EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey -- The UFL plans to add two more teams and four games to each club's schedule next season, according to Rick Mueller, general manager for all four of the league's teams.Mueller, speaking exclusively to FanHouse on Thursday, said that "it looks good" for expansion in 2010. He said that there is enough talent for the league to field six teams, start the campaign in September and play a 10-game season.
Los Angeles, a city currently without an NFL team, has been rumored as a frontrunner. Mueller did not say for sure whether a deal was in place to bring professional football back to L.A. and would not mention any other locations specifically.
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Despite its imminent growth, the UFL has generated little buzz and has played in front of sparse crowds in massive venues. In fact, the league decided to move several games to smaller stadiums to combat the lack of interest.
The product on the field, however, has been impressive thanks to a talented group of players. Forty-eight percent of those on UFL rosters at the season's outset had previously played for NFL teams.
The four coaches -- Dennis Green, Jim Fassel, Ted Cottrell and Jim Haslett -- are recognizable names, and the league seems committed to a strict financial plan. UFL officials have continually said that the league purposely started modestly so not to burn out too quickly,
The Florida Tuskers, the league's best team, provided the league's only salvo toward the NFL thus far on Wednesday. In a response to comments about his team's talent, Tuskers running back Tatum Bell suggested that his club could beat the NFL's lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Tuskers will host the Las Vegas Locomotives at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Friday to bring the UFL's Week 4 to a close.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-30-2009 @ 1:59PM
Jerry said...
"The four coaches -- Dennis Green, Jim Fassel, Ted Cottrell and Jim Haslett -- are recognizable names".
They are also four of the biggest losers around.
Until this league gets young, exciting college coaches, the seats will remain empty.
The four head coach retreads listed in your article aren't capable of coaching anything. They're simply hanging on to get another NFL shot. Fassel has been passed over by the NFL for six years. Anybody hiring him would be stupid and insane.
Dump these fools and hire people who can coach.
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10-30-2009 @ 2:40PM
ben said...
Can we get a team in Cleveland? It would be nice having a professional football team there.
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11-02-2009 @ 5:08PM
JP said...
You already got 3 teams there buddy Hartford NEEDS a team all we got is the Wolf Pack. I understand them putting a team in L.A. because it's a huge market but Hartford should deffinitly be next on the list
11-01-2009 @ 8:10PM
Brandon said...
What in the world do the COACHES have to do with anything? This league is about developing the PLAYERS. Fans don't come to the stadium to see the coaches in any sports league.
Please give us a team in LA! USC's presence as a national powerhouse has re-energized LA's love for football. We're a new stadium (which looks like it could be coming soon) away from being able to support an NFL team. We certainly can support a UFL team, and they could play at the Home Depot Center.
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11-02-2009 @ 6:15PM
dfoz said...
hartford and LA are most likely receiving the teams.
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11-04-2009 @ 1:10AM
GametimeTruePlay said...
#1 Why come on here to hate? Yo probably couldn't paly on your J.V. team and still bitter.
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11-04-2009 @ 7:44PM
JP said...
Hartford is prime, You'll get the entire state supporting the team and Rentschler Field is plenty large enough to support a team. Plus Rentschler was made to be added on to so if eventually you need a larger venue you can get one easily.
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11-05-2009 @ 10:23AM
NYfan1123 said...
Good strategy in my opinion, start small and build as you go along. Its nice to see another league besides College and the NFL in addition it doesn't look like the supposed return of the USFL isn't going to materialize.
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11-05-2009 @ 1:52PM
Robert Nodge said...
I have seen a few of the games and they are a bit exciting. Even though there seems to be a college atmosphere to the games as how they are played, I do see some future in the league. As for a possible expansion in Hartford, well the team in New York played a home game there and its too close to NY anyways. How about a team in Texas, Colorado, Pensylvania just to name a few.
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