OT: United Football League

[hornetfb85]

What is everyone’s thoughts on the UFL. I live in the St. Louis area and have been to a few BattleHawk games and really enjoy the atmosphere. I know it doesn’t have the same attendance support in other cities.

My opinion has always been to get more eyes on the UFL they need to “team up” with the NFL and make it a developmental league. If the Patriots had 8-10 fringe roster/UDFA players they could have rights to on a particular UFL team I think more fans would be interested.

I could be very wrong though.

 

[Pape]

Tbh, Zero interest.

Won't watch, even in passing.

 

[jmt57]

What is everyone’s thoughts on the UFL. I live in the St. Louis area and have been to a few BattleHawk games and really enjoy the atmosphere. I know it doesn’t have the same attendance support in other cities.

My opinion has always been to get more eyes on the UFL they need to “team up” with the NFL and make it a developmental league. If the Patriots had 8-10 fringe roster/UDFA players they could have rights to on a particular UFL team I think more fans would be interested.

I could be very wrong though.

A) Yes, I do believe that a developmental league would be good for the NFL, resulting in better players.

B) I don't believe it will ever happen, for the same reason that the owners won't expand the number of players that dress for a game, or let practice squad players dress as well: $$$.

From a financial perspective there is no incentive for the owners to underwite a developmental league; they already have a free one, called college football. Similarly the NFLPA is not going to want their portion of the revenue sharing pie being split into even smaller slices.

 

[Pape]

From a financial perspective there is no incentive for the owners to underwrite a developmental league; they already have a free one, called college football. Similarly the NFLPA is not going to want their portion of the revenue sharing pie being split into even smaller slices.

think the NIL monies now flowing freely thru the major college programs will upset that particular apple cart?

 

[jmt57]

think the NIL monies now flowing freely thru the major college programs will upset that particular apple cart?

Good question. Great question. I really don't know how that is going to turn out.

But at the end of the day there is a rookie wage scale in place, and the only alternatives are the CFL or UFL - neither of which will pay as much.

It would not surprise me if somebody earned enough from NILs in college to sit out for a year after being drafted by a team he didn't like, so he can become a free agent to the highest bidder. That in turn could lead to somebody going to court, arguing against the legitimacy of the NFL draft.

EDIT: as @Patsgofor4 pointed out, the player does not become a free agent in the scenario above - he simply re-enters the draft the following year.

 

[mgteich]

Good question. Great question. I really don't know how that is going to turn out.

But at the end of the day there is a rookie wage scale in place, and the only alternatives are the CFL or UFL - neither of which will pay as much.

It would not surprise me if somebody earned enough from NILs in college to sit out for a year after being drafted by a team he didn't like, so he can become a free agent to the highest bidder. That in turn could lead to somebody going to court, arguing against the legitimacy of the NFL draft.

Anyone can go to court. Drafts in sports are not going to be overturned. Besides, isn't the draft part of the Agreement with the players?

 

[mgteich]

Good question. Great question. I really don't know how that is going to turn out.

But at the end of the day there is a rookie wage scale in place, and the only alternatives are the CFL or UFL - neither of which will pay as much.

It would not surprise me if somebody earned enough from NILs in college to sit out for a year after being drafted by a team he didn't like, so he can become a free agent to the highest bidder. That in turn could lead to somebody going to court, arguing against the legitimacy of the NFL draft.

The NFL has had a European feeder league in the past and is likely to have one again in the future. There could even be a more international league including a Mexican and a couple of South American teams.

IMO, there is no need for a developmental league in addition to college football. College football gives the league over 700 developmental teams with many thousands of players. The league continues to expand the Practice Squads which provide more and more developmental jobs. The NFL has added an annual total of 308 jobs in the various expansion of the Practice Squad. That is the equivalent of an 8-team league with 38 players on each team. We also allow 32 European players to not count against the 53-man roster. That number is likely to increase and include all countries if it doesn't already.

 

[jmt57]

Anyone can go to court. Drafts in sports are not going to be overturned. Besides, isn't the draft part of the Agreement with the players?

True - but a player who has never signed a contract is not part of the NFLPA.

I'm not suggesting that it would be a worthwhile, meritorious case. I'm just saying that it would not surprise me in the least if it does happen - and the likelihood increases when a draftee is already financially secure.

