Official 2022 USFL Thread

[Skipscards]

As I am certain this will be the first of many annual USFL threads I think it’s important to note the draft starts in 3 Days, 18 Hours, 6 Minutes, and 45 Seconds.

USFL Official Website (https://theusfl.com)

I’ve decided to return to my childhood and root for the Tampa Bay Bandits again (at least until the Bulls make a glorious inevitable return).

#2 pick baby! Though looking at our current roster, we should probably consider trading down for more picks.

1VxgkuU9ynU

[Giroux]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220219/9c805a85516d07103e4bc8993d3b8b57.jpg

[altaeria]

I wonder if Topps is going to issue cards for them.

Their 2019 Alliance of American Football boxes
and their 2020 XFL boxes seemed to sell well enough, so I suppose these will also.

[SethMurphy]

have there been any notable NFL flameouts that have been announced as playing in this? I saw a few players posting that they signed their contracts on twitter, but they were people I had never heard of, never played in the NFL

[oplum29]

i hope the USFL works out. i was a big fan of the AAFL

[Skipscards]

have there been any notable NFL flameouts that have been announced as playing in this? I saw a few players posting that they signed their contracts on twitter, but they were people I had never heard of, never played in the NFL

They’ve been very tightlipped about it. So far, from what I’ve seen, they are drafting from a pool pf 450 players that have already signed up. They will draft by position (1st round will be QBs, rounds 2 & 3 will be edge rushers, etc). I can’t remember where I saw it, but they have said each team will have one or two players we will recognize.

[Skipscards]

Oh, and 3 Days, 5 Hours, 19 Minutes, and 30 Seconds until the draft!

[glen87]

jeff fisher now has the chance to become one of the worst coaches in another league :coffee:

[glen87]

Oh, and 3 Days, 5 Hours, 19 Minutes, and 30 Seconds until the draft!

do not like the draft format at all. no real strategy seems to be involved :rolleyes:

[TheFrenzy]

No West Coast options, huh?

I guess I'll root for the Houston Gamblers until Dallas or Phoenix get a team?

[Skipscards]

jeff fisher now has the chance to become one of the worst coaches in another league :coffee:

Yeah, can’t stand him. I’ve decided the Panthers will be our hated rival.

[Skipscards]

No West Coast options, huh?

I guess I'll root for the Houston Gamblers until Dallas or Phoenix get a team?

I like it. Houston needs fans too.

[Skipscards]

Less than 24 Hours! Just feel the excitement!

[TimBuckTwo]

Wait didn't we do this already in the mid-80s?

SnNNNNNOOOOOOOZZZEEEEEEEEE

[glen87]

Less than 24 Hours! Just feel the excitement!

for the draft?

no excitement in that format.

[Skipscards]

for the draft?

no excitement in that format.

Yeah. For the draft. Look out! Just 23 Hours, 55 Minutes, and 8 Seconds to go!

[glen87]

Yeah. For the draft. Look out! Just 23 Hours, 55 Minutes, and 8 Seconds to go!

there will not be any real strategy though. absolutely hate the fact they are drafting by position each round.

just for example - if you have 4 QBs that you really like, but have the 7th pick in round one, and all 4 are gone by then, you cannot pick your top choice player from another position :doh::doh::doh:

even BOO could have come up with a better plan.

[glen87]

can't wait to see who TB takes with the 8th pick in round 5....oh wait it will be the 8th best offensive tackle in the draft :rolleyes:

[altaeria]

I predict that QB Luis Perez will be involved. Again.

[Skipscards]

can't wait to see who TB takes with the 8th pick in round 5....oh wait it will be the 8th best offensive tackle in the draft :rolleyes:

TB? Uh, the New Orleans Breakers have the 8th pick in Round 5. TB has the #2 pick and will get the 2nd best tackle to protect our amazing franchise QB! Get with it. :coffee:

[glen87]

TB? Uh, the New Orleans Breakers have the 8th pick in Round 5. TB has the #2 pick and will get the 2nd best tackle to protect our amazing franchise QB! Get with it. :coffee:

https://xflnewshub.com/usfl/pr-usfl-unveils-unique-format-for-inaugural-player-draft/

this may be wrong - i have not been able to find the source they used for this.

