New developmental professional football league starting up (link)

[TC4THREE]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/could-...vbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjI2MTdfMQRzZWMDc3I-

http://btn.com/2017/01/11/dienhart-pacific-pro-football-and-its-possible-impact-on-big-ten/

Apparently players can make about 50k per year. I actually love that this is happening because it gives an alternative to players who whine about not getting paid a salary. Now's there's an alternative where they can. Let's just see how many players opt for the 50k over a college scholarship. Leads me to a number of questions.

1. Who is funding this? I can't imagine it will make any money so unless it's subsidized by the NFL I don't see how it will stay afloat. If you have a 200 players making 50k a year that's 10 million in salary alone. Unless they have significant revenues (see question #2) I don't see this turning a profit.

2. Who will watch it? Other than close friends and family of players involved I can't see anyone paying to watch this. Maybe the NFL can put games on NFL Network or something but just because they give it air time on their network doesn't mean the programming is making them any money unless people actually tune in to watch it.

3. Are any other living expenses covered for the players? Housing? Food? If not, that 50k isn't going to go very far at all, especially in California.

 

[Wolegib]

50K is better than teacher pay and also a lot better than most entry level management positions. Players could use the experience to develop or learn how to become a coach. The NBA developmental league attracts a certain crowd. and their teams have players who are not on NBA paychecks.

 

[Purdue4Life]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/could-...vbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDQjI2MTdfMQRzZWMDc3I-

http://btn.com/2017/01/11/dienhart-pacific-pro-football-and-its-possible-impact-on-big-ten/

Apparently players can make about 50k per year. I actually love that this is happening because it gives an alternative to players who whine about not getting paid a salary. Now's there's an alternative where they can. Let's just see how many players opt for the 50k over a college scholarship. Leads me to a number of questions.

1. Who is funding this? I can't imagine it will make any money so unless it's subsidized by the NFL I don't see how it will stay afloat. If you have a 200 players making 50k a year that's 10 million in salary alone. Unless they have significant revenues (see question #2) I don't see this turning a profit.

2. Who will watch it? Other than close friends and family of players involved I can't see anyone paying to watch this. Maybe the NFL can put games on NFL Network or something but just because they give it air time on their network doesn't mean the programming is making them any money unless people actually tune in to watch it.

3. Are any other living expenses covered for the players? Housing? Food? If not, that 50k isn't going to go very far at all, especially in California.

In regards to number 2, that will be the biggest issue. With football, there are way too many players in high school for people to follow. Can't build up a big enough following for a minor league.

With basketball it is much easier to find out about and follow the top players.

 

[TC4THREE]

50K is better than teacher pay and also a lot better than most entry level management positions. Players could use the experience to develop or learn how to become a coach. The NBA developmental league attracts a certain crowd. and their teams have players who are not on NBA paychecks.

This league also limits players to 4 years out of high school. Nobody is going to be making a career out of it.

I will certainly be shocked if many/any high level players end up there as opposed to college. To start off with, they can probably make more money at most SEC schools.

In short, I just think leagues like this end up strengthening my position that college players don't really deserve a salary because the value that draws the money from college football and the NCAA tournament aren't the brands that have been built over decades and not the individual players.

 

[FirstDownB]

Seems it would almost have to be subsidized by the NFL. Personally, I think this all boils down to the QB position. Maybe the QB position is now considered so important to an NFL franchise and their contracts are now so excessively high, it is worth funding a small league to increase your hit rate on draft day. That $10M or whatever split 30 ways is nothing compared to giving a $60M contract to the next Jamarcus Russell.

 

[nat100]

Who is going to watch this and what is the market? If you are an elite player, you arent going to beat the exposure you get at Bama, OSU, USC etc.

 

[PaBoiler78]

Seems it would almost have to be subsidized by the NFL. Personally, I think this all boils down to the QB position. Maybe the QB position is now considered so important to an NFL franchise and their contracts are now so excessively high, it is worth funding a small league to increase your hit rate on draft day. That $10M or whatever split 30 ways is nothing compared to giving a $60M contract to the next Jamarcus Russell.

wouldn't watch it and it's my fave sport to watch. By the time pro football is over, I'm footballed out. Like w/ anything else too much is not good.

