Should SFL hook up with UFL?

[broncofan]

Now I know this assumes a lot of things, such as the UFL being around in another year, and not being owned by the NFL. But it's still an interesting question.

I'm not saying the leagues should merge. But they could set up a cooperative arrangement. UFL assistants could coach in the SFL. The leagues could coordinate marketing and scouting. Players would be better able to move from the SFL to the UFL. Equipment costs would go down due to larger volume buying power.

What do you think?

[gatek99]

you mean like the SFL be the minor league to the UFL?

[jwolf]

Now that would be interesting! But I wonder about the 2 different business models they use. Would they be compatible? It's like the SFL is starting off at a snails pace from the aspect of building a fanbase. They seemed more intereseted the first year in just getting games played. The UFL on the other hand started off strong with the "It's all about you" motto, and seemed to push the "fan freindly" aspect of the game. But alienating your vendors and your employees by not paying them erodes your fanbase quickly, not to mention moving or folding teams constantly. Your '"strentgh in numbers" argument is a valid one though. I think this December to next March will be crucial for both leagues. The UFL owners meetings will take place and I'm not optimistic aboutthe outcome. But at the same time the SFL will be trying to add teams and investors into its fold. Would some of the UFL investors see the SFL as a more stable risk given the much lower price tag per franchise? And would we maybe see the Mountain Lions and/or the Nighthawks/Locos destroyers, etc added to the SFL mix?

[broncofan]

Aug 16, 2011 15:21:06 GMT -5 gatek99 said:

you mean like the SFL be the minor league to the UFL?

I don't know if it would be quite a minor league system. Certainly a partnership. There's probably a number of ways it could be done.

[coachb]

no... not sure how the ufl is managing to survive how much there losing money.. and the SFL just can`t even compete 1 tenth of that money right now...

baby steps..

[whaler4life]

I would steer clear of the UFL for now, their still dealing with payment issues (not paying several people/companies). The longer the SFL can go without being associated with crap like that the better.

[J. Myrle Fuller]

With that toxic commissioner, and Hambrecht standing by him, it'd be a kiss of death to associate with that league. However, if they found a way to associate themselves with some of the former owners in that league (e.g. Speros, Theismann, Sternberg, Mayer, perhaps even Nelson or Moglia if they decide to jump ship) they could be a de facto successor. Then you'd really have a big expansion. You go from signing people like Pee Jay Jack to signing people like Brian Brohm-- people with NFL experience and potential.

There's a reason that Las Vegas is still being targeted as an expansion side even with the Locos there. Sure, Fassel's done a good job with that team, but above him, it's basically the UFL's flagship team, owned by the founder, and if the top is rotting, it will eventually trickle down.

[jwolf]

I have no doubt that the SFL powers that be are watching the unraveling of the UFL very closely. And for all we know reaching out to its investors. If they aren't then they should be....

[broncofan]

OK, so my timing was not the best on suggesting this idea!

[jwolf]

Well maybe not in its original context but actually since it's looking increasingly ugly for the UFL maybe we should be speculating not on the UFL as awhole merging with the SFL but rather the pieces that will be left over ie the iowners/investors, the current franchises, and the branding of the old franchises. There's a whole lotta money and equipment about to be freed up in the alternative football world soon I think....