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USFL to return in 2013

R

Ryan

THIS YEAR
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7916459/usfl-return-fred-biletnikoff-advisers

"We will play in markets where there are no NFL teams or major league baseball teams. It's a league for guys who are on the bubble for making NFL teams, and we will have complete open access for the NFL. We want to build a model that is sustainable."

The USFL is looking at a 14-game season from March until June in eight cities. Its players would then be free to join NFL clubs at their training camps.

All player and coach contracts will be owned by the league, with salaries not approaching anything the NFL offers.

Cities currently being considered are Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City; San Antonio or Austin, Texas; Columbus or Akron, Ohio; Oklahoma City; Omaha, Neb.; Raleigh/Durham, N.C.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Memphis, Tenn.

"These are cities with underutilized facilities at that time of year," Cuadra said.
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I didn't exactly know where to put this. Mods move if necessary.
 
I dont know why teams do this... Minor league system (a true minor league, like how the NHL and MLB have it) is the way to go. Limit it to rookies or players who are under X age. Make the teams close to their parent team. Boom.
 
jaayteetx said:
Damn Albuquerque can't even be considered for the USFL! This town sucks for sports.
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I lived in Albuquerque back in the mid 60s. The one thing I remember is looking out past the back yard and seeing a small desert like area with tumble weed bushes, and the other way was the mountains. It was nice. I believe that was in '66, I was a sophmore at Highland High School.
 
Thorn said:
I lived in Albuquerque back in the mid 60s. The one thing I remember is looking out past the back yard and seeing a small desert like area with tumble weed bushes, and the other way was the mountains. It was nice. I believe that was in '66, I was a sophmore at Highland High School.
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Hah, my yard is a desert like area! And the mountains are out east of me, it is beautiful. I live in Rio Rancho, I bet it was nothing when you lived here. Hell, it was nothing just 15-20 years ago, now its the fastest growing city in the state or it was till Intel started downsizing.
 
Great, first I learn that the world ends on Dec 21st, 2012 then I find out the USFL is coming back right after that in 2013 as the Anti-league. I pretty much blew off the Mayans till now. With this news just in I just may consider myself a believer now.
 
......next spring. Not head-to-head with NFL. Could also be the "developmental league" or at least a nice pool for the NFL.

USFL will return next March

April 1, we told you that the USFL is back. We then told you that, no, it’s not an April Fool’s Day gag.

The four-letter football league recently announced that it will return to action next March, with eight teams and a 14-game season.

Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff will consult on football operations, according to the Associated Press.

It’s not a revival of the prior league, per se. The name as been purchased and it’s a new operation, with the league itself employing the coaches and the players — and with no effort to compete with the NFL. Instead, the goal is to provide a complementary, developmental, offseason alternative.

And it could work. If it does, however, an enterprising lawyer or two may file a concussion lawsuit on behalf of those who played in the original version of the league.
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Love the offseason idea, but they SHOULD compete with the NFL by not having a lot of the last 20 or 30 years worth of stupid rules.
 
More info released earlier this year.

The new USFL announced today (2/15/2012) that the organization has been acquired by San Diego-based EndZone Sports Management, LLC.

Also announced is their targeted launch in the Spring 2013.

Michael Dwyer, new USFL founder, spoke on the Vegas Unwrapped radio show.

According to Dwyer, the plan is to launch in the Spring 2013 with a minimum of eight teams. The league itself is being run by EndZone Sports Management’s President and C.E.O. Jaime Cuadra. Also involved in the new league is Fred Biletnikoff, C.O.O. and VP of Football Operations.

EndZone plans to announce team locations this Summer.

Dwyer’s role now moves to that of team owner of the USFL’s Los Angeles team. Dwyer is still planning on his team playing at Cal State Fullerton, a detail announced last year on “The Las Vegas Playbook,” the Las Vegas Informer’s former radio show.

Further league-level details on the new league will be the coming from EndZone.

According to the USFL website, theusfl.net, the league has already hired a public relations firm, Crimson Marketing & Public Relations, as well as a social media management company, Brand North.
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Here are additional Facts about the NEW USFL.
 
I would like to know sources of players. Just college or ex-NFL, arena guys or walk up wanna be's? Probably all. If used as a development league by NFL it could work. I am not interested in baseball farm clubs so this wouldhave to be a bit more to get my attention.
 
From above link:
There will be no mandates where team owner / operators locate their teams, but expecting to have a nationwide footprint. Desired locations include teams near hubs of collegiate football and in markets that do not have strong professional sports competition in the spring.
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***************************************************
Some additional good information about the new league.