Round 5 (Overall)
OFFENSIVE TACKLE
(Round 1, OT)

7. Pittsburgh
6. Birmingham
5. Houston
8. New Orleans
1. Michigan
4. New Jersey
3. Philadelphia
2. Tampa Bay

[indyguy]

No list of available players either...why the secrecy?

[Boo]

No list of available players either...why the secrecy?

Any and all JMU players are available.:coffee:

[Grid]

do not like the draft format at all. no real strategy seems to be involved :rolleyes:

Its just for this year Id imagine. None of these teams have any players. This will allow all teams to build a roster that is as fair as they can.

This isn't the NFL, were you add players to your roster via the draft. And the league itself has one owner, so throw out any notion of someone building a better team via free agency and over spending.

[PrimeTimeScott]

No list of available players either...why the secrecy?

They asked Panini to be in charge of the checklist of available players. It will come out the day after the draft!

[smanzari]

I predict that QB Luis Perez will be involved. Again.

I'm actually surprised he didn't sign with an NFL team - he was pretty great in the AAFL

[Grid]

The XFL site had a list of the top 100 projected players in the pool.

I don't know any of these guys

https://xflnewsroom.com/usfl-2022-draft-tracker/

I did watch some UFL games back in the day. But only because they had a ton of former NFL talent coaching and playing for them.

Coaches: Dennis Green, Jay Gruden, Jerry Glanville, Him Fassel ETC

Players: Daunte Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, Mike Doss, Larry Tripplett, Adam Archuleta, Ken Dorsey, Brooks Bollinger, Tim Rattay, J.P. Losman, Ahman Green, Josh McCown, Willie Parker ETC

If they are going with a list of nobodies or cast offs from the failed XFL, I have next to no interest.

[jplarson]

CJ Marable was an UDFA RB for the Bears. Had some 2021 Score cards. I don't recognize the rest.

[Grid]

CJ Marable was an UDFA RB for the Bears. Had some 2021 Score cards. I don't recognize the rest.

Seems about par for the course. He wasn't even drafted, and it looks like he never made it out of training camp, before getting waived.

[gmarutiak]

The fact that every team is playing every game in Birmingham, Alabama makes a very unexciting league even more unexciting.

[altaeria]

I don't recognize 95% of big-time college players' names either.

[Skipscards]

2 hours, 54 minutes, and 40 seconds to go!

[Skipscards]

Also, draft will apparently be broadcast on youtube:

1VxgkuU9ynU

[Skipscards]

The XFL site had a list of the top 100 projected players in the pool.

I don't know any of these guys

https://xflnewsroom.com/usfl-2022-draft-tracker/

I did watch some UFL games back in the day. But only because they had a ton of former NFL talent coaching and playing for them.

Coaches: Dennis Green, Jay Gruden, Jerry Glanville, Him Fassel ETC

Players: Daunte Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, Mike Doss, Larry Tripplett, Adam Archuleta, Ken Dorsey, Brooks Bollinger, Tim Rattay, J.P. Losman, Ahman Green, Josh McCown, Willie Parker ETC

If they are going with a list of nobodies or cast offs from the failed XFL, I have next to no interest.

The list could be legit but it's just speculative. They have suggested each team will have one or two players we've all heard of. To me, it's football so I'll give it a chance. I mean, with the baseball lockout, what else am I going to do? :D

[jplarson]

Also, draft will apparently be broadcast on youtube


https://cdn.quotesgram.com/img/82/56/1601055049-JIe5z.jpg

[Skipscards]

Less than 10 minutes!!

[Siberian13]

Less than 10 minutes!!

Thought it started at 7pm?

[Skipscards]

Shea Patterson #1 to the Panthers.

[Skipscards]

And we got Jordan Ta’amu. Less go!

