Well, it isn't quite the XFL...But I'm sure it'll be just as big a flop. Sorry...But ya can't take on the NFL, NBA, or MLB, and expect to do well. And that's been proven time and time again.
Dragon-wings From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 3920 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (5 years 12 months 4 hours ago) and read 1027 times:
Instead of competing with the NFL they should work with the NFL. The NFL can maybe use this as a player development type league. Something like a minor league.
I'd be surprised if it doesn't fold in the middle of the first season.
With the league already planning teams in L.A., Vegas, and Mexico City team, those are no-brainer moves. The interesting part is what other cities would the UFL put teams in? Basing off the cities where the last few attempts at a league to compete with the NFL put teams, here's a list of the more likely cities:
NYC Metro (you can't have a pro football league without having a New York team)
Chicago (Same as New York)
Orlando (According to Wikipedia, there are already plans to put a team there.)
San Antonio
Memphis
Birmingham
Houston
Portland
Detroit
Boston
Miami
I also wouldn't be surprised if they put teams in Canada as well.
The Wikipedia article I previously mentioned also says the UFL is putting a team in Omaha as well.
WrenchBender From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1779 posts, RR: 9 Reply 4, posted (5 years 12 months 3 hours ago) and read 1004 times:
Quoting Srbmod (Reply 2): I also wouldn't be surprised if they put teams in Canada as well.
That won't happen unless they are buying a CFL Franchise, or they buy out the CFL as a whole. Or here's an idea expand the CFL into the states. No tried that already.
Quoting S12PPL (Thread starter): Sorry...But ya can't take on the NFL, NBA, or MLB, and expect to do well. And that's been proven time and time again.
A lot was said about the AFL not lasting. It went 10 years and then the only way to kill it was a merge.
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (5 years 12 months 2 hours ago) and read 980 times:
Quoting WrenchBender (Reply 4): A lot was said about the AFL not lasting. It went 10 years and then the only way to kill it was a merge.
The NFL-AFL merger is the only modern major sports league merger where no teams were forced to fold. When the NBA merged with the ABA, only four of the teams were brought into the NBA (Three teams folded during the 1975-1976 season (One of them during the playoffs), one team folded prior to the start of the season and the two teams were not invited to join and folded when the merger was completed). A similar type situation happened when the NHL merged with the WHA. The Jets, Nordiques, Oilers, and Whalers were brought into the NHL, with the Birmingham Bulls and Cincinnati Stingers were paid to fold.
While there is probably more than enough players to put together a decent league, it could do so at the expense of other leagues, especially if they pay more than the CFL or AFL., particularly since many players trying to make an NFL roster usually go to Canada or go for the indoor game in order to attract attention.
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12335 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 916 times:
I think Cuban has reached a point of hubris. With the AFL-indoor league and Euro NFL, the NFL does have professional minor leagues already. Since 1980, there has been no successful challange to the NFL and they will do what it takes to kill any challanger off. Mr. Cuban, don't waste your time and money, instead invest it in improving primary and secondary education, aiding the poor and needy, improving the enviroment and so on. At least you will get some return on your investment.
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 900 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Thread starter): Well, it isn't quite the XFL...But I'm sure it'll be just as big a flop. Sorry...But ya can't take on the NFL, NBA, or MLB, and expect to do well. And that's been proven time and time again.
Matt one of the few times we agree. How can this work. No TV revenue, no fans and B list football. I would rather watch the WNBA.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 9, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 889 times:
Quoting Dragon-wings (Reply 1): The NFL can maybe use this as a player development type league. Something like a minor league.
They already have that with the former WLAF/NFL Europe, now NFL Europa.
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 6):
Never take here. Patriots and Red Sox. That's it.
You left out your beloved Bruins!!
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 886 times:
Quoting NIKV69 (Reply 8): Matt one of the few times we agree. How can this work. No TV revenue, no fans and B list football. I would rather watch the WNBA.
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 11, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 882 times:
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 6): They've tried pro and semi-pro teams in BHM for years (various major sports). Won't work. College football baby!
