ADVERTISEMENT

Summer pro football development league to be formed

C

Class of 67

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2007
11,773
1,072
1
https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...d296534b31e_story.html?utm_term=.a69b2075604d

I believe this is a good thing. I have always been in favor of an alternative for kids who want to play football, not go to school. Diverting these athletes from campuses will gradually return meaning to "student athletes." My prediction is the league has a better than 50-50 chance to grow and be successful. Furthermore, If successful, I predict that the NFL will purchase the league. Too optimistic?
 
  • Like
Reactions: nits74, Gitzit, Ranger Dan and 1 other person
Class of 67 said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...d296534b31e_story.html?utm_term=.a69b2075604d

I believe this is a good thing. I have always been in favor of an alternative for kids who want to play football, not go to school. Diverting these athletes from campuses will gradually return meaning to "student athletes." My prediction is the league has a better than 50-50 chance to grow and be successful. Furthermore, If successful, I predict that the NFL will purchase the league. Too optimistic?
Click to expand...

Why would the NFL want to pay for what they get for free right now?
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdgan, 91Joe95, lionroar88 and 1 other person
Class of 67 said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...d296534b31e_story.html?utm_term=.a69b2075604d

I believe this is a good thing. I have always been in favor of an alternative for kids who want to play football, not go to school. Diverting these athletes from campuses will gradually return meaning to "student athletes." My prediction is the league has a better than 50-50 chance to grow and be successful. Furthermore, If successful, I predict that the NFL will purchase the league. Too optimistic?
Click to expand...

The NFL may purchase the league only to put it out of business.

There have been many developmental leagues over the years and all have gone under.

LdN
 
  • Like
Reactions: 91Joe95 and FHSPSU67
Works for me. An option is available to trade to get $150000 and go try the NFL.

You get to pay rent with your $50k per year and buy food to cook. And when done, since it is unlikely you went to class st the community college, you'd better hope your odds of being an NFL player is dramatically increased by this league.

The current model. You get "paid" approximately $50k per year. You give it back as a means to pay rent, get food made for you , and pay professors to teach you something. When done, your odds of making the NFL may be less than the other league, but you likely have something you didn't have coming out of the other system.

A degree.

But I guess that, and the corresponding increase in lifetime salary, isn't worth it.

I am, however, all for the idea of this league. I just think some have a very skewed vision of what the word opportunity really means.
 
It will be interesting to see the impact this has. I can see some kids after two years wanting to skip college and get paid to prepare for the NFL.....or some 5 stars that would skip all together. Financially, some kids may opt for this short term vs. the four year degree due to their family situations. Which programs, if any, do you think this might impact the most? For example, could you see a kid like Barkley leaving after this year to get ready for the NFL and get paid? Would a team like OSU or Alabama lose more players than most?
 
Back in the '80's I knew some guys that played for the Chambersburg Cardinals, which was "semi-pro" back then and consisted of guys that were out of college that were not likely ever to be in the NFL. Would be far more interesting to see this league and leagues like it retooled as an NFL developmental league.
 
LionDeNittany said:
The NFL may purchase the league only to put it out of business.

There have been many developmental leagues over the years and all have gone under.

LdN
Click to expand...
They always fail because the school and the tradition is a draw not the players. No one is going to spend thousands on minor league football even if the talent level is higher.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdgan
MarkPSU said:
It will be interesting to see the impact this has. I can see some kids after two years wanting to skip college and get paid to prepare for the NFL.....or some 5 stars that would skip all together. Financially, some kids may opt for this short term vs. the four year degree due to their family situations. Which programs, if any, do you think this might impact the most? For example, could you see a kid like Barkley leaving after this year to get ready for the NFL and get paid? Would a team like OSU or Alabama lose more players than most?
Click to expand...
The problem is that most likely it not going to pay much because they are going to draw little tv audience or crowds. Guys like Barkley would be better off taking in college then taking the 30-50k they will be able to play in the league.
 
MarkPSU said:
It will be interesting to see the impact this has. I can see some kids after two years wanting to skip college and get paid to prepare for the NFL.....or some 5 stars that would skip all together.
Click to expand...
It'll be interesting for sure but since it's a summer league it wouldn't be advantageous for a kid to leave college after two years. The NFL would still have their three year rule in place so if a kid left school after his true sophomore season he wouldn't be drafted the following spring anyway. He'd then play a handful of games in the summer and sit around for about eight months waiting for when he is draft eligible. Unless the kid was immensely talented, that's a long time to sit around and hope NFL teams remember your name. I think the league makes more sense (as others noted) for kids who feel unjustly buried in the depth chart, kids who were expelled from school, kids who never wanted to go to college in the first place, etc. It would be a showcase for those who no longer have the opportunity to be noticed on a college football field.

I'd also be interested in the salary structure. The article notes the average salaries would be around 50,000. If it's a true developmental league they shouldn't be throwing larger contracts to skill players then turn around and pay peanuts to others. When it comes to young player development, linemen often need it most.
 
