What's it going to take to get these Spring Football Leagues to have success?

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

I didn't even realize the XFL is already in Week 10, and has the USFL even started yet? It just seems like a tough thing to market, but in theory it should be super easy to get fans on board.

What's the solution? It seems like one big starting point would be to put teams in major cities that don't have a pro football team, like Knoxville or Orlando.

I felt like the AAF had the best strategy on the table, which was to use their league as a draft league for the NFL, but obviously that didn't pan out.

Edit: I see Orlando does have an XFL team. Probably should have looked that up first.

 

[cncchris33]

I think it's an oversaturation which is unlikely to ever take off, tbh. It being viewed, fair or not, as a subpar product to the NFL doesn't help, either. People associate football with fall, and frankly, many need a break in the spring to enjoy the better product in the fall. It being the shortest season of the major sports, it doesn't have to compete with the others at the same time for a long period of time. In the spring, baseball is kicking off, NBA and NHL are getting into the playoffs, plus March Madness are all competing for attention. Tough for a lesser football league to get any traction. I'm surprised that the leadership and investors of these leagues don't recognize that and agree that it's a lost cause. It's their money, and they likely know more than me, but it seems like a foolish pursuit enforced by several failed attempts to make it work.

 

[LouderVol]

I think the issue is there is no history to care about, and no history for fans to have an established team. I would suggest they find some older defunct AFC/NFC teams/franchises/cities and try to create teams there to pull on those ties. Give the fans a reason to care.

I don't know if they are, but it would probably help if they had a tie to the NFL. Let the teams have a draft shortly after the NFL draft to lean on that hype, or to see where some of these guys go who didn't get drafted.

I also think having some guys move up from the USFL or XFL to the NFL ranks would help drive some legitimacy and a reason to watch.

 

[volanatic]

I think it's an oversaturation which is unlikely to ever take off, tbh. It being viewed, fair or not, as a subpar product to the NFL doesn't help, either. People associate football with fall, and frankly, many need a break in the spring to enjoy the better product in the fall. It being the shortest season of the major sports, it doesn't have to compete with the others at the same time for a long period of time. In the spring, baseball is kicking off, NBA and NHL are getting into the playoffs, plus March Madness are all competing for attention. Tough for a lesser football league to get any traction. I'm surprised that the leadership and investors of these leagues don't recognize that and agree that it's a lost cause. It's their money, and they likely know more than me, but it seems like a foolish pursuit enforced by several failed attempts to make it work.

Totally agree. Over saturation. It is a mediocre product. It’s still football so some of us will tune in, but you’re right. We’re not choosing it over March Madness, and most of us aren’t skipping baseball, MLB or NCAA, just to watch. It’s a waste of time from a consumer standpoint. Which is unfortunate for the guys who are getting a shot to play post college and loving it. It is what it is.

 

[hog88]

USFL and XFL need to merge and draft players out of HS, basically become a minor league farm system for the NFL.

 

[EverythingOrange]

Biggest issue: Any & Every player that is good enough is going to split for the NFL — IN A SECOND!

That is why they will always be second-tier football……

 

[rocky top buzz]

I think the most successful non-NFL football league was arena football, I believe they had a 20+ year run, correct? I think having the games at nights was a big deal, I know the Nashville Kats at their peak, those Friday night games were a thing to do. I don't think competing for attention on the weekends is going to work. And even when the Titans were here they remained popular. But I do agree it makes no sense to have them in an NFL market.

But I also think you have to measure success. How successful is Canadian football? I occasionally watch it when I see on tv during the summer but the players make what, something like $40k a year? How often do players not named Kurt Warner successfully go from the CFL to NFL? The shelf life on football is so short it's just hard to make it as a journeyman. Not that it's easy in baseball but you can reasonably play into your mid-30's to 40's so that 28 year old pitcher might be worth a risk. A 28 year old linebacker is at the end of his career.

 

[stolitonic]

I think the most successful non-NFL football league was arena football, I believe they had a 20+ year run, correct?

But I also think you have to measure success. How successful is Canadian football? I occasionally watch it when I see on tv during the summer but the players make what, something like $40k a year? How often do players not named Kurt Warner successfully go from the CFL to NFL? The shelf life on football is so short it's just hard to make it as a journeyman. Not that it's easy in baseball but you can reasonably play into your mid-30's to 40's so that 28 year old pitcher might be worth a risk. A 28 year old linebacker is at the end of his career.