New USFL is back, this time as 'triple-A spring football league' for NFL

The original United States Football League (USFL) lasted just three seasons, from 1983-1985, and included such notable players as Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Doug Flutie, Jim Kelly, Mike Rozier and Steve Young. Now, a quarter-century later, it's back.

And this time, instead of competing directly with the NFL, the plan is to have the USFL serve as a minor league for players hoping to graduate to the big time. This is the vision of Jaime Cuadra, who has acquired the USFL brand and will serve as president and CEO of what he hopes will be an eight-team league set to begin play next spring in non-NFL cities. Cuadra has hired as a consultant Jim Steeg, the former San Diego Chargers COO, who, for 34 years, also served as the NFL's man in charge of Super Bowls and special events.

"I like the idea a lot," Steeg told the San Diego Union-Tribune's Nick Canepa. "I haven't talked to anyone who thinks the idea sucks. If you truly believe a triple-A spring football league has merit, this is the way to go. It's not meant to compete with the NFL. It will give players the opportunity to develop. There are 3,000 football players and only 1,800 roster spots in the NFL. Particularly with the NFL's new CBA, I think this kind of thing has a different place."

Cuadra understands that trying to take on the NFL is a fool's errand.

"The USFL and UFL did the same thing -- they weren't fiscally responsible," Cuadra said. "The XFL went totally gimmicky. It's not going to work with purists. NFL Europe was a great idea, but costly. We can see the mistakes that have been made and try to avoid them.

"We're going to play in the spring when fans are dying for football. We're going to take players who didn't quite make it to the NFL and develop them -- we're talking anywhere from 1,000 to 1,800 kids and giving them a living wage, $3,000-to-$3,500 per game, and give them unfettered access to the NFL. They will be paid by the league, to keep things under control."

And unlike previous professional football leagues, the new USFL will have an open-door policy with the NFL.

"The NFL can come to practices; if they want one of our players, we aren't going to stop them," Cuadra said.

As Canepa points out, there's still a lot to do. Like finding owners and venues. The early list includes: Akron, Ohio, Portland, San Jose, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Austin, Texas, Memphis, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Birmingham, Ala., Omaha, Neb., and Baton Rouge, La.

"I see this as a league that opens doors," Cuadra said. "I see this as a need. I'd give it 75-percent odds that it will fly. I've had other businesses where I was told they weren't going to work. I've had some of that now; I've also had a lot of people tell me it's a good idea."
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gamblers2.gif


Wasn't it Jerry Argovitz who showed up wearing a big ol' mink coat way back when ... ?
 
And this time, instead of competing directly with the NFL, the plan is to have the USFL serve as a minor league for players hoping to graduate to the big time.
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an eight-team league set to begin play next spring in non-NFL cities.
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"We're going to play in the spring when fans are dying for football.
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Yeah, I've had this idea for quite a few years now.

Talking about it 2007 (post) when NFLE shut down and again in 2009 (post).

Don't know why it's taken them so long.
 
I think its a great idea. I would watch if they were players with NFL potential, that are likely to at least make a practice squad. If its gonna be a bunch of washed up scrubs, it wont have as much appeal to me.
 
Wonder if the deal included the rights to former team names, logos and uniform colors.

I could probably afford tickets to attend resurrected Gamblers games.

Texas Gamblers? Lamar U stadium. Logo would still work.

Talk about possible great tailgating. Gumbo, etouffee, crawfish boil, smoked boudain from Nicks gro. :chef:

Get er done..:hurrah:

How do I go about getting a trademark and MB rights to Texas Gamblers?:thinking:


:coffee:
 
cuppacoffee said:
Wonder if the deal included the rights to former team names, logos and uniform colors.

I could probably afford tickets to attend resurrected Gamblers games.

Texas Gamblers? Lamar U stadium. Logo would still work.

Talk about possible great tailgating. Gumbo, etouffee, crawfish boil, smoked boudain from Nicks gro. :chef:

Get er done..:hurrah:

How do I go about getting a trademark and MB rights to Texas Gamblers?:thinking:


:coffee:
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I would approve of all of the above.
 
I loved going to Gamblers games more than the Oiler games. Jim Kelly..Ricky Sanders...Gerald McNeil. My BIL had season tix. I wanna say they were like $10 a seat?
 
