Will the UFL align itself with youth football communities and programs in many ways the NFL has?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We absolutely have a plan to service the community and help encourage youth participation.  We have already started this process by donating $25,000 in Las Vegas to save the district's "Hall of Fame" games and plan on taking similar measures in our other markets.   The Florida Tuskers held an open tryout this past weekend to give local players an opportunity.  Our ultimate goal is to act as a governing body for all of football.  We will be holding clinics conducted by our coaches and players.  We will encourage youth football teams to attend UFL practices.  Eventually, we intend on investing in fields and equipment for youth on a local basis.

Hey uncle frankie, its pete i wanted to say hi.

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Hi Pete.  Hope you bought your Hartford tickets.

How does the ufl plan on marketing towards casual fans who might not know about the ufl.

COO Frank Vuono:

We are trying to reach even the most casual fans through all of our marketing efforts, including social networking like Facebook and Twitter, internet media as well as traditional media and various sports news distribution.  Of course, our message of total access and low ticket prices will hopefully convert the casual fan into an avid UFL fan.

Will the ufl have fantasy games or other ways for fans to be involved if so what ways will fans be involved?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We understand that fantasy is important to our fans and we are exploring the best way to accomodate this.  Of course, fantasy will be a challenge since we have no player performance history.

Will there be a UFL Draft in year 2? and If so who will be in the draft mix of college seniors and free agents?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Yes, we are anticipating holding a Draft for our second season.  The Draft will be for athletes who have completed their college eligibility.  We will also continue the practice of contracting with NFL street free agents.

i want to say thank you for bringing football to orlando. we really miss our arena team, and the nfl season isn't enough professional football. football is something we need more of, what makes this leauge feel it will be successful?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Thanks so much for your support. As you said, places like Orlando are underserved by NFL football.  Our plan is to provide high level of football to those fans who can't get enough.  This is why we are playing in the fall, real outdoor football.

In regards to some rule differences the UFL has implemented to create excitement and slight separation from the NFL, are their any other changes in the works?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We will continue to examine the rules to better enable the fans to enjoy our games.  Our goal is to be traditional yet innovative in all we do.  

Will the UFL continue to search for larger venues to play in or will they also include venues with a smaller capacity level as well?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Ideally, our venues will match the size of our fan base in each local market.  At all times, we want to make sure our fans have a first -class experience at our games; therefore we will seek venues that can provide this.  If smaller venues can accomodate our fans in such a manner, we are happy to play there.

Are the teams currently in negotiations for local radio coverage?

COO Frank Vuono:

We are having on-going dicussions with both local and national radio partners to broadcast our games.

Will you have bands at all of your games this season?

COO Frank Vuono:

The UFL plans on having their own team bands beginning in our second year.   In our "Premiere" season, we will be inviting certain youth league and high school bands to participate during our game day festivities. 

Hello Mr Vuono. I must say my family and I are very excited about the upcoming UFL season. We have purchased Six tickets to both games at the Citrus Bowl and for Tropicana field. Are ticket sales going well? Are they where you guys inticipated them to be at this time?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Since we began our ticket sales last week, we are very happy with our advance sales to date.  We are anticipating an even greater response once our advertising begins in each of the local team markets.

Are you planning to be a Minor league to the NFL or a Rival?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We certainly don't consider ourselves a minor league.  While we hope our league provides opportunities for some players to showcase their talent for the NFL, our ultimate hope is to provide the highest professional level of football for fans who are underserved by the NFL. 

When will replica jerseys and individual team merchandise become available?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We currently have some team and UFL merchandise available at our online store, www.getufl.com and will be adding more over the next few weeks.  Once the rosters are set and the season begins, we will have replica jerseys available for sale.

Should we expect to see a pre-game and or post-game analysis show on the Versus network?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

This season broadcasts on VERSUS will be full game only.  We are exploring pre-game and post-game shows for next season.

Can we expect the UFL to have an all-star(pro) game in the future years to come?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Brent; yes, we plan on having an All-Star (pro) game in the upcoming years.  

Will there be yearly coaches/player award announcements at season's end?

COO Frank Vuono:

Yes, we plan on recognizing our top coaches and players on an annual basis.

