AAFL in Lincoln in 2008 or '09?

R

RaisedHusker

Four-Star Recruit
First, you need to understand how the AAFL works (from Steven Sipple, JournalStar):

More important, “I’ve been thinking about it for 20 years,” says Marcus Katz, a 59-year-old San Diego millionaire who is providing initial funding. “There has been tremendous interest.”
In the AAFL, games will be played in college stadiums in April through the Fourth of July. Rosters will consist of former college players who did not make NFL teams, and they must have their undergraduate degrees. Players will be allocated to teams as close as possible to their alma maters. They will wear school colors.

I’m guessing Nebraska could draw at least 30,000 fans per game, assuming it is quality football.

Katz is betting on fans’ emotional attachment to their schools. He’s throwing big money into the pot. Player salaries reportedly will be $75,000-$100,000. He says each team would have a $1.5 million budget for coaches. He says he’ll pay universities “the equivalent of about $500,000 a game” to rent their stadiums.

At any rate, Katz has received signed letters of intent from Iowa, Purdue, North Carolina State, Florida State, Florida and Tennessee. He says the first season will feature no fewer than six teams and as many as eight. Pederson will be watching all the while, and perhaps he’ll have a big decision to make before the spring of 2009.
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Now, I did not get it at first until I saw this short quote:

No wonder a prominent ex-Husker coach called me this week wondering how to reach Katz.
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Last Friday, I saw what might be a great combination for Nebraska. At my restaurant where I work, Tom Osborne came in to eat. One of my friends waited on him. He was alone at the time (usually he comes in with his daughter). I peeked out the service area and noticed that he was writing down some notes a legal pad. Then, while I was delivering food to a table close by, out of no where comes Turner Gill. I hear Tom say, "hello, Turner". At the time, I did not think anything about it. I just thought, WOW, Turner Gill from the 'Scoring Explosion'.

But today, I saw Sipple's article and the last quote that I have shown you. I called the friend that waited on them today. I asked her if Tom wrote notes while they talked and she said yes. I am curious why Turner Gill was in town to meet Osborne. Why would Tom write notes and Turner did not? Was he interviewing as a possible coach? After their hour or so lunch, they talked outside for almost an hour.

Speculation: Osborne wants to own a AAFL team and probably wants Turner Gill to be the coach.Why else would Sipple say this qoute:

No wonder a prominent ex-Husker coach called me this week wondering how to reach Katz.
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So let get one thing straight. It could be speculation at this point and I accept that. However, I think that this is something that can bring Osborne back into the spotlight in '08 or '09. The teams will use the colors of the college teams that they rent stadiums from and most players will be from those college teams.

This is why a Nebraska AAFL team could work.

Here is the rest of the story

You can make your own assessment and I know you will. But for now, its fun to dream!!

:corndance :corndance :corndance

 
No wonder a prominent ex-Husker coach called me this week wondering how to reach Katz.
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If he said that...well, let's see. Frankie? Nah. Devaney? I don't think so...

Although he didn't necessarily mean head coach. If he did, then well, that narrows it down.... :)

 
zoogies said:
If he said that...well, let's see. Frankie? Nah. Devaney? I don't think so...

Although he didn't necessarily mean head coach. If he did, then well, that narrows it down.... :)
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Here is the fun thing about the quote. PROMINENT COACH!!

Frankie Solich NO WAY

Devaney DEAD

McBride TOO OLD

The one thing we have in this situation is that we can eliminate coaches easily!!!

:hellloooo :hellloooo

 
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Chris Patrick is available as a lineman. I bet Eric Crouch would be a great QB for our team!!

And how many players would want $75,000-$100,000 per year to play football in Memorial Stadium for 4-5 months. If they can not make it in the NFL, they can make it here.

I like this AAFL. It works the college fan base in a professional way.

The only problem is that they go from bowl game to new season in a short time. BUT, the NFL Europe has done it. And now, players do not have to move to Europe to make it happen.

 
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Here is the question of the year:

What is the best way to eliminate the summer blues with NO football???

Have spring/summer games in Memorial Stadium!!!

If you b!^@h about no action during this time (which I do), this is the ONLY solution.

 
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RaisedHusker said:
Here is the question of the year:

What is the best way to eliminate the summer blues with NO football???

Have spring/summer games in Memorial Stadium!!!

If you b!^@h about no action during this time (which I do), this is the ONLY solution.
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Totally agree, I'm not much for other sports so year round football sounds great to me

 
I think the first thing that the "hopeful" new owners of the team needs to do is find out if it would have the following to support the team. I don't think there will be any problem with that as long as they are winning. I would think that we would have a much larger following than Iowa and Purdue would.

 
gamecocks said:
I think the first thing that the "hopeful" new owners of the team needs to do is find out if it would have the following to support the team. I don't think there will be any problem with that as long as they are winning. I would think that we would have a much larger following than Iowa and Purdue would.
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You have missed the key of the AAFL. Home college team players and home colors. It is an extension of the season. I hate the NFL for players who don't play because of possible injury. I love the college game because the play for the fans. BTW, Florida, Florida State, and Tennessee have signed agreements.

 
Sounds like it would work at the right schools. I don't know what kind of following Purdue and Iowa have, but the rest of the schools that have signed up have great followings. You just know it would work in Lincoln also. Have to start changing my trips back home itinerary. :lol:

GBR!!!

 
gamecocks said:
I think the first thing that the "hopeful" new owners of the team needs to do is find out if it would have the following to support the team. I don't think there will be any problem with that as long as they are winning. I would think that we would have a much larger following than Iowa and Purdue would.
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I talked to someone in the Athletic Department about something else and he said a previous Chancellor had shown interest in the new league. He said it would be mostly a group of people owning the teams if it moved forward.

He thought it might work because the teams will be community teams.

 
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Hunter94 said:
i don't think this will really fly. arena football has never taken off either.
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Hello Hunter!! Arena Football has been around for over 10 years. ESPN is showing games and their playoff games. I think you are in denial.

 
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