 

[Wolegib]

This seems much like the old semi-pro football. We had a team in Madison Wi called the Madison Mustangs. They had a cult local following much like the Ft Wayne Mad Ants do. They were better than the majority of other teams in their league as they had a lot of former UW players. This also led to their local marketing.

A thought about this league. We all know some senior that was hoping to be drafted , but suffers a season ending injury and is forgotten. this would give him an opportunity to prove himself.

another twist/take. All NFL teams have practice squads. They are already on the team's payroll making a minimum salary. I could easily see these practice squads being enlarged to form a team. and then add to it with local players. The Colts could subsidize a team, using their practice squad players and then add some players from ND , IU and Purdue to fill out the roster and build some local interest. Would people in Indy go to watch a former Purdue QB starting at QB for some developmental team? it's all about marketing.

And no, unlike minor league baseball where old players find a place to play 1-10 more years and become local heroes, due to the nature of the sport, I doubt any player would make playing developmental football a career. But relating it back to business world, playing one year could be liked to a paid internship. maybe an NFL team will notice you. and if not, it looks good on your resume to approaching a coaching job.

 

[TC4THREE]

This seems much like the old semi-pro football. We had a team in Madison Wi called the Madison Mustangs. They had a cult local following much like the Ft Wayne Mad Ants do. They were better than the majority of other teams in their league as they had a lot of former UW players. This also led to their local marketing.

A thought about this league. We all know some senior that was hoping to be drafted , but suffers a season ending injury and is forgotten. this would give him an opportunity to prove himself.

another twist/take. All NFL teams have practice squads. They are already on the team's payroll making a minimum salary. I could easily see these practice squads being enlarged to form a team. and then add to it with local players. The Colts could subsidize a team, using their practice squad players and then add some players from ND , IU and Purdue to fill out the roster and build some local interest. Would people in Indy go to watch a former Purdue QB starting at QB for some developmental team? it's all about marketing.

And no, unlike minor league baseball where old players find a place to play 1-10 more years and become local heroes, due to the nature of the sport, I doubt any player would make playing developmental football a career. But relating it back to business world, playing one year could be liked to a paid internship. maybe an NFL team will notice you. and if not, it looks good on your resume to approaching a coaching job.

I don't think you're understanding the league correctly. I believe it said that it will be available only for players for the first four years out of high school.

 

[TheBoris]

Reminds me of the hockey situation in Canada. Many of the talented young Canuck hockey players go to US colleges on scholies, and many opt to join the minor leagues and get paid. Either way, they want to end up in the NHL.

 

[Bob the Boiler]

This seems much like the old semi-pro football. We had a team in Madison Wi called the Madison Mustangs. They had a cult local following much like the Ft Wayne Mad Ants do.

I live in Fort Wayne. I have no clue what Mad Ants D-League "cult following" you are talking about. The Mad Ants always have about (4) IU duds on the team and still cannot pull 1,000 for a home game. In fact, the owner of the franchise was on local ESPN radio and said anyone that e-mailed him last week could have (4) free tickets to Saturday nights game.

The D-League is unwatchable. It is full of has-beens that go one-on-one all night to try to get 30 points and possibly get picked up for a week in the NBA.

We used to have an arena football team and those games were pretty fun. Fast paced, small field, tiny field goal width. They had a good following.

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

Seems it would almost have to be subsidized by the NFL. Personally, I think this all boils down to the QB position. Maybe the QB position is now considered so important to an NFL franchise and their contracts are now so excessively high, it is worth funding a small league to increase your hit rate on draft day. That $10M or whatever split 30 ways is nothing compared to giving a $60M contract to the next Jamarcus Russell.

Or Colin Kaepernick signing 6 yr $114 Million contract with $61 Million guaranteed.
Vince Young
Terrelle Pryor (QB...not current WR doing pretty good)
etc, etc.

Maybe NFL can setup games prior to main games sort of like JV basketball before Varsity basketball. I can see a change happening, so that coaches, play by play announcers, referees, etc all get groomed as well.

I personnally think they'd be better off buying the CFL and molding that league better than a start up "D" league. Players could transition from college to CFL to NFL without the huge risk that 1st rounders get.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

I live in Fort Wayne. I have no clue what Mad Ants D-League "cult following" you are talking about. The Mad Ants always have about (4) IU duds on the team and still cannot pull 1,000 for a home game. In fact, the owner of the franchise was on local ESPN radio and said anyone that e-mailed him last week could have (4) free tickets to Saturday nights game.