The northjersey.com article stated "uniform designs take 18 months from conceptualization to completion" and implied that Sofka and Caruso did not have 18 months to create uniforms. It also stated that Sofka and Caruso are currently in the process of designing next season's jerseys which will be unveiled during the Premier Season. Will Season 2 uniforms be unveiled during the Premier Season? If so, why - given the less-than-enthusiastic response afforded to the Premier Season uniforms - would UFL leadership opt to significantly cut short the amount of time available to take uniform designs from conceptualization to completion?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Brian; thanks for your thorough research regarding the development of our Premiere Season uniforms. It is true we had a shortened window for developing our first season's uniforms. Many factors contributed to our tight timetable, but everyone, especially Ron and Jeff, did a great job executing a concept which supports our brand. Gamewear, our uniform supplier, did an outstanding job executing the designs. I would submit that there is more "make" in these uniforms than most NFL uniforms. I know, since I ran the NFL's on field program for many years. Study our uniforms closely and see if you see what I am talking about.  BTW, the 18 month scenario for the NFL has more to do with trademark protection and cleaning out the "pipeline" of merchandise inventory than it does with pure design time.  As for season 2, we are working on logos as we speak, but we are not committed to having new uniforms for this season. So we have a bit more breathing room for season 2 uniforms. While not quite 18 months, I am confident it will be enough time to have terrific looking uniforms for every team.

Will each team display their own logo on their helmets for the "premiere" season" as sort of an introduction to their true team colors or will they all display the "UFL" shield?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Brent; We are hoping our logos will be finalized in time to be displayed on the field in some way this season. The helmet is one possibility.

Is New Era in the possible plans as the hat company of the league? As the far and away leader in fashion and game hats, UFL hats would sell not only to fans but majorly to the public as a style hat.

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Ben; we would love to have New Era as a licensee. They were one of my licensees at the NFL. However, my good friends there don't think we are serious enough or big enough to take a chance on us; or maybe their baseball business just has them too busy to take us on right now. We will therefore be with solid young companies that are hungry to prove themselves like our players. I assure you we will have fashion hats as well as "old school" hats available for our fans to buy.

Are bands still going to be apart of the UFL games? What other fan enhancements might we expect?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Gregory; We absolutely plan on having bands for every team in our league.  As we are really trying to integrate ourselves into the community and be good neighbors, we are going to invite certain youth league and high school bands to participate during our game day fesitivities for the "Premiere" season.  The same goes for cheerleaders.

Are you worried that if you have stripes on the the football, at least white stripes, that fans may think of this league as inferior to the NFL and closer to college? I don't know how unique you can make a football, except for what the Arena League and XFL had done.

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Kevin; we are trying to be innovative in all that we do. With our ball, we have to balance that desire to be innovative with the issues of assuring performance for our players. Our QB's and our receivers want to show their talents off to the NFL. So our ball has to be the same size and weight as the NFL ball. However, we asked Wilson, our ball manufacturer, to let us have their latest innovation. We will announce those specific differences once our ball design is tested and approved by our players and coaches.

Any thoughts of alternate helmets, like home/away jerseys? Not too many teams have this. I like what the University of Oregon has done.

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Kevin; At the NFL I loved this idea, but it never really caught on. We will certainly consider this as we develop our future uniforms.

When will team logos be announced?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We are diligently working with our graphic design consultant, Ron Caruso of Pure Partner Designs, on the development of team specific logos.  We plan on unveiling the designs in late September.

Hello Mr. Vuono, I am one of the players who will be playing this year and would like to take you and the league for the oppurtunity that the league creates. I am curious about what the rules will be about what cleats we can wear. I have spoken with a few other players who are also worried about this situation. I do believe as players we should be given the oppurtunity to wear the shoes that we feel comfortable in and that we feel we can perform the best in. I understand the league is still in negotiations with licensing brand but in terms of cleats myself and other players believe that the cleats should be the players choice as it was in college and the nfl. Also what will be the policy for eye shields(visors)? will we be allowed to were colored visors? thank you

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

I look forward to meeting you when camps open.  Regarding the shoes ("cleats") players can wear, we will issue shoes from one manufacturer who has an agreement with us.  However, we will allow players to wear whatever they are comfortable with.  We may require that, as with the NFL, logos of non-licensed manufacturers are covered up.

Michael Vick ended up signing with the Eagles for 1.6 M, which is rumored to be what the UFL was offering him to play? Did you feel like the NFL or the Eagles should of withheld on the deal, helping both Vick and the UFL get going.? After all, the Commisioner Goodell isn't even allowing him to play until your season is pretty much over. Any thought of making Dante Stallworth an offer to play this year?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Commissioner Huyghue has publicly stated many times that the UFL would have welcomed Michael Vick to our League if he was unable to sign with an NFL team.  We are happy he was able to find a home at the NFL and wish him success.  He will add a great dimension to the Eagles' offense.

I want 2 kno why cities like San Antonio , New Jersey , San Jose , Baltimore arent being consider 4 expansion teams?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Greg, expansion is paramount to our long term success.  Our plan is to provide professional football in underserved markets; however, if a new owner expressed interests in a market that currently hosts an NFL team we would explore the opportunity and conduct analysis of the viability of a second professional football team.  This was the approach we used for our "Premiere" season when Paul Pelosi preferred to have a team in San Francisco and Bill Mayer showed an interest in a New York franchise.