False Start said:
I think its a great idea. I would watch if they were players with NFL potential, that are likely to at least make a practice squad. If its gonna be a bunch of washed up scrubs, it wont have as much appeal to me.
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It's during the offseason when we need a fix, it's NFL style football, but it will mostly consist of players who can't even make the practice squad on NFL teams. However, there will (as always) be some diamonds in the rough that get found out about in this league. If Texas ends up with a team, I'll absolutely be watching. If Texas doesn't get a team, I'll still probably watch a few of the games just out of curiosity.
 
I was very excited when I first read about this. I was a HUGE Gambler fan, followed Jim Kelly throughout his career. If not in Houston, then Austin would do fine. I'd drive it in a heartbeat! GOOD old red and black!! Still have some pom-poms!:whoohoo:

Hope they make it happen!
 
...This is the vision of Jaime Cuadra, who has acquired the USFL brand and will serve as president and CEO of what he hopes will be an eight-team league set to begin play next spring in non-NFL cities....
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So, L.A. is gonna get a team?
:htown2atx:
 
Thorn said:
It's during the offseason when we need a fix, it's NFL style football, but it will mostly consist of players who can't even make the practice squad on NFL teams. However, there will (as always) be some diamonds in the rough that get found out about in this league. If Texas ends up with a team, I'll absolutely be watching. If Texas doesn't get a team, I'll still probably watch a few of the games just out of curiosity.
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You and the scouts.
 
If King Rodger keeps up his ruining of the game, I could see a new league becoming not only viable but thriving. As long as the new league keeps the old rules that made the game the most popular in this country.

Atleast I know it would appeal to the fans of old time hard hitting football. There arare significant numbers of fans like this across the country. People will say that it will never work because of all of the NFL's $$$$. Remember the old USFL almost over took the NFL before and now going back to the old rules will be the hook that the new USFL will use to overtake the NFL in 15/20 yrs.

Thanks Rodger
 
This is great, I never could get into that Arena Football. Traditional game without the gimmicks and treating it as a farm for NFL is brilliant.
 
Can someone please educate me on why Jim Kelly, Ricky Sanders, Herschel Walker, Leonard Harris (yeah Oiler fans know that one) all went to USFL first before going to NFL? Did they opt for the USFL or did they just not get drafted?
 
El Tejano said:
Can someone please educate me on why Jim Kelly, Ricky Sanders, Herschel Walker, Leonard Harris (yeah Oiler fans know that one) all went to USFL first before going to NFL? Did they opt for the USFL or did they just not get drafted?
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The USFL courted top college talent and paid very well. It's part of the reason they went broke. Some of the best players in the USFL were drafted by the NFL and some weren't. IIRC, the draft got kind of screwy back then, with extra supplemental drafts. Mike Rozier, for example, was drafted into the NFL right out of college, but I don't think it was a normal draft. At any rate, he was taken pretty early, but opted to play in the USFL.

I'd be happy if another pro league came along and challenged the NFL for players, but did not try to compete head to head in the fall. Regardless, if the upcoming USFL consists of rosters full of guys that would be the best college players that couldn't quite make the NFL, I think it will be a compelling product, as the playing field will be guys like Sammy Brown from UH playing against guys like Jared Zabransky from Boise, and surrounded by very similar talent.

The rules have to be largely the same as the NFL, though.
 
eriadoc said:
The USFL courted top college talent and paid very well. It's part of the reason they went broke. Some of the best players in the USFL were drafted by the NFL and some weren't. IIRC, the draft got kind of screwy back then, with extra supplemental drafts. Mike Rozier, for example, was drafted into the NFL right out of college, but I don't think it was a normal draft. At any rate, he was taken pretty early, but opted to play in the USFL.

I'd be happy if another pro league came along and challenged the NFL for players, but did not try to compete head to head in the fall. Regardless, if the upcoming USFL consists of rosters full of guys that would be the best college players that couldn't quite make the NFL, I think it will be a compelling product, as the playing field will be guys like Sammy Brown from UH playing against guys like Jared Zabransky from Boise, and surrounded by very similar talent.

The rules have to be largely the same as the NFL, though.
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The actually NFL actually incorporated some rules of the old USFL.:


The USFL's founders placed a high priority on the fans' perception of the quality of play. They intended to use major stadiums16 and to hire well-known coaches.17 The USFL would have slightly different rules than the NFL, many of which would later be adopted by the NFL, most notably: the two-point conversion (adopted by the NFL in 1994); the college rule of stopping the clock after first downs was used only for the final two minutes of each half; a method of challenging officials' rulings on the field via instant replay (using a system that is almost identical to that used by the NFL today); and a salary cap of $1.8 million to reduce inevitable losses and spread talent throughout the league (later abandoned by league owners)18. Most importantly, the USFL founders wanted the league to control costs. For its first season, therefore, the USFL established budget guidelines for player salaries of between $1.3 and $1.5 million per team.
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The Gamblers almost weren't. But there were some very notable players the USFL attracted. Some you will find surprising.


