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Player salaries in the fledgling FXFL "will be low, no more than about $1,250 per week, and the league will not rely on ad revenue from television contracts to stay afloat," according to Peter Bukowski of SI.com. The idea is to "go into cities where sports infrastructure is already in place ... and partner with them to provide a field as well as a fan-friendly atmosphere." Games would be played during the week to "avoid conflicting with high school, college and pro games," but would still be during the fall "when excitement and anticipation about football is the highest." The FXFL will try to "implement a true minor-league model" in conjunction with the NFL, "but for now they believe they can make the finances work simply by getting people to the park." With an overall budget of around $8M, the league "doesn’t need to hit enormous revenue touchstones." Former NFLer Tommie Harris is a "visible name and face to put his stamp of approval on a fledgling startup football league." He is the "first owner of one of the six franchises in the FXFL, his in Austin." Harris understands the league is a "work in progress, but he believes the FXFL has all the tools needed to succeed." Harris: “We’re putting together our own foundation, our structure. Where the games will be played. The pricing. We’re trying to make this concept something special and something that can continue to keep growing." Bukowski wrote the FXFL could eventually "function like other minor leagues where NFL teams hold stake in a franchise and could call up players during the season." For now, it will be a "place where NFL teams can send scouts to see players" and a "breeding ground for coaches, referees, scouts and executive personnel" (
SI.com, 7/7).
