Upstart Football League Seeks To Fill Niche As NFL Feeder
Upstart United National Football League (UNFL) Founder & CEO Marvin Tomlin said that a U.S. football league that is "intended solely to be a farm club for the NFL has never been tried before," according to Gary Rogo of the STAMFORD ADVOCATE. Tomlin: "We believe that fans will embrace a league whose goal is to develop players for the NFL." Three UNFL franchises, two in Texas and one in Kansas, have been sold, and Tomlin said that he "expects more to be sold in the coming months." A source added that a New York franchise will play its games at Hofstra Univ. The UNFL "expects a minimum of eight franchises to be in operation by January." The league's plans call for a roster of 60 players per team, "each of whom will be paid $1,000 a week." No more than 40 players on each team will come from Division I-A schools. The other 20 will come from Division I-AA or lower (STAMFORD ADVOCATE, 4/30).
LET'S GO SOUTH: Tomlin said that Birmingham is the "most likely destination" for an Alabama team, though he "didn't rule out locating a franchise in Mobile or Huntsville." The UNFL has ruled out playing at 60,000-seat Legion Field in Birmingham and instead would "like a team to play at a smaller facility," such as the 15,000-seat Regions Park in Hoover. Tomlin said that the league's goal is to average between 15,000-30,000 fans a game. Tomlin: "I'd rather have people not able to get in the game than have to play in a half-full stadium." Tomlin said that the UNFL in the next 30 days "will announce its eight charter franchises," and "then begin negotiating leases with stadiums." Other league details, including team ownership, also will be revealed this month. Tomlin said that he has spoken to NFL Network, ESPN and Fox Sports "about a broadcasting deal." In Birmingham, Doug Segrest noted Fox "may be the best option," given its RSNs. Tomlin: "We want to build a brand regionally first and then take it nationally" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 5/2).
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