The D-League is unwatchable. It is full of has-beens that go one-on-one all night to try to get 30 points and possibly get picked up for a week in the NBA.

We used to have an arena football team and those games were pretty fun. Fast paced, small field, tiny field goal width. They had a good following.

Tin Caps and Komets are world class minor league teams though. I assume he meant that.

 

[BoilerBiker]

sounds fairly similar to the recent fxfl attempt.
not sure how any of these can truly get rolling without a significant increase in assistance/plan/etc from the nfl itself.

guys like flacco and now wentz can still get noticed in fcs, although any hidden booster (o$u like) pay there would likely not compete with a league I suppose

 

[Wolegib]

I live in Fort Wayne. I have no clue what Mad Ants D-League "cult following" you are talking about. The Mad Ants always have about (4) IU duds on the team and still cannot pull 1,000 for a home game. In fact, the owner of the franchise was on local ESPN radio and said anyone that e-mailed him last week could have (4) free tickets to Saturday nights game.

The D-League is unwatchable. It is full of has-beens that go one-on-one all night to try to get 30 points and possibly get picked up for a week in the NBA.

We used to have an arena football team and those games were pretty fun. Fast paced, small field, tiny field goal width. They had a good following.

I'm a Milwaukee Bucks fan ! and the Mad Ants had several of our 14th man play for them in the past. no, not Giannis or Jabari. 1,000 people turning out to watch those tremendous 4th string Bucks (Cough, cough ) play is a tremendous turnout. You have to either really love basketball or be totally stoned to appreciate and spend money to watch D league basketball.

 

[Wolegib]

I don't think you're understanding the league correctly. I believe it said that it will be available only for players for the first four years out of high school.

ok. I read it wrong. I thought the players had to be 4 years out of high school . So basically this league is for players who got kicked out of college, or were not able to be accepted into a college.

I can't see this league being better at developing or showcasing a person's talents over a Division 1 college football team.

 

[TheBoris]

ok. I read it wrong. I thought the players had to be 4 years out of high school . So basically this league is for players who got kicked out of college, or were not able to be accepted into a college.

I can't see this league being better at developing or showcasing a person's talents over a Division 1 college football team.

Truth of the matter is that about half of the kids playing college football do not belong anywhere near a college campus.

 

[lbodel]

Who is going to watch this and what is the market? If you are an elite player, you arent going to beat the exposure you get at Bama, OSU, USC etc.

I don't think they care about fans, TV ratings, etc.

One of their complaints outside of the systems college teams run (college football is set-up to win - not to run NFL systems to prepare kids for the NFL) is that they have limited exposure to scout. Most practices are closed, the film they receive is limited, etc.

Now, obviously NFL teams have survived for decades - so it's not like this will be some monumental change.

But I don't think they expect this to turn into a fan thing - where people follow certain teams, becomes fans, etc. The teams will also play all players, so the goal isn't even necessarily to win/lose.

 

[lbodel]

Truth of the matter is that about half of the kids playing college football do not belong anywhere near a college campus.

Are there kids that don't belong in college? Sure. Is it HALF of all kids playing college football? I don't think I'd go that far.

Would half of every team make it into the school they are playing at if they applied on their own? Not sure, but that doesn't mean they don't belong anywhere near a college campus.

 

[lbodel]

Or Colin Kaepernick signing 6 yr $114 Million contract with $61 Million guaranteed.
Vince Young
Terrelle Pryor (QB...not current WR doing pretty good)
etc, etc.

Maybe NFL can setup games prior to main games sort of like JV basketball before Varsity basketball. I can see a change happening, so that coaches, play by play announcers, referees, etc all get groomed as well.

I personnally think they'd be better off buying the CFL and molding that league better than a start up "D" league. Players could transition from college to CFL to NFL without the huge risk that 1st rounders get.

I mean here's the thing. It's not like NFL decisions are only moronic at the entry-level stage. NFL teams sign not that great players all the time for way over what they are paid. Any sort of pre-NFL system will not save them from making bad/desperate decisions.

 

[FirstDownB]

I think the point some are missing is just how difficult it is to judge how QB's in spread offenses like Lamar Jackson at Louisville will translate to a pro style offense. These guys can be boom or bust in the NFL.

