A Brief History of Start-up Pro Football Leagues Part Two:

United States Football League (1983-1985)

David Dixon a New Orleans antiques dealer came up with a plan for a spring and summer football league. Attempting to repeat past failures of other leagues the plan called for a salary cap, strict vetting for owners including posting $1.3 million lines of credit for emergencies, and requirements that each team would play in an NFL sized stadium. Unfortunately, the owners didn’t follow the Dixon Plan.

They exceeded the $1.8 million salary cap, had problems securing large enough stadiums and once again didn’t take a close enough look at several of the owners finances. In 1986 the USFL sued the NFL claiming it was a monopoly and sought $567 million in damages. These would have tripled to $1.7 billion since it was an antitrust case. Instead the USFL was awarded $1 in damages then tripled to $3. At that point the league was at $160 million in debt. Jim Kelly, Steve Young, Reggie White and Gary Zimmerman were players in this league that went on to be inducted to the NFL Hall of Fame.

NFL Europe (1991-2007)

This league lasted several years due to backing from the NFL in an attempt to introduce pro football to Europe. Commissioner Roger Goodall folded the league since it was losing around $30 million a season despite max salaries of $18,500 for quarterbacks and $13,500 for all other positions. Several NFL quarterbacks had their start in this league. Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme, Brad Johnson, and the Seahawks Jon Kitna.

XFL (2001)

Vince McMahon of “professional” wrestling tag-teamed with NBC. This league tried to distinguish itself from the NFL by by allowing players to have nicknames on the backs of their jerseys and encouraged end zone celebrations. In the wake of the NFL changing tackling rules to protect players the XFL instead billed itself as a hard hitting league. The result was bad football with soap opera like coverage. It lasted one season.

United Football League (2009-2012)

Founded by Wall Street Billionaire, Bill Hambrecht the UFL was to have eight teams starting in 2008. However, the UFL would never have more than five teams and didn’t start until the 2009 season. It lost between $120-$150 million over four years and never had a revenue generating television contract.

Fall Experimental Football League (2014-2015)

Experiment was a good name for this league. It had four teams in its first year and three second season. Wanting to be a developmental league for the NFL without getting the NFL’s support proved to be the FEFL’s undoing. It was never profitable and closed before its second season was complete.

Alliance of American Football (2019)

Once again financing problems ended a league before it could really begin. This league lasted only eight weeks. So desperate for players they attempted to get the NFL Players Association permission to use young players in the AAF. They were denied and on April 17 th 2019 the AAF filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy.

XFL (2020-?)

Vince McMahon is back again for the 2020 version of the XFL. The league has eight teams and has focused on first securing high talent quarterbacks. The season will start following the NFL’s Super Bowl. The intent initially is to draft players cut by NFL teams. As it now stands the XFL is nowhere close to being able to compete with the NFL financially so I wouldn’t expect this league to be stealing top college talent from the NFL. Apparently quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, Tim Tebow, and Johnny Manziel were brought up to XFL CEO Oliver Luck in a recent Sports Illustrated Issue. Colin Kaepernick wanted $20 million a year to play which is more than the XFL is willing to pay, Tim Tebow is still focusing on his baseball career and Johnny Manziel is not likely to be welcome in the XFL with all of his off field issues.