Follow below for all the live updates from the Las Vegas UFL Media Day event! Updates in local time (Pacific).
This concludes our Media Day Live Blog. Thanks for following!
12:57 PST – Dave Simms said he “loved” the UFL experience.
12:50 PST – Nation reports from the event that the Tuskers appear loose, and they are laughing it up during their team picture. This is hardly surprising given their undefeated record.
12:46 PST – Jermaine Wiggins: “We know it’s going to be a war.”
12:42 PST – Brooks Bollinger reports that the Locos are a good team – oh, and that he lost some cash at Blackjack in Vegas this week.
12:27 PST – Fassel: “Nothing would have hurt me more than to see someone else playing in this game.”
12:25 PST – Jim Fassel: “The football product has been outstanding, I’m hoping to be back next yr. Can’t wait.” When asked what the Locos had to do to win, Fassel responded simply: “Score more points.” When asked about loss of Bryant, “He was a hard working guy.”
12:24 PST – DeDe Dorsey said, “We’ll have something for them Friday.”
12:17 PST – Samie Parker: “Why would I be scared of the Tuskers secondary?”
12:15 PST – It has been confirmed that J.P. Losman has had surgery on his finger, but that he will be playing Friday.
12:02 PST – Commissioner confirmed combine in February, and that signings begin in March.
12:01 PST – Pelosi: “We didn’t have any economic numbers attached to ticket sales, attendance didn’t hurt us.”
12:00 PST – All sponsors and partners will also return next season. The Sentinels owner strongly endorses the UFL concept.
12:00 PST – Locos are getting fitted for rings, and we assume the same for the Tuskers. Pelosi has indicated strong interest in Sacramento as home for Redwoods.
11:58 PST – One on ones with teams and owner remarks on the field.
11:57 PST – Paul Pelosi takes the floor. Pelosi announces that all ownership groups will be back for year two, and all teams will be local in the second season.
11:56 PST – Huyghue reveals that five potential markets have owner groups.
11:33 PST – The commissioner explains that San Francisco and New York are being re-examined as league cities. They may or may not be replaced in the future. Also, he mentions Austin and San Antonio as probable expansion teams.
11:31 PST – Huyghue turns to the subject of year one losses. He explains that losses are in line with estimates, to the tune of roughly 30 million.
11:25 PST – The commissioner announces that five expansion markets are being looked at.
11:22 PST – Huyghue reports that Brooks Bollinger of the Florida Tuskers has been offered two NFL deals already.
11:18 PST – MH: “Our broadcast quality was exceptional.” Huyghue also references that 2009 was the “beta test” season for the league. “Our owners are vital. We speak in one voice due to our ownership model.”
11:16 PST – Three owners are present. Huyghue comments: “We have to find non-nfl markets, continue to find players – including those who wish to play here exclusively… we’re similar to American Football League model.”
11:14 PST – “I guarantee a second season, kicking off in 2010,” reports the Commissioner.
11:12 PST – “This was a beta test for full launch in 2010. We were testing and tweaking,” says Huyghue.
11:10 PST – Commissioner Michael Huyghue takes the stage.
When he mentioned Austin and San Antonio, was that for next year, or just speaking long term?
lvrec, since I am not in attendance, I cannot say for sure, but based on earlier reports on LA/Hartford I would not think that has become the case for next year. However, Nation/Fran should provide clarification in their reports following the event.
(At least, I would not jump to that conclusion until further clarification.)
Let’s go Locos! I’m pumped for this game.
Wow, Sacramento is still in the running.
Its great to hear that they want to be like the old AFL!!!!
GO TUSKERS!!!!
7-0
Can’t wait for game, GO Locos !! I always felt that this league was similar to AFL, Remember they played in HS stadiums for the first few years and Titan games drew less then 1,000 , but had investors who believed in the league. Move to Sacremento, leave NYC for Long Island.