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UFL to be NFL Minor League Farm???

CloakNNNdagger

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Could there actually be an covert "arrangement" of "non-compete" between the UFL and the NFL? In light of the loss of the NFLE, could the NFL actually support the establishment of the UFL as a "developmental league" with a wink-wink here, and a wink-wink there..........and maybe a couple of bucks under table. Hmmm.


UFL Conducts Workout


The United Football League held its first workout today in Orlando, Fla., with coach Dennis Green and personnel man Rick Mueller overseeing the activity on the field.

Afterward, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue, a former Jacksonville Jaguars executive, issued this comment on his Twitter account: “Congrats to Coach Green and Rick Mueller on an excellent job with the workouts. A very talented group of players. Tick Tock.”

According to UFL spokeswoman Rachel Gary, Green gave an inspirational motivational speech before the workout started.

“Pleasantly surprised with the speed of the players considering the field conditions after the rain,” Gary wrote.

There was no immediate word on who tried out for the UFL today. The league has billed itself as requiring prospective players to have some sort of NFL background.

“Workouts are by invitation,” Huyghue wrote. “Players must have NFL experience. We are designed to reach young players with some NFL experience. We want players to finish our season and be able to jump on NFL rosters.”

Recently, UFL coach Jim Fassel, the former New York Giants head coach, said that he wouldn’t be opposed to giving Michael Vick a shot.

The league has franchises in Orlando, New York, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.
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[LINK]
 
4 franchises? That's just nothing...wouldn't seem to be much excitement just having the same 4 teams play over and over.

Not that I hope for failure. I've always enjoyed football in any form but 4 teams?
 
I've been preaching for a couple of years now that the NFL should keep the NFL Europe idea, but do it right here in the good ol USA. Right here where fans are starving for football and where we can get a whole lot more and better coverage than we got across the pond. Put it in cities like San Antonio, OKC, Vegas, Portland, Louisville, San Jose, Salt Lake, Memphis, Orlando, Katy, etc. Cities that don't have an NFL team and big enough to support it like those mentioned. Hell, maybe even Los Angeles could finally get a team.

I don't know why, with the NFL's backing, that they wouldn't do something like that. As big as minor league baseball is, I don't see why a 12 team or so, developmental league to the NFL couldn't do as well or better.

It'd sure give the NFL Network something to do in the off-season.
 
I've wondered about "farm leagues" before. If 2 or more NFL teams "share" a farm team... then are they helping an opponent? Let's say the best QB on the
farm team is being groomed by a particular team; what does it benefit the other team(s) for that QB to play? :thinking:
 
This week was the first tryout.........next one is in Las Vegas. The UFL plans to have a formal draft next year. Per PFT:

former Baltimore Ravens first-round pick Travis Taylor and former Arizona Cardinals first-round selection David Boston were a few of the players in attendance, UFL spokeswoman Rachel Gary told us in a telephone interview today.

Besides Taylor, other ex-NFL players on hand included: tight end Jermaine Wiggins, quarterback Quinn Gray, wide receiver Reche Caldwell and running back LaBrandon Toefield and wide receiver/defensive back Bobby Sippio.
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I remember reading earlier that the season will be considered a "mini-season" which begins in October. If this is so, it is not staggered to the NFL offseason like the NFLE. They will be going head to head. The other point IIRC, the UFL is intended to expand to 6-8 teams in 2010. I suspect they'll probably I adding to their rosters as NFL cuts occur.
 
It's a good opportunity for bordeline pros to extend their careers and advertise themselves to the big leagues.... also expands the player base for the NFL.....

I think its a good idea in theory.

I guess like most things it will come down to $$$$.

One question, does minor league baseball make a profit?? Or do these teams operate at a loss but get propped up by MLB teams?
 
kiwitexansfan said:
It's a good opportunity for bordeline pros to extend their careers and advertise themselves to the big leagues.... also expands the player base for the NFL.....

I think its a good idea in theory.

I guess like most things it will come down to $$$$.

