If you're a shopkeeper and you have a relationship with suppliers, the suppliers don't necessarily have to get along. The shopkeeper benefits from a rivalry (discount deals). I'm sure the NFL benefits in some way when these guys take shots at each other.
The subtle way is that people noticed that FOX took the shot so in the same breath they are mentioning the XFL.
Interesting that Canadians are heading South - granted one of them got suspended for PED -
I figured there would be some player movement between the leagues but there has been more than I expected.
This is only year 2. Imagine if these vile spring leagues are around for another 5 years.
If anybody in here is engaged in a meeting by chance with Randy Ambrosie in the room, somebody please kick him under the table so as to awaken him on this front.
Or maybe kick some of the owners too who might still believe that a "wait-and-see" defensive strategy, when RedBird Capital and Fox / The NFL Godfather are on the other side competing for some of the same skills and talent, was ever a good idea?
Well indeed I do agree with you here. And given a cross-post below and a report about ESPN's deal with the XFL 3.5, I'm also thinking now that Fox and the Godfather had grounds for being more aggressive early as well.
Some of the pieces that have quickly fallen into place for the USFL 2.0 and in contrast to the XFL 3.5, like the quick addition of two more hubs, indicate a bigger picture and grander design.
Well this much some of us were able to confirm today.
Between the lacklustre opening game of the XFL 3.5, and noticing also a solid bunch of embittered USFL 2.0 fans on Facebook who have to be amongst the most miserable people in general now if they are either jealous of the XFL 3.5 or chanting "merge the leagues" from their usual Spring Football Echo Chamber in their Spring Football Shrine instead of ...simply just watching the XFL!?
Let us now pause for a moment of gratitude.
Thank you CFL for not collaborating any more with any such spring football leagues, and please do not collaborate under their current management and with ESPN involved even with a major investment.
Major investors of any millions more would make such changes anyway in who is managing their higher sums before shelling out for any bigger league that goes across borders.
I disagree about the opening game. It was 10x better than XFL 1.0 and overall more crisp than 2.0. turnovers sure,but light on penalties, miscues, and overall less sloppy play. I was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelmingly positive responses on Twitter and especially the ESPN Facebook comments page. Hopefully the 2 games today look even better
@Paolo_X I know you hate the USFL with every fiber of your being and I fully realize that you are going to blast me with the USFL echo chamber shotgun you keep locked and loaded for such uses, but after looking at the last couple of business moves that Fox was able to pull off - dumping the RSNs on Disney who had to unload them - and then also dumping all the studios and whatnot on Disney - and it is now looking like Disney made a mistake buying all that stuff -
I know that the NFL is behind this USFL business with Fox - that said it is not very often that Fox has made terrible business errors in the last few decades - If Fox can get content for minimal dollars and not have to pony up for the MLB, NHL or NBA - Five years from now this might look like a coup for Fox - All told I am going to wait for a while before I pass judgement on Fox/NFL/USFL and this business adventure they have going in spring football.
There's more brewing here in line with these fine points.
For March and April all NBA, MLB, and NHL teams in the US with regional sports network deals for local games, other than for a few games on national broadcast (i.e. ABC, Fox, and ABC respectively), and save those who have figured out how to get on cheaper local broadcast such as the LA Clippers for a few games via the CW, are going to be thinking the following once some of the rest of the regional sports networks go splat.
The regional sports networks in the bigger cities such as Chicago or New York City should be okay given the volume of the fan base.
"Wait. You mean to tell me that this USFL 2.0 crap is on Fox, and sometimes on NBC even as well, but more of our games are not!?"
Much as are doing the LA Clippers, rather than be relegated to streaming for the rest of your games via the fall of the regional sports networks, simply go to the likes of the CW for some cheap but effective local broadcast presence.
Once bankruptcy is declared by Bally Sports I think that the major upheaval is going to happen. And the Clippers are ahead of the curve going to the CW -
Side note I wonder if the CW channels across the country are going to get some bargain basement deals with the NBA/NHL or MLB in regard to broadcasting games? Some type to broadcast on linear TV and then have some kind of streaming service?
I have not examined the particulars and because it's far too much for me, but I have to wonder now on the financial and valuation situation for the smaller local broadcast stations that had struggled for so long especially since the Great Recession in 2008.
I did notice in flipping channels for sake of old tradition after the XFL game that the CW is advertising the upcoming LIV golf already during shows on also partner stations that are not CW stations.
It would be a natural move for the CW and other smaller, local broadcasters to add more sports content and become known as a local live sports destination. I'd watch and watch more rather than having to watch via another stream, which I do only for soccer and the NHL and sometimes the NFL if at work.
I haven't heard of any of the players selected but I don't follow USA college closely admittedly. Here's the rules though.
As discussed on the XFL thread, now that a USFL 2023 thread had been started I will lock this 2022 (and prior) thread.