Clarity;854742; said:
I've always felt the NFL might be able to create a viable "minor/development league", bringing NFL-style football to cities that otherwise would never have a team, and a system by which teams could develop and/or retain the rights to players they sign or draft, but don't make their primary roster. This wouldn't be something that competes with the NFL, just supplements it. Obviously contracts and salaries would be much smaller, but I think it could be pretty compelling regionally as you'd be still be seeing very talented players out there going all out trying to "make the show."
But a competing league, creating by someone outside of the NFL? Can't see it happening.
My problem with a minor league system for football players is that I think it could potentially hurt college football. Currently, the NFL uses college football as a free minor league system. Of course, it doesn't work the same way that baseball's does - the players don't belong to one NFL team or another based on which college team they play for. But it is basically a free system for the NFL to scout their potential players.
If they start a traditional minor league system, financially supported by the NFL, I could see them being somewhat successful for a couple of years, and then starting to fall apart when the novelty wears off. The fans, I believe, wouldn't care much. As soon as one of their players starts to succeed, he's called up. And they aren't going to get any of the college stars, as they're going to go straight to the NFL. Soon, the NFL will have to decide whether to keep the minor league system or to try to get the high school players, by getting rid of their 3 years out of high school rule. How would you like to have Chris Wells straight out of high school, playing for your minor league team? I'm sure he's going to enjoy the minimum salary for a minor league player for 2-4 years, before he's developed into an NFL player.
I think that a big reason that very few people care about college baseball is because many high school players can easily go into pro baseball, and earn their living in the minor leagues before they're ready for MLB.
But, to get back on topic, more football is good. You can't compete with the NFL, though. Don't even try. Bring back something like the XFL, though. It sucked compared to the NFL, but it was hella cool compared to whistling in the dark.