[jusdukky]

Paxton Lynch is Mr. Irrelevant for the first USFL draft. My how the once relevant have fallen. But I guess it's a chance for him to play football again.:)!

[Siberian13]

Will there be fantasy football and daily fantasy available for this?

[glen87]

can't wait to see who TB takes with the 8th pick in round 5....oh wait it will be the 8th best offensive tackle in the draft :rolleyes:

TB? Uh, the New Orleans Breakers have the 8th pick in Round 5. TB has the #2 pick and will get the 2nd best tackle to protect our amazing franchise QB! Get with it. :coffee:

ROUND 5 (OFFENSIVE TACKLE)

1. Pittsburgh Maulers: Chidi Okeke, Tennessee State
2. Birmingham Stallions: Darius Harper, Cincinnati
3. Houston Gamblers: Brandon Hitner, Villanova
4. New Orleans Breakers: Paul Adams, Missouri
5. Michigan Panthers: Keith Williams, Colorado State
6. New Jersey Generals: Garrett McGhin, East Carolina
7. Philadelphia Stars: Blake Alan Camper, South Carolina
8. Tampa Bay Bandits: Tyler Catalina, Georgia

Catalina protecting Ta'amu. that is must see football :rolleyes:

[Skipscards]

Paxton Lynch is Mr. Irrelevant for the first USFL draft. My how the once relevant have fallen. But I guess it's a chance for him to play football again.:)!

I know right?! The CFL had just released him. Also, technically Mr. Irrelevant will happen today. :)!

[Skipscards]

ROUND 5 (OFFENSIVE TACKLE)

1. Pittsburgh Maulers: Chidi Okeke, Tennessee State
2. Birmingham Stallions: Darius Harper, Cincinnati
3. Houston Gamblers: Brandon Hitner, Villanova
4. New Orleans Breakers: Paul Adams, Missouri
5. Michigan Panthers: Keith Williams, Colorado State
6. New Jersey Generals: Garrett McGhin, East Carolina
7. Philadelphia Stars: Blake Alan Camper, South Carolina
8. Tampa Bay Bandits: Tyler Catalina, Georgia

Catalina protecting Ta'amu. that is must see football :rolleyes:

Yeah, I don't know why they did that. They had said it was a snake draft. But I guess the must have randomized others spots. At least we got Ta'amu's former Center, Bruno Reagan. :D

[Skipscards]

If Jordan Ta'amu has a million fans I am one of them. If Ta’amu has ten fans I am one of them. If Ta’amu has only one fan it is me. If Ta’amu has no fans, that means I am dead. If the world against Jordan Ta’amu, I am against the world.

[Soxrule111]

Was excited to watch this and follow whichever team took Chase Litton.
Then no one did lol.

[altaeria]

There is no way both the USFL and the XFL can co-exist and be taken seriously. It'll be difficult enough for one spring league to muster up enough attention to be considered relevant at all. I wonder if the recent XFL/NFL announcement hurts the credibility of the USFL in casual fans' minds. Or will it just be the same tiny niche audience folliwing both leagues until one disappears- or better yet- merges with the other (!)

[glen87]

Yeah, I don't know why they did that. They had said it was a snake draft. But I guess the must have randomized others spots. At least we got Ta'amu's former Center, Bruno Reagan. :D

modified with each round being different picks. every team got so many #1 picks.

[Skipscards]

The Bandits are Invincible…we got Vinny Papale!

[jplarson]

If Jordan Ta'amu has a million fans I am one of them. If Ta’amu has ten fans I am one of them. If Ta’amu has only one fan it is me. If Ta’amu has no fans, that means I am dead. If the world against Jordan Ta’amu, I am against the world.

This is good BO content.

[49ersSF]

waiting for the return of the Invaders.

[altaeria]

The Bandits are Invincible…we got Vinny Papale!

The Philadelphia Stars must not have any actual Marketing Dept. (besides maybe some interns who posts on twitter). How the heck could they not draft Papale??? That would've been an obvious promotional angle for the Philly market.

