Gregg Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 This is probably the best way for the USFL to survive long-term. Unless it's the NFL or CFB these leagues always seem to fail. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 (edited) It will never survive long term. College football is the true farm clubs for the NFL. Nobody is going to pay to go see a bunch of practice squad players. The USFL part 2 won’t be around much longer. History tells us that. Even the old WFL and USFL, with star players, couldn’t survive. Edited July 13, 2023 by Beast 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 12 minutes ago, Beast said: It will never survive long term. College football is the true farm clubs for the NFL. Nobody is going to pay to go see a bunch of practice squad players. The USFL part 2 won’t be around much longer. History tells us that. Even the old WFL and USFL, with star players, couldn’t survive. If you're going to quote history, be sure you are talking about the same thing. Because the USFL and XFL of today bears no relation to the past leagues that failed. First of all, both leagues are partnered with TV networks. XFL with ESPN/ABC and USFL with Fox and NBC. And if the NFL is willing to enter into a player development deal, that's only going to make these leagues even stronger. And before you say "college football is a farm club" you can't send players back to college for more development. You can do it with the XFL and USFL. 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 33 minutes ago, Gregg said: This is probably the best way for the USFL to survive long-term. Unless it's the NFL or CFB these leagues always seem to fail. This reeks of a stateside version of NFL Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 25 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: If you're going to quote history, be sure you are talking about the same thing. Because the USFL and XFL of today bears no relation to the past leagues that failed. First of all, both leagues are partnered with TV networks. XFL with ESPN/ABC and USFL with Fox and NBC. And if the NFL is willing to enter into a player development deal, that's only going to make these leagues even stronger. And before you say "college football is a farm club" you can't send players back to college for more development. You can do it with the XFL and USFL. Are you saying the USFL in the 1980’s wasn’t partnered with television? You better go back and check your references because IT WAS. I don’t care if the NFL partners with this league. It also did with the WLAF. So, if you want to get snarky you better know your own history before doing so. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoTom Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 The original USFL competed with the NFL for players and later tried to go head-to-head by moving its season to the fall. By cooperating instead of competing this time, they might stand a chance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Not competing directly with the NFL (either for players or viewers) and instead being in alliance with it actually gives it a fighting chance. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said: If you're going to quote history, be sure you are talking about the same thing. Because the USFL and XFL of today bears no relation to the past leagues that failed. First of all, both leagues are partnered with TV networks. XFL with ESPN/ABC and USFL with Fox and NBC. And if the NFL is willing to enter into a player development deal, that's only going to make these leagues even stronger. And before you say "college football is a farm club" you can't send players back to college for more development. You can do it with the XFL and USFL. Maybe NFL should do some donations to colleges and make a deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlgarsh Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 2 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said: This reeks of a stateside version of NFL Europe. Fred Jackson turned out pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 15 minutes ago, jlgarsh said: Fred Jackson turned out pretty well. Cool. But it was really bad football played by subpar players for teams no one really cared about that quickly closed shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSE Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 This could add 20 new USFL fans next year 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 1 hour ago, BuffaloBillyG said: Cool. But it was really bad football played by subpar players for teams no one really cared about that quickly closed shop. Germans and US residents did but I guess they are nobodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 3 hours ago, Beast said: Are you saying the USFL in the 1980’s wasn’t partnered with television? You better go back and check your references because IT WAS. I don’t care if the NFL partners with this league. It also did with the WLAF. So, if you want to get snarky you better know your own history before doing so. I thought the WLAF was owned by the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 Pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 (edited) 4 hours ago, Beast said: Are you saying the USFL in the 1980’s wasn’t partnered with television? You better go back and check your references because IT WAS. I don’t care if the NFL partners with this league. It also did with the WLAF. So, if you want to get snarky you better know your own history before doing so. Yes. The USFL of the 80's, and the WLAF, the UFL, and so on had TV deals. The XFL and USFL have TV networks as investors! So yeah, it's a lot different. 2 hours ago, Limeaid said: Maybe NFL should do some donations to colleges and make a deal. To do what? Take pro players back as amateur athletes? Are you seriously suggesting that? Edited July 14, 2023 by PromoTheRobot 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 11 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said: To do what? Take pro players back as amateur athletes? Are you seriously suggesting that? For players who do not make roster I cannot see why not but I do not watch college football. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansLanda Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 It is not going to work. It has been tried. We all know the average NFL tenure is ~ 3 years. If you play in some "feeder" league for a few years just to get a camp tryout, it's not really scaleable. There will be 1 in a 100 that may make a team after playing in that type of league. They just know Merica is so football-rabid so anything is worth trying - I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 1 hour ago, Limeaid said: Germans and US residents did but I guess they are nobodies. US residents? Living in Europe or stateside. I can tell you this much. When NFLE was started there was some excitement. However, the football was trash compared to the skill of the NFL product and the excitement died very very quickly. They bled cash because not enough people cared about watching a league of second and third stringers. And yes, while some great players did end up coming from NFLE (Vinateri, Kurt Warner, even coaches like Sean Payton) the majority of the roster could not compete with the NFL product and people flat out didn't watch. Not every day you see something with a corporation like the NFL machine behind it fail after....what was it 2 seasons? Guess those Germans really didn't matter in the long run, then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 43 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said: US residents? Living in Europe or stateside. I can tell you this much. When NFLE was started there was some excitement. However, the football was trash compared to the skill of the NFL product and the excitement died very