Think you meant Doug Flutie there near the end. Warner played Arena League I think and not CFL.

There have been a few others who have gone from the CFL and become pretty big stars. Warren Moon, Joe Theismann, Cameron Wake with the Dolphins a few years back. Sure there are others.

 

[zjcvols]

USFL and XFL need to merge and draft players out of HS, basically become a minor league farm system for the NFL.

This.

 

[KnoxRealtorVOL]

USFL and XFL need to merge and draft players out of HS, basically become a minor league farm system for the NFL.

Yeah maybe, but who would watch that? I think that's the problem.

Maybe they should consider going the other way and utilize major college football programs. Like players that played at UT but didn't get drafted could go on to play for the Knoxville Volunteers, and they could square off with the Gainesville Gators and the Athens Bulldogs maybe?

That might generate an interest because you're essentially cashing in on rivalries that are already established.

 

[Delmar]

I didn't even realize the XFL is already in Week 10, and has the USFL even started yet? It just seems like a tough thing to market, but in theory it should be super easy to get fans on board.

What's the solution? It seems like one big starting point would be to put teams in major cities that don't have a pro football team, like Knoxville or Orlando.

I felt like the AAF had the best strategy on the table, which was to use their league as a draft league for the NFL, but obviously that didn't pan out.

Edit: I see Orlando does have an XFL team. Probably should have looked that up first.

Yes, the USFL has started. The Memphis Showboats are already 0-3 and may be one of the worst teams I’ve ever seen. Watched a couple of series the other day and it was all I could stomach. Can’t spread minor league talent over two leagues and expect them to succeed.

 

[hog88]

Yeah maybe, but who would watch that? I think that's the problem.

Maybe they should consider going the other way and utilize major college football programs. Like players that played at UT but didn't get drafted could go on to play for the Knoxville Volunteers, and they could square off with the Gainesville Gators and the Athens Bulldogs maybe?

That might generate an interest because you're essentially cashing in on rivalries that are already established.

If the NFL was smart they would affiliate with a combined USFL/XFL and bear some of the player costs. As I said earlier use it as a farm system for payers on the bubble of making a practice squad, let those players develop and also give HS kids who can't make it into or don't want to got to college an option.

I like spring football but unless they affiliate with the NFL I don't see either league surviving.

 

[zjcvols]

If the NFL was smart they would affiliate with a combined USFL/XFL and bear some of the player costs. As I said earlier use it as a farm system for payers on the bubble of making a practice squad, let those players develop and also give HS kids who can't make it into or don't want to got to college an option.

I like spring football but unless they affiliate with the NFL I don't see either league surviving.

Think how large the nfl draft is. Now move to draft to early May, start these spring leagues in mid February with 10 games and use eligible 19-22 year old players. People will definitely watch.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Biggest issue: Any & Every player that is good enough is going to split for the NFL — IN A SECOND!

That is why they will always be second-tier football……

That is what it's all about, and providing a job for has-beens & wannabees. (Coaches too) The NFL is involved, hence the guarantee of somewhat success. VEGAS is happy$$$ I can't watch it. Looks like a Football Game with Akron & Eastern Michigan. 500 fans with free tickets. I don't know how long Fox can continue broadcasting ; who is going to spend advertising bucks on it?

 

[rocky top buzz]

Think you meant Doug Flutie there near the end. Warner played Arena League I think and not CFL.

There have been a few others who have gone from the CFL and become pretty big stars. Warren Moon, Joe Theismann, Cameron Wake with the Dolphins a few years back. Sure there are others.

Yeah I guess I thought it was Warner. Either way fact is it is few and far between for those who don't go straight from college to NFL.

 

[CAVPUT]

I'd watch either of them before I'd watch the NFL again.

 

[volfanhill]

I think the issue is there is no history to care about, and no history for fans to have an established team. I would suggest they find some older defunct AFC/NFC teams/franchises/cities and try to create teams there to pull on those ties. Give the fans a reason to care.

I don't know if they are, but it would probably help if they had a tie to the NFL. Let the teams have a draft shortly after the NFL draft to lean on that hype, or to see where some of these guys go who didn't get drafted.