[Grid]

If Jordan Ta'amu has a million fans I am one of them. If Ta’amu has ten fans I am one of them. If Ta’amu has only one fan it is me. If Ta’amu has no fans, that means I am dead. If the world against Jordan Ta’amu, I am against the world.

This is one busy guy!

New Mexico Military Institute (2015–2016)
Ole Miss (2017–2018)
Houston Texans (2019)*
St. Louis BattleHawks (2020)
Kansas City Chiefs (2020)*
Detroit Lions (2020)*
Kansas City Chiefs (2021)*
Detroit Lions (2021)*
Washington Football Team (2021)*
Carolina Panthers (2021)*
Tampa Bay Bandits (2022–present)

[Skipscards]

The Philadelphia Stars must not have any actual Marketing Dept. (besides maybe some interns who posts on twitter). How the heck could they not draft Papale??? That would've been an obvious promotional angle for the Philly market.

I know, right?!

[Skipscards]

This is one busy guy!

New Mexico Military Institute (2015–2016)
Ole Miss (2017–2018)
Houston Texans (2019)*
St. Louis BattleHawks (2020)
Kansas City Chiefs (2020)*
Detroit Lions (2020)*
Kansas City Chiefs (2021)*
Detroit Lions (2021)*
Washington Football Team (2021)*
Carolina Panthers (2021)*
Tampa Bay Bandits (2022–present)

Definitely. In such high demand and now he’s ours! :)!

[Fenway55]

The original USFL is suing the new USFL for trademark infringement. The new USFL claims the original USFL had abandoned the names and trademarks* but this will be a very expensive mistake if they hadn't. I don't know who specifically is suing, but this article claims "the owners and executives of the original USFL." As we all know, one of those owners was.... well, you know.....

*In order to maintain a trademark, it has to be used within a certain timeframe or it is considered abandoned, and anyone can claim it. I don't remember offhand what that timeframe is, but it seems to me that it has been about 30 years since we saw anything USFL related in production....

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/28/original-usfl-sues-fox-over-usfl-reboot/

[altaeria]

The original USFL is suing the new USFL for trademark infringement. The new USFL claims the original USFL had abandoned the names and trademarks* but this will be a very expensive mistake if they hadn't. I don't know who specifically is suing, but this article claims "the owners and executives of the original USFL." As we all know, one of those owners was.... well, you know.....

*In order to maintain a trademark, it has to be used within a certain timeframe or it is considered abandoned, and anyone can claim it. I don't remember offhand what that timeframe is, but it seems to me that it has been about 30 years since we saw anything USFL related in production....

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/28/original-usfl-sues-fox-over-usfl-reboot/


Remember when some guy sued the Alliance in 2019 because he said they stole his ideas? For his sake, I hope he never settled for a percentage of their profits.

Lastly-- I'd have to assume that somebody involved did a trademark search for all the USFL stuff. So who exactly is now claiming to own those old trademarks?? Is it just one person??

[Fenway55]

Remember when some guy sued the Alliance in 2019 because he said they stole his ideas? For his sake, I hope he never settled for a percentage of their profits. ha ha I didn't know about that.....

Lastly-- I'd have to assume that somebody involved did a trademark search for all the USFL stuff.Yeah, I thought the same thing too....
So who exactly is now claiming to own those old trademarks?? Is it just one person??
I haven't seen the filing, but Florio's article says "The owners and executives of the original USFL have sued..."

"Owners" is kinda vague because it makes me wonder if all USFL owners are involved, or just the ones who have new teams using their names (not to mention that, given the USFL was founded almost 40 years ago, I have to assume some of them may no longer be with us). The only owner I can think of (besides that one guy) is/was Burt Reynolds, but I believe he was just a minority owner.

"Executives" is even more vague.

[Skipscards]

The original USFL is suing the new USFL for trademark infringement. The new USFL claims the original USFL had abandoned the names and trademarks* but this will be a very expensive mistake if they hadn't. I don't know who specifically is suing, but this article claims "the owners and executives of the original USFL." As we all know, one of those owners was.... well, you know.....