Mr. UFL COO Frank Vuono, First I would like to introduce myself. My name is Rochelle Porter and I am a photojournalist with the San Diego Monitor News. Previoulsy I have interviewed, Head Coach Ted Cottrell and published an article on the UFL and the future plans for the league. I have written sports articles on the San Diego Chargers, and several players from a more personal view not just sports, Tiger Woods, Dick Williams, and Rickey Henderson to name a few. I would love to form a relationship with the UFL to get the word out to the public. Most people that I have come in contact with thinks the UFL is just another name for the USFL. I think I have a pretty clear understanding of your format and football that I have and will be able to make the public understand that the UFL playing style and format is no differnet than the NFL, just less games and a shorter seson and a second chance for those player that didn't get drafted for one reason or another including injuries,or other personal circumstances that has kept them out of the NFL. Through the UFL they will be able to stay in shape through full contact and easily be available for transition into the NFL should the opportunity arrives. Please consider hiring me to write about the UFL in the San Diego, LA area through my personal contacts of newspapers and magazines. I can be contacted through Coach Cottrell or email me at peachefash@cox.net

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Rochelle, thanks for you support and positive feedback.  We will have our PR Director follow up with you soon.

Have you guys completely shut the door on expansion into NFL cities like Chicago or Detroit or if an ownership group presents an offer you guys couldn;t refuse, would you put another franchise in an NFL city?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Greg, expansion is paramount to our long term success.  Our plan is to provide professional football in underserved markets; however, if a new owner expresses interest in a market that currently hosts an NFL team we would explore the opportunity and conduct an analysis. This was the approach we used for our "Premiere" season when Paul Pelosi preferred to have a team in San Francisco and Bill Mayer showed an interest in a New York franchise.

Does the UFL plan on expanding into network TV (most likely The CW or My Network TV)?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

We are thrilled to be with Versus (Comcast) and HDNet this season. Every game of our first season will be nationally broadcast in HD! Our contract with Versus is multi-year. We are hoping to experience terrific success with the folks who "brought us to the dance" and we'll see what happens after that. We obviously would like to have as many fans experience our games as possible, so we will stream every game on our website as well.

How many players will be on each teams final roster (ex. NFL teams have a 53 man final roster)

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

A.J., each team will have 50 players on its final roster.

why did the UFL choose these if it wants to be taken seriously? To me they aren't football type names but i will Loco's fan anyway. thank you

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

James; we promised to be a League for the fans. Many fans actually picked these team names and will be acknowledged as such at our first home games. We also worked with branding/naming experts and naturally received input from our owners. Our team names all have relevance in their respective markets. They also will be able to be protected legally, which will enable fans to buy their favorite team’s merchandise. So you see, we do want to be taken seriously.

Will there be any preseason games/scrimmages? If so, will they be televised or webcast?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Skeleton, there will not be any preseason games this season; however, we are in the process of setting up scrimmages in the Orlando, FL and Casa Grande, AZ at the end of September.

Are you planning for the nfl players to go on strike and come to the ufl?

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Adam, we are asked this question frequently.  The vision behind the United Football League (UFL) was not founded on the hope of an NFL player lockout in 2011.  Our founder, Bill Hambrecht, has long believed there is a demand for more professional football and room for two professional football leagues to coexist.  We believe our strategy is sound and reflects Mr. Hambrecht’s vision.  We do not hope or wish for an NFL strike in 2011.

Hi Frank, I'm very excited for the UFL and really hope that it does well. My concern is that the uniforms are too uniform...There doesn't seem to be enough separating them in terms of color scheme. It seems a little boring. Will the uniform colors ever change or are these set in stone. Thank you. GO UFL!!

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Jonny, these "Premiere" season uniforms are for this inaugural season only.  They are all based on the design and colors of our UFL logo.  The uniforms are in fact uniform on purpose!  Don't fret; however, uniforms will incorporate new colors that go with each team's respective logo next season.

will there be another florida workout ??? i hope so

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Quentin, yesterday’s workout in Orlando was an astounding success with over 1,000 participants.  Our football operations department and the Tuskers’ coaching staff did a great job organizing and running the event.  Unfortunately with training camp right around the corner, we do not plan on scheduling another workout this season.

Will the games be webcast for those that do not have cable? Same question for those that hve cable but do not hav Versus or HDNet.

UFL COO Frank Vuono:

Andrew, we plan on streaming all UFL games on our official League website.  We will also archive the games and have an VOD feature which will allow fans to watch our games at a later date.