That’s what was tried originally; I used to cheer for the Scottish Claymores, being of Scots ancestry on my father’s side…and I hoped that the league would expand to Poland, so that my heritage on my mother’s side of the family would be represented.
(Note to the rest of you: NO JOKES about the team being called the Polish Sausages or the Kickin’ Kielbasas :x !)
However, one of the reasons the National Football League has become the dominant professional sports league in the USA (overtaking baseball) is that they have always run their league as a BUSINESS first and foremost…and Germany was the only part of Europe where the stadia were, if not sold out, respectably full.
Whether this was because the Germans “got” the game more than the rest of their fellow Europeans, or simply the presence of US servicemen and -women there attending the games drove up attendance doesn’t matter to the NFL; the simple fact was that they know how to “follow the money…” which is also why they pulled the plug on the league when they did.
The last league...UFL, still claims to be starting this Fall. But it more then likely will not and will fall off the radar as the other three already have.
The one and only Original gridiron league is alive and well. Long live the CFL!
Has anyone seen this new tv show called" Dhani Tackles the globe"? It’s on the Travel Channel and It’s about an NFL linebacker who is travelling the world playing other cultures sports. The one episode i watched had him playing English Rugby. And, even though he didn’t get killed, he basically got his butt whooped! And when asked by the other players in the locker room afterwards which is harder the idiot actually said american football??? :o :o :o :o
The UFL will definitely play ......and I have a suspicion, succeed where others have failed.
The key to their success will lie in the fact they are partnering with the NFL in many aspects. Instead of competing.
Yes they will be the leftover league, picking up players that get bumped by the NFL due to salary caps, reaching end of career, trying to start a career or just wrong place wrong time for the NFL........
At 80k US for 6 games, why come to the CFL? Hopefully the better players will stay south and more Canadians can play in the Canadian Football League.....
I think most of these leagues will fail. I wish the CFL would expand however. It would be cool to see a few more teams.
Expanding to the U.S. only proved that the CFL could cure our summertime blues, but once the NCAA and NFL kicked up in September...that was it.
If the CFL wanted to expand to the U.S. it would have to be to a city that has no NFL or NCAA team. The only place I can think of like that is Anchorage, Alaska.
As far as these other leagues go...they will go down the tubes, because who has the time and resources to go to to major (events) games in one week?
Spring leagues usually suck too. I wouldn't worry CFL fans, you are here to stay...but you need to expand!
"The "level of play" of many teams is not really high but some great teams (Galaxy Frankfurt - Admirals Amsterdam - Dragoons Barcelona, ...) is similar to the CFL."
OUCH!!!!! Lets not get carried away there. "Similar to CFL"????? I think not. I don't doubt that a European like yourself may be a fan of Gridiron Football, but I did watch the 'WeLAF"/NFL Europe' and I have seen the three teams you mentioned many times.
The quality of play for those 3 was good. I said GOOD! But.....they were NEVER on the same, (no pun intended), playing field as the stellar professionals of the CFL. I have no doubt that a top CIS team or NCAA team could have wiped the field with any one of those 3 teams.
I’ve been a Texas Tech Red Raider Fan my whole life. I was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. I usually go to the game every year against Texas, whether in Lubbock, or in Austin where I live; however, I missed last year because my wife was due with a baby at anytime. Missing that game was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and it was the game of the century! :cowboy:
The reason I’m on the board is because the CFL is my new professional league of choice. I have had it with the NFL!
If they can get through the first year and expand to 8 teams the second year, I think they'll be golden.
Thing is, they're looking to go international and the size of Canadian stadiums would be more than a good fit for them. Perhaps the CFL is in for some competition in the next couple of years?
As I've stated before, the UFL is destined to fail. The only press it's getting is on here. My football loving buddies back in NY have barely heard of it,don't care about it and won't watch it. Americans are in one of the worst recessions in years. The last thing we are interested in is yet another football league comprised of leftovers and has beens.
Good point geo.
Even though it is scheduled for the fall with four teams, this baby will never get off the ground.
The football cemeteries are littered with failed leagues and this one will soon join it.
They appear to be pretty sound in their approach. The other leagues that failed all tried to go the AFL route. They all wanted to compete right away with the NFL.
You can’t do that. The NFL is a juggernaut.
You list the recession as a reason for its failure but do you know how much the average NFL ticket costs? Do you know how much the average UFL ticket will cost? Also, add in travel for the poor folks in Orlando, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City.
Plus, they already have a TV agreement. They’re pretty much set.
The new draft is set for January 2010 and Season to start in February 2010
4 wks preseason, 10 wks season + finals
I was at the Ohio camp and am impressed with the quality of players that showed up.
This looks like it will be like and NCAA Allstar team of undrafted or unsigned players.
Well the i LIKE THE NEW LEAGUES IT WILL BE GOOD FOR FOOTBALL ALOT OF TALENT THAT WASNT DRAFTED WILL GET LOOKED AT.SO THE NFL WILL ONLY GET STRONGER AS THE TALENT THAT WASNT SIGNED GETS LOOKED AT…
The news isn't good and I don't expect any better next year (If there is a next year) So...As has been stated many times lately, this league is no threat to the CFL.