Does Fledgling UFL Need To Do A Better Job Of Publicizing Itself?

The UFL recently has had "plenty of news to pass along but doesn't seem to want anyone to know," according to Mark Anderson of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The league's Las Vegas franchise did not hold a press conference after signing former Bills QB J.P. Losman and former NFL coach Jim Fassel as coach, and Anderson wrote the UFL "constantly needs to bug already skeptical media members for coverage, or it won't succeed," as its chances "aren't great to begin with, especially in a recession." Stories are "out there for the league to push, but the Las Vegas team doesn't even have [a] Web site." Anderson noted former NFL execs are involved in the league, "and maybe that's the problem," as they are "used to the media catering to them." Anderson: "Maybe the UFL will succeed in Las Vegas and elsewhere, but it's not off to a promising start.  ... The league can't waste time by continuing to treat legitimate news like state secrets" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 6/20).

AROUND THE BLOCK: SI.com's Peter King wrote what impresses him about the UFL's first draft, which was held last Thursday, is "how many players there are out there trying to resuscitate their careers." King: "I have no idea if this league will last ... but at least it's serious about getting players who've been there and done that" (SI.com, 6/22).