One question, does minor league baseball make a profit?? Or do these teams operate at a loss but get propped up by MLB teams?
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Minor League baseball does pretty well and there are many teams that turn a significant profit. They are able to charge much less for tickets since they are subsidized by MLB in a way. They are not responsible for player payroll, the parent club is. Interesting Forbes article here:

In the first-ever exhaustive analysis on the finances of minor league baseball, Forbes ranks the 20 most valuable MiLB teams. We focused our study on the 160 minor league teams in either class AAA, AA or A (excluding rookie leagues) that, although they are independently owned and operated, are directly affiliated with a Major League Baseball team. Such teams have their ownership and capitalization vetted by both MiLB and MLB.

The most valuable team is the Sacramento River Cats, an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics owned by Art Savage and worth $29.8 million. The River Cats drew more than 700,000 fans last season (an average of 10,000 per game), the most in the minors.

The River Cats play in Raley Field, among the best stadiums in baseball, period. Raley Field is just eight years old, located just beyond California's State Capital. Affluent patrons can been seen sipping Johnnie Walker at the bar, and the stadium has become a hot place for young adults to socialize on Friday and Saturday evenings. The River Cats own the stadium, which pulls in big advertising bucks from the likes of Coca-Cola (nyse: KO - news - people ). Lawn seats can be had for $5, and the team will throw you an 80-person fajita party in the James Hardie Party Deck for $3,800.

Rounding out the top five: The Memphis Redbirds, The Frisco RoughRiders, The Round Rock Express and the Indianapolis Indians, publicly traded under the ticker symbol INDN. Since its thinly traded shares were listed on the pink sheets in 2004, the price of Indian shares increased to $24,000 per share from $16,000, during a period the S&P 500 tanked. In 2007, the Indians increased the dividend to $350 a sh
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I honestly prefer minor league baseball in many ways. It's cheaper, there are usually a ton of other events going on at the same time, and I like it when it's a little more laid back and less crowded. Also many minor league stadiums are incredible. I've been to Round Rock, Frisco, San Antonio, and Corpus here in TX. Corpus Christi has an absolutley amazing field by the way, great place to catch a game. The nicest place I've ever seen a game was in Asheville NC, which has one of the most amazing sports stadiums I've ever seen nestled in the Appalachian hills.
 
I also prefer minor league baseball to MLB. It is a more appealing atmosphere.

Anyway, a 4 team league is boring. I do think that it is a good base for a minor league system though. I dont think there are 32 cities that can support a minor league team, but there should be 16. A neutral party would own the team, and get the team prospects from an AFC team and an NFC team.

Just thinking this out a little:
Las Vegas
Orlando
New York City
The San Fran team moves to San Jose
Columbus
OKC
Salt Lake City
LA
Portland
Omaha
San Antonio
Birmingham
Lousiville

Ok, so I have not made it to 16
Honolulu?
 
I like the idea of having a "farm system" in the NFL. Guys like All-Pro Guards Brian Waters helped themselves by going to NFL Europe to hone there skills before returning to the NFL. Also, this would be a good way of spreading football fever locally and nationally in cities such as San Antonio, L.A., Las Vegas, Portland, etc.
 
Speedy said:
I've been preaching for a couple of years now that the NFL should keep the NFL Europe idea, but do it right here in the good ol USA. Right here where fans are starving for football and where we can get a whole lot more and better coverage than we got across the pond. Put it in cities like San Antonio, OKC, Vegas, Portland, Louisville, San Jose, Salt Lake, Memphis, Orlando, Katy, etc. Cities that don't have an NFL team and big enough to support it like those mentioned. Hell, maybe even Los Angeles could finally get a team.

I don't know why, with the NFL's backing, that they wouldn't do something like that. As big as minor league baseball is, I don't see why a 12 team or so, developmental league to the NFL couldn't do as well or better.

It'd sure give the NFL Network something to do in the off-season.
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That's the best idea I've heard in a long time. I'd rep you if I could.
 
rmartin65 said:
I also prefer minor league baseball to MLB. It is a more appealing atmosphere.

Anyway, a 4 team league is boring. I do think that it is a good base for a minor league system though. I dont think there are 32 cities that can support a minor league team, but there should be 16. A neutral party would own the team, and get the team prospects from an AFC team and an NFC team.

