Dave Dixon, a founder of the USFL, plans a new pro football
league with fans as owners. Within the next ten days Dixon plans
to announce formation of the FanOwnership Football League, with
the unveiling in either Cleveland or Houston. The New Orleans
businessman "envisions a league that will offer cheaper tickets,
a longer season, and, above all, stability." Dixon said in "its
present structure, the NFL cannot survive. ... You can't treat
the public this way." Dixon said eight founding owners will put
up a one-time fee of $5M, plus $2M in operating funds. The owner
retains 30% of team stock, with 70% sold to fans with no single
person able to own more than one percent. The league would have
12-16 teams and play a 24-game, fall-winter schedule.
Negotiations are "underway with a major network" for a TV deal,
but Dixon said without a TV contract, the league would go after
syndication or other TV outlets. The league will target "major
cities," domed stadiums and warm weather cities. Play is
scheduled to begin play September '96 with an average ticket
price of $10 (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 11/10). Dixon said he had
spoken to CBS, Warner Brothers, and UPN and predicted CBS "will
make a major bid" for the NFL in '97 (USA TODAY, 11/10).
ANOTHER LEAGUE: Robert Lewis, a New York lawyer who is
trying to form another pro league with Calvin Hill as
Commissioner said if they don't get a TV network deal in the next
2-3 weeks, "we'll probably delay until 1997." Lewis: "It amazes
me how fearful these (network) guys are of the NFL" (Rudy
Martzke, USA TODAY, 11/10).