Alabama hasn't played a home game in Birmingham in a few years now. I seriously doubt that UAB draws nearly the numbers for their games as did the Tide. Though you are right that football will fail in BHM although the Barons in minor leagu baseball have done good.
Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 7): I think Cuban has reached a point of hubris.
Only now reached it? Come on, he's been a massive blowhard for a few years now.
"If you can't delight in the misery of others then you don't deserve to be a college football fan."
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 876 times:
I do think a professional team in ANY sport would do well in Vegas, though.
Also, Portland has been trying to get either an NHL, or MLB team very agressivly for years now. There's a lot of talk now, that Paul Allen is finally happy with with the Blazers because they got the #1 over all pick, and he also gained control of the Rose Garden. It doesn't look like he's gonna sell any time soon. He may also look at adding to his pro sports team list by starting up an NHL team. It would boot the Winter Hawks out of Portland, but people here have been screaming for another pro sports team for years. I'd rather see a MLB team myself.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 13, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 866 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 12): I do think a professional team in ANY sport would do well in Vegas, though.
See, I don't know how true that is. The transient/migrant nature of the Vegas population means a massive number will be fans of teams from elsewhere. I think Vegas is like Albuquerque, a great minor league city, but not so good for the big leagues.
Quoting DeltaGator (Reply 11): although the Barons in minor leagu baseball have done good.
That is the minors, not the majors. Selling 35,000-50,000 seats is a lot different than the less than 11,000 their stadium holds.
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 12): and he also gained control of the Rose Garden. It doesn't look like he's gonna sell any time soon.
I think that was the key. Control over the facility means serious revenue for a team owner, to the point that losses for the team aren't really an issue. That is why Mark Cuban was so keen to own the AA Center.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
NIKV69 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 856 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 10): Look who it is...Where have you been?
Been here all along.
Seriously folks this is Mark Cuban trying to get his face on TV. He is an attention whore and if he thinks people are going to flock to the arena and in front of their TVs on Friday night to see guys who couldn't hack it in the NFL or are washed up well God Bless him. Good luck. Personally that money would be better spent on a money market. Guaranteed 5%.
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 15, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 850 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 13): That is the minors, not the majors. Selling 35,000-50,000 seats is a lot different than the less than 11,000 their stadium holds.
Thank you yet again for your wealth of knowledge. Do you think I don't know that? Of course I do. I was just pointing out to the OP that indeed Birmingham has supported a minor league team quite well when he made the statement that semi-pro and pro of any major sport (lowercase "m" implying the sports in general and not the 4 big leagues) have never succeeded in BHM.
That said I do agree with you on the Vegas thing. I just don't see how a team could do that well there given the massively transient (even more so than SoCal) nature of the population there.
"If you can't delight in the misery of others then you don't deserve to be a college football fan."
S12PPL From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 845 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 13): I think that was the key. Control over the facility means serious revenue for a team owner, to the point that losses for the team aren't really an issue. That is why Mark Cuban was so keen to own the AA Center.
He was upset over a bunch of junk. Mostly that the Rose Garden was controlled by someone else, and it was bleeding red ink. I wouldn't be suprised to see him sell the naming rights to the Garden...Maybe we'll see the "Alaska Airlines Arena" sometime in the near future?
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 18, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 830 times:
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 17): I thought they played all their home games in Tuscaloosa.
You are correct. Bama has moved all their games to Tuscaloosa compared to when they used to split them between there and BHM. I was just saying that BHM is not the college football town it used to be.
"If you can't delight in the misery of others then you don't deserve to be a college football fan."
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 19, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 830 times:
Quoting DeltaGator (Reply 15): I just don't see how a team could do that well there given the massively transient (even more so than SoCal) nature of the population there.
I don't see SoCal's population as particularly transient, and the sheer size of the population means there are millions upon millions of natives with heavy allegiance to the local teams.
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 16): I wouldn't be suprised to see him sell the naming rights to the Garden...Maybe we'll see the "Alaska Airlines Arena" sometime in the near future?