Just thinking this out a little:
Las Vegas
Orlando
New York City
The San Fran team moves to San Jose
Columbus
OKC
Salt Lake City
LA
Portland
Omaha
San Antonio
Birmingham
Lousiville

Ok, so I have not made it to 16
Honolulu?
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Alba-quirky/El Paso
Reno/Sacramento
Memphis/Little Rock
Vancouver, BC

Just my seven cents. :specnatz:
 
rmartin65 said:
I also prefer minor league baseball to MLB. It is a more appealing atmosphere.

Anyway, a 4 team league is boring. I do think that it is a good base for a minor league system though. I dont think there are 32 cities that can support a minor league team, but there should be 16. A neutral party would own the team, and get the team prospects from an AFC team and an NFC team.

Just thinking this out a little:
Las Vegas
Orlando
New York City
The San Fran team moves to San Jose
Columbus
OKC
Salt Lake City
LA
Portland
Omaha
San Antonio
Birmingham
Lousiville

Ok, so I have not made it to 16
Honolulu?
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How about:
Memphis
Milwaukee
Des Moines
Ft Worth
Portland

almost forgot Shreveport/Bossier City
 
You know, I was about to ask why New York City needs a minor league football team. Then I remembered they don't have one and Jersey has two. Staying in the same state, I think Buffalo might be a strong candidate for a minor league football team. I kind of doubt the Bills are going to be there much longer.
 
Roger Goodell has said he wants a minor leage/farm system. College football is a good way to find and develop players for a few years, but if a team wants to develop a 3rd string QB, there just aren't any options. I can't see the NFL starting anything up until the economy is healthier. I'm sure the NFL can afford to do it, but it's not the best thing to do PR-wise.
 
At this point, it seems that the UFL pay scale sets them up as an NFL "farm league" rather than a true competition. Good and successful UFL players could be prime meat for NFL pickings.

The memo confirms that, indeed, the base pay will be $35,000.

But not for kickers, punters, and long snappers. Per the memo, they'll be paid at a base rate of only $25,000.

The sole exception will be the league's four starting quarterbacks. Though there's no stated limit regarding their pay, each UFL teams is permitted to pay its starting quarterback an amount more than $35,000.

Players who land on injured reserve will receive 50 percent of their prorated base pay for the remainder of the year.

Each team will be permitted to bring 60 players to training camp in September. The number reduces to 50 for the regular season. Teams are permitted to dress 45 players on game day, along with a third quarterback.

Although Jason La Canfora of NFL.com has reported that up to $15,000 might be available in additional compensation based on playing-time incentives, the memo does not mention any specific amounts. Instead, the memo explains that the UFL "may establish" a discretionary Player Performance Pool, which will be aimed at rewarding the top-performing players on each team.

"The formula has not been finalized," the memo states, "and may be based on such factors as playtime, starts, and other performance thresholds and will be distributed solely at the League's discretion after the end of the regular season and Championship Game."

Also, the active members of the active/inactive roster of the team that wins the UFL championship will receive an extra $5,000, and the members of the active/inactive roster of the second-place team will be paid an extra $2,500.
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New league will consider signing Vick

NEW YORK – When the United Football League debuts in October, Michael Vick could be one of its players.

Michael Huyghue, the commissioner of the new four-team league, says the UFL is willing to give Vick a place to play — provided there are no pending legal issues. His rights belong to the Orlando franchise.

"One of the things that is important in our premiere season is to showcase the quality of talent and the coaches, and to be able to show outstanding players who find themselves in this quagmire the NFL creates," Huyghue said. "Michael Vick might be that kind of player because he is ... a phenomenal talent, but he needs transitionining back into the NFL.

"Also gaining as much widespread exposure for the league as possible might be addressed with Michael Vick."

Huyghue said he will monitor the Vick situation closely and "if he is free and clear of legal issues, we will look at the situation."

Vick already has served an 18-month sentence in federal prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He is under home confinement until July 20, after which the NFL is expected to announce whether the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback will be suspended.

Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, has not played football since the 2006 season.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090703/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbo_vick_ufl
 
I still don't see how a 4 team league can succeed...how boring playing the same teams over and over.
 