PSU_Nut said:
They always fail because the school and the tradition is a draw not the players. No one is going to spend thousands on minor league football even if the talent level is higher.
Click to expand...
Works for baseball.

2015 Attendance

Triple-A
International League
6,961,610 tickets sold by 14 teams for 976 games

Pacific Coast League
7,230,514 tickets sold by 16 teams for 1,111 games



Double-A
Eastern League
3,760,165 tickets sold by 12 teams for 821 games


Southern League
2,364,879 tickets sold by 10 teams for 656 games



Texas League
2,792,526 tickets sold by 8 teams for 539 games


Class A
California League
1,551,040 tickets sold by 10 teams for 692 games



Carolina League
1,946,768 tickets sold by 8 teams for 526 games



Florida State League
1,172,695 tickets sold by 12 teams for 776 games




Midwest League
4,233,904 tickets sold by 16 teams for 1,079 games



South Atlantic League
3,053,433 tickets sold by 14 teams for 926 games


Short Season/Rookie
Appalachian League
347,451 tickets sold by 10 teams for 319 games




New York-Penn League
1,590,750 tickets sold by 14 teams for 510 games

Northwest League
1,051,265 tickets sold by 8 teams for 302 games



error.png
 
PSU_Nut said:
They always fail because the school and the tradition is a draw not the players. No one is going to spend thousands on minor league football even if the talent level is higher.
Click to expand...
Exactly. 18 of the World Series runners-up Indians were on the roster of the Columbus Clippers AAA team over the past couple of years (who have won a couple recent AAA championships). Tickets average about $10 in a 10K stadium. They've been known to give away free playoff tickets too. That says it all--and I enjoy the Clippers. Good baseball. But I'm not paying big bucks to see them either.

The only reason college football gets the big bucks is due to alums who love their schools and others who love the traditions and rivalries.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PSU_Nut and ThePennsyOracle
I am all for anything that weeds out kids who have no intention of attending classes!
 
The current system will not change significantly until schools stop admitting kids who have no business being in college. IMO, there is no interest at the school level to stop it and the NFL is not going to finance another option.
 
Class of 67 said:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...d296534b31e_story.html?utm_term=.a69b2075604d

I believe this is a good thing. I have always been in favor of an alternative for kids who want to play football, not go to school. Diverting these athletes from campuses will gradually return meaning to "student athletes." My prediction is the league has a better than 50-50 chance to grow and be successful. Furthermore, If successful, I predict that the NFL will purchase the league. Too optimistic?
Click to expand...
Please name the student/athletes on Penn State's football team who are examples of "kids who want to play football, not go to school."
 
Here is my favorite comment below the linked story:

HaleSkeptic
10:50 AM EST

In an environment of increasing concern about CTE, a new opportunity for head banging is being considered. Beautiful.

LikeReplyShare
 
EPC FAN said:
How would that be accomplished?
Click to expand...

I think everyone is well aware that there are some kids (Ohio State and Alabama clearly have some every year) who only enroll so that they can showcase their football skills for a few years in hopes of making the leap to the NFL. They have no intention of earning a degree, and if they can go play in a "Development League", they will choose that instead of going through the hassle/ruse of pretending to be a "student athlete" for those few years, and they playing field can be leveled. Hopefully the NFL gets on board with this, and/or the 3 year rule is deemed illegal, and the NCAA can get back to its roots! I find the current system to be shitty, but to each their own.
 
mgkpsu said:
I think everyone is well aware that there are some kids (Ohio State and Alabama clearly have some every year) who only enroll so that they can showcase their football skills for a few years in hopes of making the leap to the NFL. They have no intention of earning a degree, and if they can go play in a "Development League", they will choose that instead of going through the hassle/ruse of pretending to be a "student athlete" for those few years, and they playing field can be leveled. Hopefully the NFL gets on board with this, and/or the 3 year rule is deemed illegal, and the NCAA can get back to its roots! I find the current system to be shitty, but to each their own.
Click to expand...
Can you tell me the names of the players ,at either Ohio State or Alabama, who are there only for football?
 
mgkpsu said:
I think everyone is well aware that there are some kids (Ohio State and Alabama clearly have some every year) who only enroll so that they can showcase their football skills for a few years in hopes of making the leap to the NFL. They have no intention of earning a degree, and if they can go play in a "Development League", they will choose that instead of going through the hassle/ruse of pretending to be a "student athlete" for those few years, and they playing field can be leveled. Hopefully the NFL gets on board with this, and/or the 3 year rule is deemed illegal, and the NCAA can get back to its roots! I find the current system to be shitty, but to each their own.
Click to expand...
3 yr rule was collectively bargained between players union and the league.
Nobody wants it to go away, not the league, not the players- more money for the vets. Besides I m pretty sure Mo Clarett has already challenged this and lost in court
 
$50k average salary. In California. Plus taxes. Food. Rent. Will the league pay medical insurance?