Despite solid league attendance, the USFL's second year was marked by change. Immediately following the 1983 season, Simmons was replaced by Harry Usher – who had been instrumental in the success of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics – as commissioner. Expansion, new owners and new players highlighted the USFL's second season. The league, over the objection of some owners, expanded from twelve teams to eighteen. Joining the league were the Houston Gamblers, Memphis Showboats, Pittsburgh Maulers, San Antonio Gunslingers, Oklahoma Outlaws and the Jacksonville Bulls. Owners of four teams moved their teams to new cities, while five of the original owners left the league entirely.


Throughout the second half of 1983 and early 1984, several USFL owners escalated spending on player salaries. The league continued to attract new talent, as Mike Rozier, college football's top player, was just one of many quality players to sign with the league in its second season. The league also inked Jim Kelly, Reggie White, Steve Young and a host of college football's best along with former NFL starters.

Trump, in particular, signed a number of players who were still under contract with the NFL to future contracts, including superstar Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants. The USFL's spending on players greatly outpaced its revenues. The owner of the Los Angeles team, for example, committed the team to $13.1 million in salaries and bonuses for just one season. He even entered into a multiyear, $40 million contract with just one player, Steve Young of Brigham Young University. By the end of the 1984 season, high player salaries had busted USFL franchises in two of the top three television markets, Chicago and Los Angeles. At the same time, only four of the original owners remained in the league.
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HERE IS A GREAT HISTORY OF FOOTBALL LEAGUES THAT WENT INTO COMPETITION WITH THE NFL............CONCENTRATING ON THE BEST ATTEMPT BY THE OLD USFL. USFL VS NFLDEFINITELY WORTH READING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CHALLENGES WERE AND WHY THE FAILURE OCCURED
 
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el tejano said:
can someone please educate me on why jim kelly, ricky sanders, herschel walker, leonard harris (yeah oiler fans know that one) all went to usfl first before going to nfl? Did they opt for the usfl or did they just not get drafted?
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mucho dinero!
 
I think this is a great idea, and very smart to build the new league as a non-competing farm system for the NFL. I think this will eventually cause the NFL to take the USFL under it's wing and form affiliations with NFL teams. I can see practice squad guys and even 4th stringers getting some reps in the spring down the road.

I will root for whichever Texas city gets a team. Sure beats baseball. :howdy:
 
Double Barrel said:
I think this is a great idea, and very smart to build the new league as a non-competing farm system for the NFL. I think this will eventually cause the NFL to take the USFL under it's wing and form affiliations with NFL teams. I can see practice squad guys and even 4th stringers getting some reps in the spring down the road.

I will root for whichever Texas city gets a team. Sure beats baseball. :howdy:
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Roger that.
 
Double Barrel said:
I think this is a great idea, and very smart to build the new league as a non-competing farm system for the NFL. I think this will eventually cause the NFL to take the USFL under it's wing and form affiliations with NFL teams. I can see practice squad guys and even 4th stringers getting some reps in the spring down the road.

I will root for whichever Texas city gets a team. Sure beats baseball. :howdy:
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Agreed. And I think it'd be a whole lot more successful if players were actually affiliated with certain teams. Would be nice to see some of the practice squad and udfa's competing in a league right now.

I'd like to see San Antonio get the team personally.
 
Yeah, I'd like to see some of the guys go from the USFL to NFL training camps. It would be a great way for some of the guys on the margins to get some experience and make a name for themselves, like Kurt Warner and Jake Delhomme did over in Europe.
 
Thorn said:
I approve! Semi-pro NFL style football in the offseason. An excellent idea.
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I never understood why every non-nfl pro league played in the fall. NEVER understood it.

I'll go see a lesser brand of football, but sure as heck not int he fall.
 
Yankee_In_TX said:
I never understood why every non-nfl pro league played in the fall. NEVER understood it.

I'll go see a lesser brand of football, but sure as heck not int he fall.
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The old USFL was played in the spring. They had plans to go head to head with the NFL in '86, but '83, '84 and 85 seasons were played in the spring. The 1986 season never happened. IIRC.
 
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