WWJD said:
I still don't see how a 4 team league can succeed...how boring playing the same teams over and over.
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yeah, and if one of them is really bad, or really good, it gets even worse in these start up leagues. I still don't understand why they are playing during the regular NFL season. If they were playing in the spring they might get some attention from football starved fans.
 
Thorn said:
yeah, and if one of them is really bad, or really good, it gets even worse in these start up leagues. I still don't understand why they are playing during the regular NFL season. If they were playing in the spring they might get some attention from football starved fans.
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I don't get it but maybe I'm missing something? Nope..just the 4 teams.

I can't see fans in ANY city getting excited about this. I hope it succeeds but gosh I don't get it.
 
WWJD said:
I don't get it but maybe I'm missing something? Nope..just the 4 teams.

I can't see fans in ANY city getting excited about this. I hope it succeeds but gosh I don't get it.
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It worked for Roller Derby when it first started. If it has any "entertainment" value, and it doesn't run out of money, it could allow for the planned annual expansions. It could actually end up being supported as a farm system, by mutual agreement, by the NFL. Even in the unlikely event that it could be a "competition" league, it would take years. I could more likely see the entire organization, if somewhat productive, "bought out" by the NFL for full control and benefit of their own "personal" farm league, ala NFLE. In other words, this time, let someone else take the financial risks, and be there to reap the benefits.
 
Start-up UFL aiming to complement, not challenge, NFL

More evidence that this will be an NFL "farm system." The 4 year NFL veteran minimum figure of $620,000 is probably the number reserved for Vick if he is shunned by the NFL. Eight teams anticipated for 2010 season. Thursday night games only, viewable on cable network only.

It also will use NFL rules, with some alterations. For example, each team will get the ball once in overtime; sudden-death rules apply after both teams have had a possession.

Grounding by a quarterback under duress will be allowed in the pocket as well as outside of it, and all replay decisions will be made by an official in the replay booth, not by the referee.

Where the UFL most visibly will differ from the NFL is the look of the uniforms, where sponsor names likely will appear.
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CloakNNNdagger said:
Start-up UFL aiming to complement, not challenge, NFL

More evidence that this will be an NFL "farm system." The 4 year NFL veteran minimum figure of $620,000 is probably the number reserved for Vick if he is shunned by the NFL. Eight teams anticipated for 2010 season. Thursday night games only, viewable on cable network only.
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Grounding by a quarterback under duress will be allowed in the pocket as well as outside of it
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Carr would fit in quite nicely. :backsout:
 
I like some of the rule changes, like the overtime change, but I hate them taking what is already a pansy system on grounding and making it even worse. So QB's can ground the ball anytime, anywhere. How about just putting tutus on them and saying don't hit the guys in tutus.

If running out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage counts as a sack, why doesn't downing the ball or throwing it away for no reason other to avoid getting hit? At least they guy running and coming up an inch short was trying to make a play.

[/rant] - I know it won't change.
 
What's wrong with the existing "NFL Farm System" .. also known as NCAA Division I College Football?

If this alternative catches on, some players may elect to go to the UFL instead of arguably "obtaining a college education" and playing in the NCAA.
 
Another fact that I found (outside of this article) to be of interest is that with the majority of costs to the NFL being the player salaries (70%), the UFL will allow the players agents....................BUT, SALARIES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE!!
 
Looks like this supports the initial intention of the post of this thread.

UFL softens its NFL exemption

Though the standard UFL player contract that we received last month explains that any player who applies his Herbie Hancock to the document cannot sign with an NFL team before November 28.

But a source with knowledge of the situation tells us that, last week, the UFL softened its stance, permitting anyone who signs a deal before August 1 to leave for the NFL before the end of the UFL season.

In our view, this is the first tangible step toward making the UFL into a true in-season minor league for the NFL, with players being called up from (and, in time, sent down to) affiliated UFL franchises.

With only four teams for its first season, it'll take a while before the UFL can become a genuine minor league. But the UFL has the right idea -- if it can find a way to complement and help the NFL, the UFL has a chance to succeed.
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