Forget about the Dodgers and Angels in the playoffs last night in HD here in SoCal. I much preferred watching the United Football League on Versus on my reconditioned netbook. I can relate a little to the UFL, since part of my 16-year career in main sports media was spent in mid-size markets. So really I understand just how tough credibility can be to come by for a start-up league.
But thankfully, the UFL is under the discriminating stewardship of the former agent of Pacman Jones, league commissioner Michael Huyghue. Huyghue clearly understands that in order to draw fans in a hotly-competitive, over-saturated, mid-week professional football market like Las Vegas, you have to give the fans what they want. As I’ve already found out personally, one of the league’s first priorities was to drill-down on online ticket sales. Then there’s the all-important …
Cool, Tracy Morgan Tweet-inspired logos!
(Alternative pronunciation: “Michael EUGGGGE”)
Minty fresh uniform colors:
(I’d brushed, flossed 26 times by the two-minute warning)
Room number-approved sideline reporters:
(Anita Marks actually a doll. Hello ACC football opp?!)
Referees keeping close watch over touchdown celebrations while outfitted in the finest officially-licensed racquetball apparel money can buy:
But as you know, if a new league is really to succeed, the commissioner has to be able to generate credibility from the outset.
During the nationally-televised UFL broadcast from the 36,800-seat Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Huyghue reported this attendance figure on-air to Versus announcers Dave Sims and Doug Flutie: “15,000.”
Felt like breaking out the big arrow on that last one.
1:11 am on October 9th, 2009
Since it’s football I enjoyed it and watched (also watched every televised game in the 15 year run of WL/WLAF/NFLEurope/NFLEuropa and every televised game of the XFL)…
but i still don’t get the purpose of a 4 team league (if you can call 4 teams a league) in the middle of NFL season…a spring league is what people want (if they want more football at all, I’m always down for as much as possible)….going head to head with major college football and HS football, why??
at least they’re giving us players who have been out of football for 5 years (Wendell Bryant) and players who were cut by CFL teams this year starting at QB (Shane Boyd)…
1:27 am on October 9th, 2009
Who won the game?
1:48 am on October 9th, 2009
Vegas was down early but came back and dominated and won the game…
2:56 am on October 9th, 2009
Game quality wasn’t bad, but promotion obviously was horrific.
I was at the game, worst crowd I’ve ever seen. 3,000 tops.
No IDEA how league will survive.
There’s more to making this work than having big name coaches and decent players. Huyghue is going to learn that the hard way.
And the unis are pitiful.
Marketing for Dummies.
4:58 am on October 9th, 2009
Where is the Pac-Man?
Vegas would be ideal for him on off nights or the big celebration after a win.
He could visit his “Scripp Clubs” 24/7 and prove to Goodell he doesn’t have to be involved in people getting shot and paralyzed to enjoy dancing Ho’s like everyone else.
8:59 am on October 9th, 2009
I love the idea that both teams wear the same color blue.
5:01 am on November 26th, 2009
1500, maybe.