 

[Patsgofor4]

Good question. Great question. I really don't know how that is going to turn out.

But at the end of the day there is a rookie wage scale in place, and the only alternatives are the CFL or UFL - neither of which will pay as much.

It would not surprise me if somebody earned enough from NILs in college to sit out for a year after being drafted by a team he didn't like, so he can become a free agent to the highest bidder. That in turn could lead to somebody going to court, arguing against the legitimacy of the NFL draft.

It would be very surprising to me because that’s not how the system works. Your scenario isn’t impossible under the current CBA.

If a player decides to not sign with the team that drafted him and sits out a full year, he does not become a free agent. He would simply become draft-eligible again the following year and could be drafted by any team, except the team that drafted him the prior year.

 

[mgteich]

The Practice Squad IS the developmental league for the NFL. If we think that say 6 players on each squad are veterans, then the Practice Squad provides developmental opportunities for 320 players each year, or an 8-team league of 40 players per team.

So, the NFL develops its players while at the same time having them practice with NFL players and be coached by NFL coaches. If there really is a need for even MORE developmental positions, then the Practice Squad could be expanded.

 

[jmt57]

It would be very surprising to me because that’s not how the system works. Your scenario isn’t impossible under the current CBA.

If a player decides to not sign with the team that drafted him and sits out a full year, he does not become a free agent. He would simply become draft-eligible again the following year and could be drafted by any team, except the team that drafted him the prior year.

You're right. I was thinking Bo Jackson was a free agent after he refused to sign with Tampa Bay, but the the Raiders drafted him late the following year.

 

[Pape]

Good question. Great question. I really don't know how that is going to turn out.

But at the end of the day there is a rookie wage scale in place, and the only alternatives are the CFL or UFL - neither of which will pay as much.

It would not surprise me if somebody earned enough from NILs in college to sit out for a year after being drafted by a team he didn't like, so he can become a free agent to the highest bidder. That in turn could lead to somebody going to court, arguing against the legitimacy of the NFL draft.

EDIT: as @Patsgofor4 pointed out, the player does not become a free agent in the scenario above - he simply re-enters the draft the following year.

Its an interesting scenario... But on a wholesale level the draft will continue much as it is... You might get one or two players who make enough with the NIL where they say I'm done with football... A few might try to call there own shot... But considering the cost of moving to the first or second position in the draft, I think most NFL teams will balk... Not all, but most...

The mechanics might get more complicated if the NFL tinkers with the QB position in regards to the cap, tying it to a percentage... That will open up an avenue for the next Caleb Williams to push for more, above and beyond the rookie wage scale, or draft slot if you prefer...

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

I think I watched a game a few weeks ago and saw that they actually let you hear what the QB hears if I’m not mistaken which is very cool.

 

[scott99]

I watched a few games, including the championship game. I felt the USFL teams (league) was a notch above the XFL teams, so I thought it was pretty clever for when they merged to create the UFL, they had a USFL conference and an XFL conference. And the first UFL game ever was the champs from each league facing off.

I’m old, so I remember the original USFL, and there will NEVER be a spring league as good as the original USFL. That league actually signed guys the NFL wanted and had drafted (USFL also drafted them). When the league collapsed, a large amount of players went to the NFL, including players who wound up in the NFL Hall of Fame. I was so sad when they ended the original USFL.

 

[Actual Pats Fan]

From a financial perspective there is no incentive for the owners to underwite a developmental league

Right, they see zero profit in a much better product and much better support for the players, coaches and officials.

First thing Goodell did when he took over was to fold NFL Europe, even before he sat on us.

 

[Triumph]

I watched a few games, including the championship game. I felt the USFL teams (league) was a notch above the XFL teams, so I thought it was pretty clever for when they merged to create the UFL, they had a USFL conference and an XFL conference. And the first UFL game ever was the champs from each league facing off.

I’m old, so I remember the original USFL, and there will NEVER be a spring league as good as the original USFL. That league actually signed guys the NFL wanted and had drafted (USFL also drafted them). When the league collapsed, a large amount of players went to the NFL, including players who wound up in the NFL Hall of Fame. I was so sad when they ended the original USFL.

Jim Kelly who I met at SB38 in Jacksonville.

Dude was huge like a LB.