Read an interesting interview with Jarryd Hayne (Ex-Rugby player from NZ who played for San Fran last season) who retired from playing in May (would have been a long shot to make the team). While there is the CFL, Arena, and various Overseas leagues, he makes a point about having an actual team affiliated minor league similar to Baseball.
The argument is that it would allow Rookies and those project players to gain the reps and coaching without taking up a roster spot. Only thing I can see detrimental is that given the avg life of an NFLer, it may eat up too much of that time, and you have the injury risk. But overall this also could be an additional revenue stream for the NFL
link - (
New Window )
To a point it does, but there still is a transition to the NFL game that can't be simulated by College. With a Minor league you're going against the top echelon of College players that are considered good enough to possible play in the NFL
Maybe a 2 year max for a player to allow enough time to be evaluated, both by sponsoring and opposing scouts, like college.
Shit if it wasnt for fantasy football IMO the NFL would be fucked
No one wants to pay and watch that quality of football, the WLAF failed, USFL (not a minor league) failed, XFL was a joke, arena draws dick in most places, it's not needed from a consumer standpoint.
So if it's appropriate from a player development standpoint and you want the guys to get paid and develop have another level of practice squad, or expand the practice squad - which might be semantics if you consider that the equivalent of a minor league.
It's because every game maters in the NCAA. 1 loss can break a season. There is a hell of a lot more passion in the NCAA and so many different types of teams.
Don't get me wrong, College definitely aids in prepping a player for the NFL, but the argument for the minor league is based on upper echelon players getting time against those at their level
And would the NFL want to be liable for CTE for another thousand players who will have no impact on revenue?
Don't get me wrong, College definitely aids in prepping a player for the NFL, but the argument for the minor league is based on upper echelon players getting time against those at their level
That's the point I was going to make. Also the fact that it is a physical sport there is a better chance of injuries than say MLB.
Remember the Westchester Bulls? Bob Tucker?
I had a friend who was QB for them many moons ago.
Expanding practice squads, rosters, and the game day roster is needed much more with the current practice rules. For a minor league to work you essentially need to copy your offensive and defensive game plan in order for it to be useful. Otherwise the CFL, ncaa, and arena leagues fill the need.
First, you'd need to find secondary markets that can afford to draw 10,000 or less fans per game. Put guys on a minimal paycheck with the threat of career altering injuries on the horizon. Then, you have to expand the organizations so that they fund these teams at a huge loss.
They had this several times before, it was called the WFL, the USFL, the XFL, etc.
Give 32 more small crap cities teams and have them duke it out for a spot in the NFL while the Browns go down to fight their way back up.
Week 1 ... 2020.....Giants v. Boise Potatoheads
So let's see:
1) Can't play during the Fall/Winter. Too much competition with High School/College/NFL. Stadium and TV Time open slots will be few, not NFL quality
2) So, you'd have to play Spring/Summer. It's been done before (USFL, XFL, WFL, etc). The same thing comes up every time...too much money invested, not enough coming back for 50 men squads. All those leagues found you can't make money with conventional open air stadiums, 11 man football during that time. Too many costs (including health care coverage) and not enough paying fans/TV.
3) The NFL has a free pipeline of the best young players every year coming from the NCAA. You're simply not going to get enough players coming from an NFL Developmental League back to justify the cost.
4) The NFL didn't get where it was by throwing money away. This is a billion dollar league that still has part time refs, and makes cities pay through the nose for the "priviledge" of having an NFL franchise. Goes back to Mr. Halas.
The only way to have anything like this is to take over Arena. Yes, Arena is current drawing poorly, but a lot of that has to do with poor management, and lack of quality athletes since the pay is poor. When the pay was better, you had better attendance.
If the NFL takes over Arena, and does direct team affiliation (for example, the Giants have a team in NJ, the Jets in MSG), then things change. NFL backing would be a game changer, not only for attendance, but advertising. You'd have money coming in, salaries would rise, you'd have better players, and better play.
In addition, Arena is better suited for exporting to other countries, since you don't need to recruit as many players, and everyone has a hockey rink/basketball area these days. You don't need 40,000 attendance to break even, 10-14k would be fine.
Now, I understand you won't get a full developmental league. Arena would be good for WR's and QB's, not as good for linemen, LB's and CB's. But think about it..the NFL is starving for QB's, and spending around $400 million a year on QB salaries.
You can develop QB's in Arena, and also coaches (Jay Gruden was coach of the Orlando Predators). And Arena has drawn in other countries (France, Mexico, China, Australia). If the NFl really wants to export the brand, this is the best way to do it.
I thought it was funny