Nation86
02-10-2009, 07:44 PM
The upcoming season will be a kind of soft launch for the league, with the goal of adding more teams for the 2010 season.
“With the confirmation of four teams and the announcement of an infusion of a $30 million investment to operate the league, the UFL is excited to bring affordable, accessible football to under served markets this October,” said UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue, a Windsor native. “The UFL Premiere season will allow us to set the foundation within the cities we feel would be a good fit, demonstrate the terrific talent of the coaches and players at our high level of competition, and integrate innovation into all aspects of the league so we are ready for expansion in 2010.”
The league was founded by investor Bill Hambrecht and recently brought on investors including Paul Pelosi, president of FLS, Inc. and husband of House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Northland AEG, which manages the XL Center and Rentschler Field, was involved with talks to own a franchise in the summer, but with the deteriorating economy, the UFL will own a stake in all the teams at the outset.
According to UFL spokesperson Rachel Gary, the league has not yet established a schedule, and the number of games Rentschler Field is yet to be determined. Charles Steedman, general manger of the XL Center and Rentschler Field for Northland AEG, did not return a message left at his office Monday.
With the UFL looking to expand for the 2010 season, it’s possible that Hartford will have its own dedicated franchise. The UFL will train and house its players in Casa Grande, Ariz., where a $20 million training complex is being constructed for both city and league use.
More at the link: http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2009/02/10/sports/doc4991a63fccd6b329467159.txt
“With the confirmation of four teams and the announcement of an infusion of a $30 million investment to operate the league, the UFL is excited to bring affordable, accessible football to under served markets this October,” said UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue, a Windsor native. “The UFL Premiere season will allow us to set the foundation within the cities we feel would be a good fit, demonstrate the terrific talent of the coaches and players at our high level of competition, and integrate innovation into all aspects of the league so we are ready for expansion in 2010.”
The league was founded by investor Bill Hambrecht and recently brought on investors including Paul Pelosi, president of FLS, Inc. and husband of House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Northland AEG, which manages the XL Center and Rentschler Field, was involved with talks to own a franchise in the summer, but with the deteriorating economy, the UFL will own a stake in all the teams at the outset.
According to UFL spokesperson Rachel Gary, the league has not yet established a schedule, and the number of games Rentschler Field is yet to be determined. Charles Steedman, general manger of the XL Center and Rentschler Field for Northland AEG, did not return a message left at his office Monday.
With the UFL looking to expand for the 2010 season, it’s possible that Hartford will have its own dedicated franchise. The UFL will train and house its players in Casa Grande, Ariz., where a $20 million training complex is being constructed for both city and league use.
More at the link: http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2009/02/10/sports/doc4991a63fccd6b329467159.txt