When no news exists in Presidential politics the time period is referenced as “silly season” – right now, the UFL is in that mode as we have to read the tea leaves until the next announcement. In an interview with the Delaware County Times United Football League Commissioner Michael Huyghue referenced “Long Island” as a location for the New York team – a slip of the tongue perhaps.

That said – the big speculation in the article was that Philadelphia could be an expansion possibility for 2010. Read below for more:

The United Football League has an expansion eye on the Philadelphia area, and for good reason. With Eagles tickets at a premium, it’s an underserved market to which the UFL would like to cater.

UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue is well aware of the soccer stadium being built in Chester, one that could have fall dates open for football. He believes the area is fertile ground for expansion.

“I think the reality is there’s a shortage of opportunity for fans in a number of those suburbs and markets outside the Philly area, just like there is in the Long Island area of New York,” Huyghue said.

“So as we look at expansion, no question those are the type of markets we look at – very strong, knowledgeable fans who can embrace it and are thirsting for more professional football.”

If the four-team league is the hit its founders project, expansion should arrive next year. The October-November UFL schedule, with Thursday and Friday games, won’t interfere with the NFL.

Source: http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2009/04/12/sports/doc49e156a453887761576134.txt

It seems likely that the reporter was more than likely trying to find out if a UFL team could happen near them and Huyghue was agreeing – BUT it could be more than that. It is obvious that the UFL is not going to be afraid to go into NFL markets where opportunity exists.

IE – Long Island or New York City proper whereas the NFL teams are in New Jersey. The New York NFL teams have over 100,000 people on their season ticket waiting lists so that makes sense. Then you have San Francisco where the 49′ers play outside of downtown San Fran and could be moving to Santa Clara in the very near future.

This seems wise from a television contract perspective as they are cherry picking high impact media areas where stadiums and opportunity exists. It remains to be seen if this is a wise strategy but it is a bold one for the United Football League.