Alternative Football Leagues

* The United Football League- UFL (NFL Competition)

The UFL's website stated that, The United Football League, a new professional outdoor fall football league, will kick-off its inaugural season in the Fall of 2009. The UFL, featuring high quality traditional football played by world-class athletes, was created to meet the unmet needs of football fans in major markets currently under served by professional football. Serving communities with pride and passion, the UFL will provide fans with affordable, innovative and entertaining game-day experiences.

This new professional football league is being organized by William Hambrecht, a Wall Street investor (former minority partner in the USFL's Oakland Invaders) and Tim Armstrong, a senior executive at Google.

Here's what the NBA's Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban had to say about the league on his blog.

So far there will be between six and eight teams that will compete in the inaugural season scheduled for September 2009. The league initially intended to place these teams in markets where the NFL had no presence.

Hartford, Connecticut
Las Vegas, Nevada
Los Angeles, California
New York, New York
Orlando, Florida
San Francisco, California

Possible expansion:
Monterrey, Mexico
Salt Lake City, Utah

The league is not in direct competition with the NFL since they will play their games on Thursday and Friday nights. This offers viewers an opportunity to experience additional top quality football. This league looks like it will attract former NFL and arena league players.



* American Indoor Football Association- AIFA (Arena Football 2 Competition)

The AIFA is a professional indoor football league that was formed in 2006 foundered by John Morris and Michael Mink. The league's talent level is comparable to a league such as Arena Football 2 which includes several former NFL practice squad players scattered across the league.

The AIFA's Mission statement is as follows. "It is the Mission of the American Indoor Football Association to provide a vision and an environment that is necessary for independently owned companies and the League's teams to become successful in the operation of an Indoor style Football Organization. The League will provide a dynamic style of play so unique and exciting that fans and communities not only enjoy, but desire the sport in any and all geographic area of the United States."

Sixteen teams participate in the AIFA, which is concentrated mostly in mid-sized markets in the eastern United States and the Rocky Mountains.

My wife and I have personally been to a few AIFA games in Fayetteville, NC. The team there is known as the Fayetteville Guard. If you're a fan of arena football then you'll love this league. Since they concentrate in smaller markets it allows more people to see professional football who might not normally get a chance to. my vote is it's worth the money. The only fear is that teams that don't get community support seem to disappear quickly which is a shame.

Being a business major, I'm excited to follow the expansion and development of both leagues. It's intriguing to see teams develop and expand. Good luck to both leagues.