Perhaps, though the big money in arenas is in concessions and rental
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 17):
I thought they played all their home games in Tuscaloosa.
They used to play at least one a year at Legion Field.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
Srbmod From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 16888 posts, RR: 51 Reply 21, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 802 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 12): He may also look at adding to his pro sports team list by starting up an NHL team.
With the Nashville Predators being sold to Jim Basillie (the guy that originally was to buy the Pens but the deal fell through because supposedly he would not agree to keep them in Pittsburgh), there's one less team to consider moving, as this upcoming season will probably be the last in Nashville, as like in the case of the Pens, Balsillie has been rumored to want to move a team to Southern Ontario (Fat chance there since the Leafs and Sabres would have to approve such a move since that area falls under both teams' territorial rights.).
Any expansion in the NHL is at least another 4 or 5 years away. I think that expansion will be included in the next NHL CBA, which is tenatively set to expire in July of 2011. The NHLPA has the option to extend it through the 2011-12 season, but the CBA can be re-opened for negotiations by the NHLPA after the 2008-09 season. Any expansion would probably be two teams to give the league 32 teams. Depending on where the Preds end up, these two expansion teams will probably end up in the Western Conference. I would be willing to bet that Paul Allen and Mark Cuban will end up with those teams (I'd throw the Maloofs in as a wild card).
Mark Cuban's involvement with the UFL could potentially help attract other investors (Donald Trump played a major role in the USFL attracting investors).
Shoot, I could care less about hockey. I hate the sport, personally.
I'd rather se Major League Baseball, or an NFL franchise land in Portland. I doubt Portland could support an NFL team attendance wise, though. 60-90,000 fans for Portland is asking a bit much. There is all ready a TON of support for the Seachickens down here. MLB, though...That would work. There is all ready a package in place, and approved by the state legislature to finance a stadium near where the Rose Garden currently is. One idea is to level the Memorial Coliseum, and build it right there on the river...
Whatever they do, though...I hope the NHL stays away from Oregon. There just isn't enough interest in hockey I don't think in the NW...
DeltaGator From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 6341 posts, RR: 16 Reply 23, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 763 times:
Quoting N1120A (Reply 19): They used to play at least one a year at Legion Field.
Usually three games a year most of the time and always the Auburn game from 1948 to 1988 before Auburn finally got the balls to get the game down on the Plains every other year.
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 20): If anything, there appear to be more Auburn fans there now,
Makes sense. Why in God's name would someone willingly live in the Auburn/Opelika area? Prettiest Little City on the Plains....my ass!
Yep, almost always three games until the end of the 2004 season. From 2005 onward they have played all home games in Tuscaloosa. Kind of like how the Packers used to play some home games in Milwaukee.
"If you can't delight in the misery of others then you don't deserve to be a college football fan."
AirCop From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 24, posted (5 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 748 times:
Quoting S12PPL (Reply 22): I'd rather se Major League Baseball, or an NFL franchise land in Portland. I doubt Portland could support an NFL team attendance wise, though. 60-90,000 fans for Portland is asking a bit much.
I would think supporting an NFL team would be easier than a MLB franchise. With all the tv $$ for football, one can make a profit without any fans in the stands case in point, the Arizona Cardinals when they played at ASU. Now MLB is an entire different case with 81 home games a year, and when the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays started in 1998, MLB wouldn't allow them to share in the national tv monies for five years, Tampa never recovered, and Arizona is now only starting to dig itself out of the hole. I could be wrong but isn't the PDX metro area just around 2 million, not enough for baseball, but more than enough for football.
[quote=Srbmod,reply=21]
With the Nashville Predators being sold to..
Expect them somewhere in Canada in the next couple of years, isn't the US market tapped out? (Perhaps Seattle?)
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From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From Canada, joined Feb 2004, 1779 posts, 
Do you think I don't know that? Of course I do. I was just pointing out to the OP that indeed Birmingham has supported a minor league team quite well when he made the statement that semi-pro and pro of any major sport (lowercase "m" implying the sports in general and not the 4 big leagues) have never succeeded in BHM.
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
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