Pro football league targets Grand Rapids

Pro football league targets Grand Rapids

The San Diego-based United States Football League, or USFL, is a developmental pro football league raising funds to launch eight teams. Photo via google.com

A startup professional football league is eyeing Grand Rapids.

The United States Football League in San Diego, or USFL, said today that it is in the midst of its second phase of fundraising as the league seeks about $5 million to support the placement of teams in eight markets with strong foundations.

"Second chance" at pro football

Instead of existing as a direct competitor to the National Football League as the original USFL did, this incarnation, which is unrelated to the original USFL, would play a developmental role.

Five of the USFL’s board members have NFL experience, and the NFL is aware of the USFL's efforts.

No official affiliations have been set up, but USFL President and CEO Jim Bailey didn’t rule out a deal in the future.

“We fully plan on being self-sufficient,” Bailey said.

The developmental aspect would allow players who are cut from NFL team training camps to have another shot with the USFL. Bailey added that if a player were signed to an NFL team from a USFL team, they could go right away.

“Our whole focus is to give guys a second chance,” Bailey said.

"Football havens"

The USFL plans for the eight teams to be placed in the largest U.S. markets without an NFL or Major League Baseball franchise, Bailey said.

“If you took a list of those qualities, you’d end up with a similar list as us, and Grand Rapids falls into that list,” Bailey said, adding the geographic position of Grand Rapids makes it an ideal fit as well.

A strong high school football, college football and minor league culture are among the attractive attributes of the region.

“The type of cities we are interested in are those with a strong sense of community, a deep appreciation of sports and a forward-thinking business atmosphere,” Bailey said. “We believe markets such as Salt Lake City, Tulsa or Grand Rapids can develop into football havens, much like Green Bay or Canton.”

Investment partners

Bailey said the investment the USFL is seeking isn’t team ownership but a partnership. They also don’t want to commit to a market before ensuring it’s a long-lasting relationship.

The league is planning to operate as a single-owned entity, with local management.

Bailey said the money raised could persuade a team to enter a certain market. Further research into markets will be conducted once the second phase of fundraising is complete.

“If we get the right partner who says the team has to be in city X, that’s very persuasive,” Bailey said. “We would like partners with community connections. Right now, the research is all on paper.”

Getting league "in order"

Bailey noted several leagues have started and failed in the past, primarily because they acted as direct competitors to the NFL or because they launched before being fully ready.

He said the USFL will not schedule an opening kickoff date until it’s fully financed and supported.

“We’re in a catch-22. We don’t want to over hype,” Bailey said. “But we also have to make ourselves known.

“We won’t kick off until things are in order.”