We've gotten our mitts on a copy of the memorandum containing information regarding the manner in which the UFL will be paying its players.
The memo confirms that, indeed, the base pay will be $35,000.
But not for kickers, punters, and long snappers. Per the memo, they'll be paid at a base rate of only $25,000.
The sole exception will be the league's four starting quarterbacks. Though there's no stated limit regarding their pay, each UFL teams is permitted to pay its starting quarterback an amount more than $35,000.
Players who land on injured reserve will receive 50 percent of their prorated base pay for the remainder of the year.
Each team will be permitted to bring 60 players to training camp in September. The number reduces to 50 for the regular season. Teams are permitted to dress 45 players on game day, along with a third quarterback.
Although Jason La Canfora of NFL.com has reported that up to $15,000 might be available in additional compensation based on playing-time incentives, the memo does not mention any specific amounts. Instead, the memo explains that the UFL "may establish" a discretionary Player Performance Pool, which will be aimed at rewarding the top-performing players on each team.
"The formula has not been finalized," the memo states, "and may be based on such factors as playtime, starts, and other performance thresholds and will be distributed solely at the League's discretion after the end of the regular season and Championship Game."
Also, the active members of the active/inactive roster of the team that wins the UFL championship will receive an extra $5,000, and the members of the active/inactive roster of the second-place team will be paid an extra $2,500.
Finally, and as UFL spokesperson Rachel Gary told us earlier today, lodging will be provided during the regular season and postseason. Players from the New York and Orlando franchises will live in villas at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, and players from the Las Vegas and San Francisco franchises will reside in apartments in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Housing for the two teams in the championship game will be provided in Las Vegas, the site of the league's inaugural title tilt.
And the things that happen in Vegas and stay in Vegas could include a portion of the players' money; the memo states that any and all damage to the housing units will be deducted from the responsible players' paychecks.
More Details On UFL Pay Scale
Posted by Mike Florio on July 1, 2009 5:01 PM ET
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Have you seen the hotel room in The Hangover? Great Vegas movie!!
I thought you were going to imply that maybe the memories of the championship game might stay in Vegas too. Or the league itself, if it has the same success as the XFL....
What kind of a network broadcast deal, if any, does the UFL have in the works? Has this been reported on yet?
Seems like that would be a significant source of league revenue which in turn would account for a significant portion of player salary. With base salaries like that, maybe it's OLN.
And let me just add, I'd be very interested in seeing these games. Much more so than that XFL garbage.
Ah, google machine tells me the network partner is Versus.
So games will be sandwiched between tractor pulls and drag races. And, of course, NHL games.
http://www.ufl-football.com/press/2009/03/09/ufl_announces_games_to_be_televised_live_on_versus
With what their getting paid, these guys will be "making it rain" with a bag of nickels at the title game
Wow, $35,000 a year. Brooks Bollinger already makes that working at Arby's.
Wow if you get injured, you get HALF of what's left of your 35K!!!
I'ld gladly risk permentant paralysis for that.
Cheers, BostonTym
How does this compare to CFL and XFL for pay? Doesn't the practice squad for the NFL make more than this?
Is that $35,000 per year or per game?
How does this compare to CFL and XFL for pay?
Apologies. I don't have the XFL info in front of me.
As to the CFL, if you are an import, who just rolled off the bus, you can expect to make around the same amount of money over an 18 game season. But you're on your own for housing, transport, and taxes, teams are prevented from subsidizing those deals under the salary cap.
Get some experience under your belt, however, and you can make a bit more as an import. To the surprise of no one, Linebacker Jamal Johnson was cut by the Bucs, and is a free agent. As such he'll probably return to either Calgary or BC with a deal in the 90-100l range. JoJuan Armour may end up in BC, also starting/playing more of a rover position for around $80k.
Starting quarterbacks in the CFL, all of whom are imports, can make anywhere from $180 - close to $400k Canadian per year. But again, there's the tax issue.
Non imports (Canadians, or players who played CIS ball) do start a bit higher up the pay scale if they are starters, as non imports good enough to start are relatively rare, and league rules mandated a certain number of them.
In many cases, be it the UFL or the CFL, being a practice squad guy at $80k per year is for the most part preferable than either. The problem is, if you're on the practice squad, your employment is tenuous at best, and you aren't earning credit toward the NFL pension (you have to either play or be injured to do so).
And that topic, players trying to get into the pension plan, is one I wish Mike would explore in depth at some point. It isn't one that gets discussed much but it's a big reason guys who are quite good in the CFL leave to play in the NFL, (Kyries Hebert of the Cincinnati Bengals, for example can earn a pension if he makes the Bengals this season) and the reason there is a dearth of young coaching in the CFL.
35k a year...... Im guessing the U in UFL stands for Ugly...or Underpaid... or Underachieving.... or U have as much talent as these guys and just are not looking to take a pay cut even if it means you do get to play ball again. This things gonna die like disco just remember U heard it here first.
Thanks for the info Cromartie. I also did some digging and found out that the UFL and XFL pay seemed to be about the same.