Nation86
03-13-2009, 10:54 AM
SAN FRANCISCO – The United Football League won't attempt to topple the NFL. But the new league would love to settle in San Francisco if the 49ers build a stadium in Santa Clara.
"The Niners have made it clear that they want to be in San Jose, elsewhere," said Paul Pelosi, owner of the UFL's San Francisco franchise. "So we might end up – will probably end up – being the only team up here."
Pelosi spoke Wednesday at a news conference to introduce the head coaches of the four inaugural UFL franchises. Three of them are former NFL head coaches: Dennis Green, who will coach the San Francisco franchise; Jim Haslett, who will coach the Orlando team; and Jim Fassel, who will coach the Las Vegas franchise.
The fourth coach, Ted Cottrell, is a longtime defensive assistant who interviewed for the 49ers' head-coaching opening in 2003. Cottrell will coach the New York franchise.
An abbreviated first season will begin Oct. 8 and will culminate in a championship game on Thanksgiving. The league plans to play its games on Thursdays and Fridays.
The San Francisco franchise will play two home games at AT&T Park with a third planned for Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said. Details of the Sacramento game have yet to be determined, but Huyghue said he has been encouraged by discussions with the university and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.
In fact, Huyghue said the San Francisco franchise ultimately might wind up in Sacramento.
"I don't want to say that we're playing the two cities against each other, but time will tell how the markets do," he said.
A lot will hinge on where the 49ers play their home games. The team says its first choice for a new stadium remains Santa Clara. However, team owner Jed York met recently with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. A stadium at Hunters Point in San Francisco or a refurbished Candlestick Park also are options.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1692576.html
Barrows has been very receptive about the UFL and has done a good job with his coverage.
"The Niners have made it clear that they want to be in San Jose, elsewhere," said Paul Pelosi, owner of the UFL's San Francisco franchise. "So we might end up – will probably end up – being the only team up here."
Pelosi spoke Wednesday at a news conference to introduce the head coaches of the four inaugural UFL franchises. Three of them are former NFL head coaches: Dennis Green, who will coach the San Francisco franchise; Jim Haslett, who will coach the Orlando team; and Jim Fassel, who will coach the Las Vegas franchise.
The fourth coach, Ted Cottrell, is a longtime defensive assistant who interviewed for the 49ers' head-coaching opening in 2003. Cottrell will coach the New York franchise.
An abbreviated first season will begin Oct. 8 and will culminate in a championship game on Thanksgiving. The league plans to play its games on Thursdays and Fridays.
The San Francisco franchise will play two home games at AT&T Park with a third planned for Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium, UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said. Details of the Sacramento game have yet to be determined, but Huyghue said he has been encouraged by discussions with the university and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.
In fact, Huyghue said the San Francisco franchise ultimately might wind up in Sacramento.
"I don't want to say that we're playing the two cities against each other, but time will tell how the markets do," he said.
A lot will hinge on where the 49ers play their home games. The team says its first choice for a new stadium remains Santa Clara. However, team owner Jed York met recently with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. A stadium at Hunters Point in San Francisco or a refurbished Candlestick Park also are options.
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1692576.html
Barrows has been very receptive about the UFL and has done a good job with his coverage.