In addition to players who have no desire for college, I could envision NFL teams requesting college guys like Jackson, who has reached the college football peak by his Sophomore year, but is not highly regarded as a pro prospect, to transfer into this league for a year to evaluate his adaptation to a pro style offense.

 

[TC4THREE]

I think the point some are missing is just how difficult it is to judge how QB's in spread offenses like Lamar Jackson at Louisville will translate to a pro style offense. These guys can be boom or bust in the NFL.

In addition to players who have no desire for college, I could envision NFL teams requesting college guys like Jackson, who has reached the college football peak by his Sophomore year, but is not highly regarded as a pro prospect, to transfer into this league for a year to evaluate his adaptation to a pro style offense.

I'd be shocked if a player like that would go play in that league rather than return to their school. NFL teams can request it all they want but he holds all the cards there. No reason for him to risk it. I also wouldn't be shocked if he makes more at Louisville than he would in that league.

 

[lbodel]

I'd be shocked if a player like that would go play in that league rather than return to their school. NFL teams can request it all they want but he holds all the cards there. No reason for him to risk it. I also wouldn't be shocked if he makes more at Louisville than he would in that league.

I think it will be interesting to see who does go into that type of league. It's like an IMG Academy without the school aspect (even though they say they'll have options for school - let's be honest). I just can't imagine going to play in this league for four years where you have a small chance of making the NFL and then when you don't make it, you're 22 and without a college degree.

Hate on the NCAA all you want, at least most of these guys are walking away with a degree even if they think going into it they will be going to the NFL.

 

[TC4THREE]

I think it will be interesting to see who does go into that type of league. It's like an IMG Academy without the school aspect (even though they say they'll have options for school - let's be honest). I just can't imagine going to play in this league for four years where you have a small chance of making the NFL and then when you don't make it, you're 22 and without a college degree.

Hate on the NCAA all you want, at least most of these guys are walking away with a degree even if they think going into it they will be going to the NFL.

I completely agree. I don't think we'll see many high-level players go there. I think we'll see mid-tier players who have no interest in college (let's face it, a high-level player can find somewhere to go to college without actually having to do anything but football if that's what he's seeking) and probably some kids who did go to college but got in trouble or couldn't make the grades to stay.

 

[Wolegib]

I believe it's a good start for a minor league for the NFL. However, if successful, I could see some draft day implications. If a player plays for a certain team, is he therefore that team's property? would a team draft a player just to have his rights out of high school? Would any player sign up to play for the team sponsored by the Browns? Or would the NFL. Assign the players to the teams they play for? And then going back to original question. If the player plays for a team sponsored by an NFL, does that team own his player rights? Lots of unanswered questions.

 

[Wolegib]

When it comes to colleges paying players, something that is never talked about very much is the medical care they receive. My son is a division 1 track athlete. And he has received over $100,000 in medical expenses and physical therapy all paid for by his school. Sure, it's nice to be paid to play, but sometimes the other benefits a player receives are not taken into the equation.

 

[FirstDownB]

I'd be shocked if a player like that would go play in that league rather than return to their school. NFL teams can request it all they want but he holds all the cards there. No reason for him to risk it. I also wouldn't be shocked if he makes more at Louisville than he would in that league.

Might depend on the situation, and we're probably only talking about 1 or 2 players a year. If a college coach is set on running the read option and the player believes he can make it as a pro style QB, why not get paid to audition and improve your stock. It certainly wouldn't be a good idea for guys projected in the first round, but guys who are projected as later round picks maybe?? Would make more sense if they opened it up to guys 5 years out of high school, so the non IU guys could at least graduate college first.

 

[lbodel]

I completely agree. I don't think we'll see many high-level players go there. I think we'll see mid-tier players who have no interest in college (let's face it, a high-level player can find somewhere to go to college without actually having to do anything but football if that's what he's seeking) and probably some kids who did go to college but got in trouble or couldn't make the grades to stay.

I think it could snag the people who can go to an upper-level school but maybe not start right away. And instead of going to a mid-level school, they do the NFL league.

You could also see a large number of players go from college to that league instead of transferring (and sitting out). Could lead to some rule changes in the NCAA I suppose, although I think not having a year sitting out would be bad - the 5th year rule is a bit out of control and can you imagine if it was that easy for anyone to transfer elsewhere.