https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2 ... eter-king/
>> The United States Football League just became the first alternative spring football league in 20 years to make it through a season. I was in Birmingham for all 10 weeks of the USFL regular season to call games for NBC. I had insight into every part of the league and got to know many of the players, coaches and administrators.
Peter King told me: “You’re just the guy to put a wrap on the USFL regular season.”
After what we’ve seen with alternative spring leagues in the recent past, making it to this point is no small task. Job well done.
But making it to season two in a better place will require development. Being a better league for the players and coaches, as well as having a better product on television, will require strategic fixes and enhancements.
Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room: The XFL will debut next winter. Who knows what kind of quality it will have out of the gates. But in the abstract, it’s hard to imagine two spring leagues thriving, let alone surviving. <<
ALSO talks of:
-Longer Training Camp - likely a week
-More Players On Rosters - 40 was a start he says but lets see
-Opportunities For Undrafted Players - meaning undrafted in the same year of play, getting players to sign mid season
-More Fans, One More Stadium - looks like a north division Hub I'm pulling for Philly (doubling for NJ)
-Same Schedule - ie time of year in year 2, something that may work for Fox/NBC but good weather is a tough beat
I am concerned that the XFL / USFL competing don't do more damage to spring FB and would be better to work together and sooner rather than later. For USFL - Cost containment needs to be balanced against obtaining good TV rating. You don't want to over spend nor under spend if the benefit matches cost.