EndZone Sports Management Founder Jaime Cuadra, whose company recently bought a controlling interest of the USFL, said that he “sees an opportunity to develop a winning business model to serve players caught between the NFL and arena leagues,” according to Aaron Fentress of the Portland OREGONIAN. The goal is “to start with eight teams playing a 14-game schedule in markets without NFL and Major League Baseball teams and that have stadiums seating 20,000 to 30,000.” Target cities include Austin, Birmingham, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Portland, Raleigh-Durham and Salt Lake City. The USFL is “seeking local business leaders to put together groups to buy franchises” for $7.5M. Of that amount, $1M “would go toward membership into the league” and $6.5M into “an escrow account to cover operating expenses.” Cuadra said that the league “hopes to reach an average attendance of 17,000 per game with an average ticket price of between $30 to $40.” Players “would be paid $2,000 to $3,000 per game plus housing.” Cuadra added that he “envisions the USFL as a developmental league for the NFL” and to increase interest, rosters “would include about 40 percent local players” (OREGONLIVE.com, 5/18).