I also think having some guys move up from the USFL or XFL to the NFL ranks would help drive some legitimacy and a reason to watch.

End thread

 

[aaronvol]

They'll never make it and will still have more viewers than the WNBA.

 

[butchna]

Create a mind control device and make the populace care for mediocre out of season football.

 

[AllThingsTN]

It’s early. But it’s going to have to have fans that are first invested in teams or players. It’s not something that’s going to gain a huge following overnight. But I do believe it can be successful.

 

[joevol33]

They'll never make it and will still have more viewers than the WNBA.

The WNBA would make it if they'd draft the hot girls . Though I hate Kentucky, I was a fan of Maci Morris because she's from where I'm from, and one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen play basketball. Her parents live like minutes from mine, so gotta pull for someone like that. I'd watch her for that, and I just thought she was gorgeous for a basketball player. She was good in college, but ended up overseas playing. I'm not trying to say most of those ladies are ugly, but most are. I know, that's not politically correct, but there are guys who would watch if most of the girls were hot

 

[VolNExile]

The WNBA would make it if they'd draft the hot girls . Though I hate Kentucky, I was a fan of Maci Morris because she's from where I'm from, and one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen play basketball. Her parents live like minutes from mine, so gotta pull for someone like that. I'd watch her for that, and I just thought she was gorgeous for a basketball player. She was good in college, but ended up overseas playing. I'm not trying to say most of those ladies are ugly, but most are. I know, that's not politically correct, but there are guys who would watch if most of the girls were hot

Joe, Joe, Joe. Luv ya, but sometimes could consider strangling you!

You basically just said that a highly talented woman isn’t particularly interesting unless she’s also pretty. So I shouldn’t bother watching Anthony Davis when he plays, because of the unibrow? (No, I don’t watch him because I’m not a Lakers fan.)

C’mon, you’ve got a wife and three daughters - practice imagining what it’s like to always be evaluated FIRST for looks, and only then for athletic skill, character, intelligence, creativity, etc.

 

[Pennheel]

I've noticed at the XFL games,at least there's fans at the game. Plus,there's different rules which makes it more interesting and entertaining. With the USFL,there's nobody in the stands at all.

If you're a die-hard fan , I could understand watching it. With someone like me,after college football and the playoffs in the NFL,I'm done with football. I'm burnt out on it regardless of how good it is. That goes for all sports. I'm moving on to whatever sport I enjoy that happens to be going on at the time.

 

[TheDeeble]

If the NFL was smart they would affiliate with a combined USFL/XFL and bear some of the player costs. As I said earlier use it as a farm system for payers on the bubble of making a practice squad, let those players develop and also give HS kids who can't make it into or don't want to got to college an option.

I like spring football but unless they affiliate with the NFL I don't see either league surviving.

I'd say one of the smartest things the NFL has done is stay out of development league football. They have had no reason and currently still have no reason to get involved.

College programs produce NFL ready talent from 17 year old high school students and make them NFL draft day prospects. And the NFL gets it at little to no cost to themselves . No professional development league is going to come close to the revenue juggernaut of college football. Colleges want that money and once it's separate from college the revenue will dry up because of the reasons listed above. No fanbase and no history. College football has decades of tradition, fan support, and rivalry behind it that professional teams are probably jealous of. Tennessee Vols can get 100,000 people to a single home game in Neyland. A Tennessee farm football team probably won't get 100,000 attendance total in an entire season of home games.

There would have to be a major earthquake in college sports to upset the current model and I can't think of what that would be. Even declaring student athletes as employees I think the major football conferences would still adapt and keep hold. The colleges want football revenue and the fans want college football.

 

[joevol33]

Joe, Joe, Joe. Luv ya, but sometimes could consider strangling you!

You basically just said that a highly talented woman isn’t particularly interesting unless she’s also pretty. So I shouldn’t bother watching Anthony Davis when he plays, because of the unibrow? (No, I don’t watch him because I’m not a Lakers fan.)

C’mon, you’ve got a wife and three daughters - practice imagining what it’s like to always be evaluated FIRST for looks, and only then for athletic skill, character, intelligence, creativity, etc.

, I was aiming to trigger, but not you