USFL

[Jamier-Host]

I know it has been recommended a few times on here before, but only recently started watching the ESPN 30for30 videos.

Saw the USFL one last night and really enjoyed it - never even knew this had been tried, although to be fair I was a toddler when it happened.

I guess a few of you will remember this properly from the time.  Do you think it would have been a success if it had carried on in the Spring?

[Longy]

USFL was the early 80's rival to the NFL right? (I know i could google this)

I think it has been shown through sports history there is only room for one dominant form of a modern game. See Australia's attempt to have 2 rival rugby league competition, there just isn't the money to go around and it leaves the general public apathetic about the whole sport.

[Jamier-Host]

Yeah that's the one, although the theory was it would run during the NFL off season (and did for a coupla years) and so not be in direct competition.  Although obv players wouldn't be able to take part in both.

Marketed itself as the "fun" league where they tried to make the games more exciting by encouraging attacking play and crazy score celebrations etc.  Seemed to draw some decent crowds and was enough cash flying about to bag some big names who ended up being huge in NFL later on.  Documentary suggests Donald Trump screwed it all up by trying to switch the dates and go head to head with NFL.