In the end, it's not much better than the D-league since the D-League pays for housing, medical insurance and a per diem.
 
dwiz said:
Why would the NFL want to pay for what they get for free right now?
Click to expand...
because they can can dictate how the players develop, they can dictate practice times, they can create the schedule. If, and a big if, they threw enough money at it just to "insure" their future product is stocked with a better breed o flesh..oops I mean player then why wouldnt they?

by the way as an edit to this post..its not like the NCAA goes away, I'm sure the NFL would still like some college developed talent and maybe even some college developed mental talent as well.
 
Last edited:
WDLion said:
Works for baseball.

2015 Attendance

Triple-A
International League
6,961,610 tickets sold by 14 teams for 976 games

Pacific Coast League
7,230,514 tickets sold by 16 teams for 1,111 games



Double-A
Eastern League
3,760,165 tickets sold by 12 teams for 821 games


Southern League
2,364,879 tickets sold by 10 teams for 656 games



Texas League
2,792,526 tickets sold by 8 teams for 539 games


Class A
California League
1,551,040 tickets sold by 10 teams for 692 games



Carolina League
1,946,768 tickets sold by 8 teams for 526 games



Florida State League
1,172,695 tickets sold by 12 teams for 776 games




Midwest League
4,233,904 tickets sold by 16 teams for 1,079 games



South Atlantic League
3,053,433 tickets sold by 14 teams for 926 games


Short Season/Rookie
Appalachian League
347,451 tickets sold by 10 teams for 319 games




New York-Penn League
1,590,750 tickets sold by 14 teams for 510 games

Northwest League
1,051,265 tickets sold by 8 teams for 302 games



error.png
Click to expand...

You do realize how little those attendance numbers are? Just to put it in perspective the B1G had 6,534,801 in just 99 home games. The major difference is the ticket prices. Those leagues might draw millions but tickets are a fraction of the cost. You also will not find ESPN paying the pacific league $20 million a team to televise the games. You also won't find people donating millions annual to those minor league teams. The only reason some minor league ball players are making good money is MLB subsidizing their salaries. If you don't have a MLB contract your making peanuts. In addition those teams are not carrying 60+ man roster like you will find in football.
 
I assume it would work for a kid such as a "Shady Mccoy". He made it very clear he had NO interest in school just wanted to play football. So, in theory, it will work. As a practical matter we will see. I for one hope it does work. There are far to many kids that are NOT college. NOT their fault, it's the system.
 
Big question for many kids with NFL dreams & Div IAA bodies ... will this league test for PEDs?

I think that's what this is really all about. 3 years of packing on muscle, mass, speed without anyone careing in the least how its done
 
EPC FAN said:
Ok, name them at other schools.
Click to expand...

How many of the kids - the day they start their "college" careers - have their sights set on "getting to the NFL", over and above "getting a degree"?

90% of their rosters?

Or, is that too low an estimate?

:)

And the scenario wouldn't be that much different at any "traditional power" football school



As to the OP:
That doesn't mean they (the kids) will see this "new league" as a reasonable alternative......as some "better route to the NFL".
From that article - which, obviously, doesn't have all the details - I think the concept is rather laughable
I doubt if the "new league" will attract much more than flies
 
The nfl never should have ditched Europe. We could be back to almost watching amateur student-athletes by now had they stuck with it, and used it like the D league.
 
WDLion said:
Works for baseball.

2015 Attendance

Triple-A
International League
6,961,610 tickets sold by 14 teams for 976 games

Pacific Coast League
7,230,514 tickets sold by 16 teams for 1,111 games



Double-A
Eastern League
3,760,165 tickets sold by 12 teams for 821 games


Southern League
2,364,879 tickets sold by 10 teams for 656 games



Texas League
2,792,526 tickets sold by 8 teams for 539 games


Class A
California League
1,551,040 tickets sold by 10 teams for 692 games



Carolina League
1,946,768 tickets sold by 8 teams for 526 games



Florida State League
1,172,695 tickets sold by 12 teams for 776 games




Midwest League
4,233,904 tickets sold by 16 teams for 1,079 games



South Atlantic League
3,053,433 tickets sold by 14 teams for 926 games


Short Season/Rookie
Appalachian League
347,451 tickets sold by 10 teams for 319 games




New York-Penn League
1,590,750 tickets sold by 14 teams for 510 games

Northwest League
1,051,265 tickets sold by 8 teams for 302 games



error.png
Click to expand...
Did you purposely ignore the comment about tradition? Minor league baseball has been around for 120 years. College was not developing major league ball players back then and no poor kid from the country was even considering it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MtNittany
psu_et_vt said:
Did you purposely ignore the comment about tradition? Minor league baseball has been around for 120 years. College was not developing major league ball players back then and no poor kid from the country was even considering it.
Click to expand...
You just described my Dad.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Roar More

FC: Numerous Football Game Day Improvements to be Unveiled at Beaver Stadium

Replies
49
Views
5K
Penn State Football
kgilbert78
kgilbert78
B

For my friends on the left wondering why everything they were told and believed RE Covid turned out to be wrong....

Replies
84
Views
11K
Current Events Board
interrobang
I
J

Blue Tribe vs Red Tribe

Replies
12
Views
3K
Current Events Board
bourbon n blues
B
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back