*In order to maintain a trademark, it has to be used within a certain timeframe or it is considered abandoned, and anyone can claim it. I don't remember offhand what that timeframe is, but it seems to me that it has been about 30 years since we saw anything USFL related in production....

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/28/original-usfl-sues-fox-over-usfl-reboot/

Yeah, it’s odd Fox wouldn’t have done their due diligence. This will at least bring some more press to the league so who knows? But such an odd situation. There was a documentary recently and some of the USFL people were involved.

[Grid]

The original USFL is suing the new USFL for trademark infringement. The new USFL claims the original USFL had abandoned the names and trademarks* but this will be a very expensive mistake if they hadn't. I don't know who specifically is suing, but this article claims "the owners and executives of the original USFL." As we all know, one of those owners was.... well, you know.....

*In order to maintain a trademark, it has to be used within a certain timeframe or it is considered abandoned, and anyone can claim it. I don't remember offhand what that timeframe is, but it seems to me that it has been about 30 years since we saw anything USFL related in production....

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/02/28/original-usfl-sues-fox-over-usfl-reboot/

It only takes 3 years of "Non-Use" for a trademark to be abandoned.

Nonuse of a mark for three consecutive years creates a legal presumption that the mark has been abandoned. Legal presumptions relate to burdens of proof. So, if a presumption of abandonment has been established, the burden shifts to the trademark owner to show that the mark has been in use during the time period or that the owner has an intent to resume use.

The trademarks were abandoned, and nothing has been registered in decades. Well, except when Fox registered them, and claimed current rights. I highly doubt any of the past owners can claim they were still using them, or that they had recent plans to restart the league.

That should get Fox off the "trademark infringement" suit.

What the owners can push, is "false advertising" and "false association"

When Fox makes claims like "The USFL is back", it implies the original league has returned. And that is not the case. And that they can make a good argument for, as clearly Fox is looking to cash in on nostalgia and closely tie the old league, its owners, rights, players ETC. With the new start up league. And even more so, if Fox tried to claim the former leagues stats, records or just history in general as its own.

[Grid]

And it looks like Fox is now on its heals. As far as "false advertising" and "false association", look at the original press release.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMuBY-oUUAAQ_9H?format=jpg&name=medium

And look at the edits Fox made to that, since the lawsuit was filled. It sure looks like they previously meant to make us believe the new league, and the old league, were in fact one in the same prior to the suit being filed.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FMuBY-tVUAMa3Dh?format=jpg&name=medium

[Skipscards]

Now that’s funny.

As for ongoing use of the trademark, I think they have been using it. Certainly not to the level of an active league, but you could still buy classic USFL merchandise for years.

[altaeria]

To the sparse few on here who may be wondering about new USFL cards...

The season kicks off in only a week, and there still has been no photoshoot leaks or official announcements about any USFL cards.


For a little perspective-

In 2019, the Alliance of American Football season started in late March, and Topps announced their AAF cards a couple months in advance. They also issued some Topps Now cards during the season. The real release was distributed a couple weeks in.

In 2020, the XFL started in early February, and Topps announced those upcoming cards about a month in advance. There were also Topps Now cards issued in-season, but the real release didn't get distributed until after covid killed off the league 5 weeks in.


So maybe there will be something, but it doesn't look very promising.

[Zauron]

I'd wager Topps learned their lesson and won't produce cards until they know it's something with lasting power.

[glassofwater]

I'd wager Topps learned their lesson and won't produce cards until they know it's something with lasting power.

no mention of this at the investor meeting a few weeks ago. they must have their plate full with nil bowman, uefa f1 and chrome tennis to bother.

[altaeria]

I also wonder if that trademark lawsuit was the final nail in the card coffin

[Retired hobbist]

The Philadelphia Stars must not have any actual Marketing Dept. (besides maybe some interns who posts on twitter). How the heck could they not draft Papale??? That would've been an obvious promotional angle for the Philly market.

