New Spring Pro Football League Hopes To Avoid Fate Found Upon Other Ventures

Major League Football is “set to begin play in spring 2016,” but unlike other upstart pro football ventures, its goal is “not to compete against the NFL,” according to Stephen Ruiz of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The league will be headed by CEO Jerry Vainisi, who formerly served as Bears GM, and President Wes Chandler, a 11-year NFL veteran. Chandler said that the “ultimate goal” of MLFB is “sustainability … and to avoid what happened with ill-fated spring leagues” like the USFL, XFL, UFL and World League of American Football. Chandler said that the league “could serve to grow the pool of qualified officials, trainers and marketing people. He said that community service and “life-skills training will be key components of the league.” Chandler noted that MLF “won't put franchises in cities with NFL or Major League Baseball teams.” Orlando has been given a team, and Oklahoma City and Norfolk, Va., “are among other possible franchise sites” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/28).