers, but a possible ufl team in new york is a idea as long as the team's home stadium in NYC!!! possibility New Yankees or Citi-Field!!! Having an ufl team outside of U.S. is a dump idea.....REMEMBER NFL EUROPE!! Also more than 8 hrs to play an away game. It's bad enough that players who play for nfl on the westcoast to travel to the eastcoast, but traveling 12 hrs to play an away game against a team from london, tokyo, or anterdeam is adding insult to injury!! Possible cities for expansion teams: Lousiville, Ky Birmingham, Ala San Antonio, TX Columbus, Ohio Memphis, Tenn. Austin, Texas San Jose, Calif Portland, Oregon Oklahoma City, Ok Fort Lauderdale, Fl Grand Rapids, Mich.  

I have waited many years for ah pro team in my great city of Los Angeles. Do you know what this means to ah man like me?. I have two son's,both love football,but we have no home team!. I'M ah die hard niner fan,but My family have become die hard UFL fans today!. I can't wait to take my family to the games..can;t wait to start something long term with my son's. The market is there,it's everywhere!. I been sick of the NFL for many years,and my prayers have been answered!. Mr. Huyghue, I guarantee,by the third season,you will have NFL marketing Potential around the world.

 

ok//so i love the idea of the ufl...it seems like a great idea, but the idea of having teams in NFL cities sounds like competition to me..why not start out with areas with no NFL teams, like Richmond, Va...or go to England or somwhere unexpected