He played in the WLAF in the 70's, not the USFL in the 80's. I think the team was the Philadelphia Bell.

His son or nephew while being a marketing angle has no familial ties to the original league.

[altaeria]

He played in the WLAF in the 70's, not the USFL in the 80's. I think the team was the Philadelphia Bell.

His son or nephew while being a marketing angle has no familial ties to the original league.


This has nothing to do with the old USFL.

Papale Sr. is like a real-life Rocky Balboa to football fans around Philly. Trust me, I've lived here forever. If Papale Jr. was on the Stars now, he and his dad would probably get invited onto every local morning program and every sports talk show in the region. That would be a ton of local promotion for the Stars.

PS- The WLAF existed in 1991 and 1992.
Your reference was to the WFL, a completely different league.

[hairysasquatch]

This has nothing to do with the old USFL.

Papale Sr. is like a real-life Rocky Balboa to football fans around Philly. Trust me, I've lived here forever. If Papale Jr. was on the Stars now, he and his dad would probably get invited onto every local morning program and every sports talk show in the region. That would be a ton of local promotion for the Stars.

PS- The WLAF existed in 1991 and 1992.
Your reference was to the WFL, a completely different league.

This is correct.

[graffiX]

Who has the license to put out USFL cards? Topps? Panini?

[altaeria]

Who has the license to put out USFL cards? Topps? Panini?

No announcements whatsoever.
Maybe Topps Now or Panini Instant will surprise us.

Or maybe the league will self-produce some through an indie company, kinda like that FanControlled league did last year.

[Grid]

No announcements whatsoever.
Maybe Topps Now or Panini Instant will surprise us.

Or maybe the league will self-produce some through an indie company, kinda like that FanControlled league did last year.

Looks like this Indy has been making card sets for the USFL for a few years already.

http://usfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/

[altaeria]

Looks like this Indy has been making card sets for the USFL for a few years already.

http://usfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/

They've been printing cards related to the 80s USFL.

We are still wondering about the upcoming season.

[Grid]

They've been printing cards related to the 80s USFL.

We are still wondering about the upcoming season.

I get that you are waiting for this upcoming season. I was just pointing out that this Indy has been making cards of the USFL. I doubt any mainstream company will pick up on USFL cards.

Way too many 1 year leagues, and bigger companies getting burned by them.

[majestik101]

First Touchdown Generals! Perez to Satterfield

[majestik101]

Mitchell with the one handed 35 yard TD catch, nice

[Lothar52]

So far so good!! Wish topps was making some cards I’d build a set!!

[Siberian13]

Luani with a big hit. Football is awesome

[Stifle]

Maybe Shea Patterson can beat out Paxton Lync as the starter for the Panthers?

[Super32]

wrong forum!

[Skipscards]

My Bandits looked awesome. Michael Scott and the best Defense in the league! Papale Jr with 3 catches. Maulers got Mauled!

[Soxrule111]

Have they announced the Attendance for Sundays games? Not tickets sold, but actual show up attendance

[Siberian13]

Have they announced the Attendance for Sundays games? Not tickets sold, but actual show up attendance

You can count them on your hands.

[Soxrule111]

You can count them on your hands.

I legit feel like it has to be under 500. I saw them pan out once, and could count maybe 50 people from midfield through the end zone. Its an embarrassment.

[Scottish Punk]

I legit feel like it has to be under 500. I saw them pan out once, and could count maybe 50 people from midfield through the end zone. Its an embarrassment.

The game I watched for a bit, I would wager less than half that number. The kicker extra point cam, I counted 5 people on the screen. The replay from the TD which showed the corner of the stadium, couldn't be more than a dozen. The 50 yard line seemed to have a bit in the lower bowl. Still pretty darn empty. There was zero crowd noise. Sounded like a scrimmage/practice.

I would be major college programs red/which green/white games dwarfed the attendance of the USFl.

