Nike has plans to launch a national seven-on-seven touch football league that "has the potential to further change the face of recruiting, NCAA enforcement and college football," according to Dennis Dodd of CBSSPORTS.com. A source said that Nike's initiative includes a "sponsorship deal with Marriott and possibly a similar deal with an airline to transport players." Players would be "required to pay up to at least $1,000 to participate," and a team of around 25 players "would spend their offseason practicing and playing in two tournaments." There are five cities involved in the project -- Atlanta, DC, K.C., Philadelphia and S.F. Future plans "may include junior-high, junior varsity and varsity teams all under the Nike banner." The apparel company currently "sponsors a seven-on-seven competition in conjunction with its well-known The Opening each spring, but the new event is more national in scope." The development is simply Nike "keeping up with the competition." More than 200 teams this year will play in the "national Adidas competition that culminates in the 'national championship' July 30-31 in Atlanta." Additionally, IMG has "sponsored a championship for five years." Seven-on-seven football started as an "offseason activity to sharpen skills," but it has developed into a "contrived 'sport' monetized/legitimized by sponsors and corporations." It has become "arguably the NCAA's biggest concern because of its similarity to the seedy side of AAU basketball" (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/21).
