Amid all the analysis of the CBA negotiations I found an interesting article on ESPN.com today discussing the future of the United Football League and how it would stand to benefit from an NFL work stoppage.
The UFL began playing football two years ago as the latest attempt to create another competitive football league besides the NFL just like the XFL, NFL Europe, USFL and the Arena League (now owned by the NFL) to name just a few. The UFL hoped to succeed where others had failed by bringing in much more recognizable players and coaches who had had some success at the NFL level. 4 of the 5 teams have former NFL head coaches like Jim Haslett and Jim Fassel and a bevy of former NFL players including Daunte Culpepper, Jeff Garcia and even embattled former Ohio St. RB Maurice Clarett. The most successful aspect of the UFL has been that it has become a landing spot for many NFL veterans who are cut from their squads during the preseason who now have a place to play during the fall which can aid in landing them another job in the NFL later on in the season.
Unfortunately the UFL has had trouble taking off and has lost a total of more than $80 Million in their first two years alone which has hindered their ability to expand. Because of these financial woes they also alienated some of their players who had trouble signing with NFL teams midseason because the UFL demanded a $150,000 transfer fee meaning players had to wait until the end of the UFL season.
It now appears that the UFL may be on its last legs if the league cannot generate enough revenue during it's 3rd season. However a work stoppage in the NFL would surely be a boon to the UFL who could take advantage of the football-starved fan base. Personally I don't hold out much hope for the UFL's future although it wouldn't completely surprised me if the NFL invested in the league, even partially, and tried to develop it into a type of minor-league like the NBA's D-League.
The UFL season kicks off on August 7th to try and avoid some of the competition they have with the NFL fans. Not sure how that will go however.
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