[Skipscards]

Have they announced the Attendance for Sundays games? Not tickets sold, but actual show up attendance

Birmingham is the only team that seems draw more than a smattering of people. As for the rest of the teams, most of the smattering are other players and families of the players.

Ultimately what will make the league viable is the same thing that made the original USFL viable...you have to pay for talent. You have to entice guys like Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Sam Mills, etc to want to go to your league instead of the NFL.

Otherwise, you are simply a minor league product. Which is fine and all, but less interesting.

I'll keep having fun rooting on the Bandits even though they ran into a buzzsaw on Sunday.

[Siberian13]

Birmingham is the only team that seems draw more than a smattering of people. As for the rest of the teams, most of the smattering are other players and families of the players.

Ultimately what will make the league viable is the same thing that made the original USFL viable...you have to pay for talent. You have to entice guys like Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Sam Mills, etc to want to go to your league instead of the NFL.

Otherwise, you are simply a minor league product. Which is fine and all, but less interesting.

I'll keep having fun rooting on the Bandits even though they ran into a buzzsaw on Sunday.

Yes but they got the last laugh with the Halo style helmet squat

[Ferg1945]

Birmingham is the only team that seems draw more than a smattering of people. As for the rest of the teams, most of the smattering are other players and families of the players.

Ultimately what will make the league viable is the same thing that made the original USFL viable...you have to pay for talent. You have to entice guys like Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Sam Mills, etc to want to go to your league instead of the NFL.

Otherwise, you are simply a minor league product. Which is fine and all, but less interesting.

I'll keep having fun rooting on the Bandits even though they ran into a buzzsaw on Sunday.

Herschel Walker and Steve Young could be talked out of retirement.

[Grid]

My Bandits looked awesome. Michael Scott and the best Defense in the league! Papale Jr with 3 catches. Maulers got Mauled!

https://c.tenor.com/oSTQXZi9llgAAAAC/thats-what-she-said-the-office.gif

[Grid]

Ultimately what will make the league viable is the same thing that made the original USFL viable...you have to pay for talent. You have to entice guys like Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, Sam Mills, etc to want to go to your league instead of the NFL.



That will never happen, and was the downfall of the original USFL.

What should be happening, is bringing in former known players. Like what the UFL did 10 years ago.

I tuned in, to see players like Daunte Culpepper and Ahman Green give it one last go. Some of those guys ended up with a second shot in the NFL, like Josh McCown.

Think of it as a fringe wrestling federation. You cant steal the big talent from the WWE. But you sure as hell can parade around some of their former stars. Even if they are a little long in the tooth.

[altaeria]

The league is really not focused on attendance right now. Their only concern is television ratings. This is not meant to be a sporting event yet. Think of it as a live television show. Filmed in a single outdoor studio. And if the ratings are high enough, then they will expand the performances to multiple outdoor studios in other cities, and that will encorage local spectators there. Unfortunately, it is being sold as a sporting event to the general public, and tv viewers expect to see a live audience at every performance. That is simply not realistic at this point. In hindsight, maybe the league should've only televised Stallions matchups, and utilized the other games for highlights footage.

[altaeria]

What should be happening, is bringing in former known players. Like what the UFL did 10 years ago.

I tuned in, to see players like Daunte Culpepper and Ahman Green give it one last go. Some of those guys ended up with a second shot in the NFL, like Josh McCown.

That always sounds great in theory, but the general public still doesn't care. Nobody watched the UFL except you, me, and maybe a few thousand people altogether. That is simply not enough to financially sustain any league beyond a tiny regional status.

[Grid]

That always sounds great in theory, but the general public still doesn't care. Nobody watched the UFL except you, me, and maybe a few thousand people altogether. That is simply not enough to financially sustain any league beyond a tiny regional status.

They didn't fold because they employed too many former NFL stars. I'll tell you that much.

They rushed the league out with only 4 teams, instead of the planned 20. And added teams each season, and started moving teams around. But even with that, the Omaha Nighthawks were selling out with 25,000 fans each game by year 2 of the league. A lot of the teams were getting 10-15K people per game. Unlike the new USFL.