very quickly. They bled cash because not enough people cared about watching a league of second and third stringers. And yes, while some great players did end up coming from NFLE (Vinateri, Kurt Warner, even coaches like Sean Payton) the majority of the roster could not compete with the NFL product and people flat out didn't watch. Not every day you see something with a corporation like the NFL machine behind it fail after....what was it 2 seasons? Guess those Germans really didn't matter in the long run, then. I know it was very popular with biliary stationed overseas and their families. I was supporting troops there with LOCE (Linked Operational Center Europe) and I got a number of pictures from soldiers there and one sent me a Frankfurt Galaxy jersey for help I did communicating to his family in the US. It was many more seasons than 2. Frankfurt Galaxy had 4 championships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 9 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said: Yes. The USFL of the 80's, and the WLAF, the UFL, and so on had TV deals. The XFL and USFL have TV networks as investors! So yeah, it's a lot different. LOL…OK. If you think that the investors won’t walk away from a failed product instead of keep dumping money into you’re nuts. Between the NFL and major college football the viewers are satisfied. People aren’t clamoring to watch a bunch of 4th quarter pre-season type football in the spring and summer. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 14 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said: If you're going to quote history, be sure you are talking about the same thing. Because the USFL and XFL of today bears no relation to the past leagues that failed. First of all, both leagues are partnered with TV networks. XFL with ESPN/ABC and USFL with Fox and NBC. And if the NFL is willing to enter into a player development deal, that's only going to make these leagues even stronger. And before you say "college football is a farm club" you can't send players back to college for more development. You can do it with the XFL and USFL. And yet their ratings are historically low for televised professional football. The original USFL's rating dwarfed those of the current. This year, it was beaten by the XFL reboot, despite the latter's less favorable broadcast exposure. If you are going to quote history, the original USFL started with 13 million from ABC and 4 million form ESPN in 1982. By 1984, ABC offered 175 million/4 years to play in the spring and ESPN 70 million/3 years. We all know hat happened next. It doesn't matter how many scrubs and PS players they shuttle back and forth from the NFL, no one is watching these games. This is why they all die off. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted July 14, 2023 Share Posted July 14, 2023 (edited) 12 hours ago, Limeaid said: For players who do not make roster I cannot see why not but I do not watch college football. College football is, supposed to be anyway, an amateur sport. You usually only get 4 years of eligibility. Also these programs are in it to win, not serve the needs of NFL teams. They aren't going to play some #4 QB from your practice squad if they don't want to. 3 hours ago, Beast said: LOL…OK. If you think that the investors won’t walk away from a failed product instead of keep dumping money into you’re nuts. Between the NFL and major college football the viewers are satisfied. People aren’t clamoring to watch a bunch of 4th quarter pre-season type football in the spring and summer. Except that XFL/USFL isn't 4th quarter preseason football. They are teams with rosters and game plans looking to win games. In fact there's more talent on any of these spring teams than most college teams. As for the networks, they made the investment because they want programming. Spring football ratings were middle of the pack, depending on what channel and time of day, comparable to the most NHL, NBA golf or soccer matches. Edited July 14, 2023 by PromoTheRobot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigAl2526 Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 I think the USFL is going to maintain a limited salary structure for players. That will keep its expenses at a manageable level. I don't think the USFL will be a major channel for talent, but I think there are always a few players who might not be ready for the NFL coming out of college, but have enough talent and simply need a little more time to develop. There is a niche that the USFL can fill, and there are probably enough football hungry fans around to support a presence on TV. Bottom line: I think it's here to stay in the near future. After 15 or 20 years, who knows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 I didn't realize the XFL was already partnered with the NFL. The USFL will have to merge with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 On 7/14/2023 at 11:16 AM, PromoTheRobot said: College football is, supposed to be anyway, an amateur sport. You usually only get 4 years of eligibility. Also these programs are in it to win, not serve the needs of NFL teams. They aren't going to play some #4 QB from your practice squad if they don't want to. Except that XFL/USFL isn't 4th quarter preseason football. They are teams with rosters and game plans looking to win games. In fact there's more talent on any of these spring teams than most college teams. As for the networks, they made the investment because they want programming. Spring football ratings were middle of the pack, depending on what channel and time of day, comparable to the most NHL, NBA golf or soccer matches. Not NFL talent. There is no NFL talent on those rosters, hence these leagues exist. Conversely, the SEC alone has 369 players on rosters as of 2022. If Fox wants content that people will watch (and advertisers would pay good money for), they would run reruns of Idol and Everyone Loves Raymond.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 Once they figure out that it’s better for many legitimate NFL prospects to skip college altogether, then a development league would result in a lot better football … for the development league AND for the NFL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoBills808 Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 4 minutes ago, Gugny said: Once they figure out that it’s better for many legitimate NFL prospects to skip college altogether, then a development league would result in a lot better football … for the development league AND for the NFL. And as an added benefit the postgame interviews will get even more unintelligible and thus more hilarious 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeGOATski Posted July 16, 2023 Share Posted July 16, 2023 People tend to focus on what the fans want, but this is about the players. The college system is exploitative and the players would rather have a farm system like the MLB and NBA have. If one of these leagues can set that up with the NFL, it could establish a foothold in the market and poach/produce some really good talent, especially if the NFL infuses some money into it. 1 hour ago, Gugny said: Once they figure out that it’s better for many legitimate NFL prospects to skip college altogether, then a development league would result in a lot better football … for the development league AND for the NFL. Definitely And the NFL surely wants a piece of the NCAA's pie if there is a viable way to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 On 7/13/2023 at 5:16 PM, BuffaloBillyG said: This reeks of a stateside version of NFL Europe. And what exactly is wrong with that? You know who came out of NFL Europe? Fred Jackson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted July 19, 2023 Share Posted July 19, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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