They should have just waited to get all the teams, owners, players, stadium deals and finances in place. And then launched. They tripped over themselves. But fans showed up, and there was interest

[altaeria]

They didn't fold because they employed too many former NFL stars. I'll tell you that much.

They rushed the league out with only 4 teams, instead of the planned 20. And added teams each season, and started moving teams around. But even with that, the Omaha Nighthawks were selling out with 25,000 fans each game by year 2 of the league. A lot of the teams were getting 10-15K people per game. Unlike the new USFL.

They should have just waited to get all the teams, owners, players, stadium deals and finances in place. And then launched. They tripped over themselves. But fans showed up, and there was interest


You picked the one city that cared. These leagues always seem to have one city who actually cares. How was attendance in Las Vegas and Florida or Virginia? Didn'f they struggle to sell 8k ?

All that is irrelevant anyway. These leagues need to make money on broadcasting rights. They are tv shows first. Tickets will not generate a profit unless they average 25k per game at full-price tickets. That won't happen until the public already embraces their team as legitimate.

It's all really one big Catch-22.

[Skipscards]

That will never happen, and was the downfall of the original USFL.

What should be happening, is bringing in former known players. Like what the UFL did 10 years ago.

I tuned in, to see players like Daunte Culpepper and Ahman Green give it one last go. Some of those guys ended up with a second shot in the NFL, like Josh McCown.

Think of it as a fringe wrestling federation. You cant steal the big talent from the WWE. But you sure as hell can parade around some of their former stars. Even if they are a little long in the tooth.

Incorrect. The downfall of the original USFL was moving to the Fall to directly compete with the NFL in an attempt to force a merger.

[Siberian13]

Gaither with the walk off game winning TD catch for Pittsburgh. Their first win of the year.

[49erRCCollector]

The Stallions/Breakers game is on here. Hard to watch. Not sure how this ever succeeds. If there are 1000 people in the stands, I’d be shocked. Feels like a few hundred.

[49erRCCollector]

The Stallions/Breakers game is on here. Hard to watch. Not sure how this ever succeeds. If there are 1000 people in the stands, I’d be shocked. Feels like a few hundred.

[PrimeTimeScott]

I wonder if things have just changed now compared to even ten years ago? I think the NFL is so huge now, that spring football isn't as big of a deal as it once was. When the original USFL started, they barely televised the draft (if at all). Even ten years ago, they didn't make an entire evening of the release of the schedule. Today, we get NFL news seemingly every day of the year. Again, I just wonder if there is really as much of an appetite for second tier spring football anymore. I was excited when it was announced, and I've watched about 30 minutes worth of USFL games.

[altaeria]

This league (or most importantly, its television ratings) is driven primarily by customers who prefer to bet on football over baseball... and its potential to attract a chunk of that enormous NFL-betting audience.

[Skipscards]

I wonder if things have just changed now compared to even ten years ago? I think the NFL is so huge now, that spring football isn't as big of a deal as it once was. When the original USFL started, they barely televised the draft (if at all). Even ten years ago, they didn't make an entire evening of the release of the schedule. Today, we get NFL news seemingly every day of the year. Again, I just wonder if there is really as much of an appetite for second tier spring football anymore. I was excited when it was announced, and I've watched about 30 minutes worth of USFL games.

I've definitely watched more than 30 minutes. With this season they are clearly employing the strategy of "aim small, miss small".

[Siberian13]

No buzz and it’s the championship game. Fail

[Retired hobbist]

The game I watched for a bit, I would wager less than half that number. The kicker extra point cam, I counted 5 people on the screen. The replay from the TD which showed the corner of the stadium, couldn't be more than a dozen. The 50 yard line seemed to have a bit in the lower bowl. Still pretty darn empty. There was zero crowd noise. Sounded like a scrimmage/practice.

I would be major college programs red/which green/white games dwarfed the attendance of the USFl.

All of the games I have briefly watched the games look like early training camp crowds on teams that aren't popular.