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UFL makes it official in Norfolk

Last month, the UFL announced that Norfolk, Virginia had been awarded a franchise for 2011 on a conditional basis.

Now, the conditional tag has been removed.  Pro football is coming to Eastern Virginia.

“We want to be your team and want you to feel a part of it,” G.M. Doug Williams said at a media luncheon in Norfolk on Monday.  “I have seen the level of talent that is out there and eager to play in this league to prove themselves and we will bring the very best of those players to this team.  I’m so excited that if I was 35 pounds lighter I would want to be the team’s starting quarterback.”

(JaMarcus Russell wants to know why Williams thinks he would need to be 35 pounds lighter.)

It sounds as if the team’s home games won’t be played exclusively in Norfolk. 

“This is going to be Virginia’s team,” owner Jim Speros said.  “We have seven strong cities in the region that can support this team and we in turn will become fabrics of those communities.  The players will live here and we are going to create local jobs.  We are going to showcase this team around the region and make sure that the fans and community have a chance to taste the product.  It is the perfect home for the UFL.”

The UFL will have five teams in 2010, the league’s second season.  Next year, Norfolk will join the league as the sixth team.  Further expansion is possible.

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23 Responses to “UFL makes it official in Norfolk”
  1. KILLER FIN says: Jul 12, 2010 5:43 PM

    the nfl network will have to broadcast the ufl games next year cus that will be the only football on since they can’t get the CBA fixed!!!

  2. bofarr says: Jul 12, 2010 5:45 PM

    I’m sure they’ll draw well with the Vick brothers both playing for them.

  3. realitypolice says: Jul 12, 2010 5:54 PM

    The perfect landing spot for Mike Vick. Close to home- can supervise his party business and Bad Newz Kennelz II.
    If they ever let him out of PA, that is.

  4. Raiders757 says: Jul 12, 2010 5:56 PM

    I’m sure they’ll make ODU their permanent home, as it’s the newest facility in the area.

  5. Corey says: Jul 12, 2010 6:00 PM

    When does training camp start?

  6. The Hogster says: Jul 12, 2010 6:01 PM

    Great, now Virginia Tech has somewhere to send their players!

  7. virtueandvice says: Jul 12, 2010 6:07 PM

    At least Mike Vick will have a job waiting for him

  8. TheMattShuffle says: Jul 12, 2010 6:13 PM

    FLORIO YOU IDIOT NORFOLK IS PART OF HAMPTON ROADS 7 CITIES BORDERING EACH OTHER. ALL GAMES WILL BE PLAYED IN ONE STADIUM BUT HE IS TRYING TO INDUCE BUSINESSES AND FANS FROM ALL SEVEN CITIES TO SHOW INTEREST AND INVEST.

  9. OJ SIMPSON says: Jul 12, 2010 6:13 PM

    The Norfolk Lynchmobbers has an appropriate ring to it

  10. Ratpee says: Jul 12, 2010 6:14 PM

    Norfolk Pit Bulls………..
    Starter —————Michael Vick…..

  11. robert ethen says: Jul 12, 2010 6:39 PM

    They’ll be playing at county fairs, civic events, and birthday parties throughout the area. Book early.

  12. bigrig says: Jul 12, 2010 6:45 PM

    And just when you thought Michael would never be a starting QB again.
    Now starting at quarterback for your Virginia Slims, Michaeeeeeeeeeel Viiiiiiiiiiiiiiick.
    Minor league football, minor league state, minor league player.
    If the shoe fits, you can’t acquit.

  13. PurpleRaid12 says: Jul 12, 2010 6:50 PM

    As a VA resident, and Minnesota Vikings fan… I’m glad to hear this. I’m getting tired of just having to watch the dismal (no relation, although striking resemblance) Richmond Raiders of the Arena Football League. I might be able to see a slightly better football team.

  14. granadafan says: Jul 12, 2010 7:10 PM

    Nice JaWalrus blast in the article, Florio!

  15. BleedingSilverAndBlack says: Jul 12, 2010 7:28 PM

    I love how Florio just has to mention something that pertained to the Raiders in some way.

  16. theravenlives2 says: Jul 12, 2010 7:40 PM

    I used to live in the Tidewater area til 1979 when I moved to Baltimore. I think the area could be a good match for the UFL. I’m just worried about whether the league will be around or not. The problem with the area is that its so transient because of all the military, and they may have trouble building a fan base cause everyone is from someplace else.
    Speros is a decent guy and he talks a good game. I was a season ticketholder for the Baltimore Stallions of the CFL before the Ravens arrived, and those games were a blast. Just be wary, cause he had a habit of not paying his bills.
    Good luck…I hope it works out!

  17. poonhok says: Jul 12, 2010 8:40 PM

    Delicious irony alert for the moron lamenting the “lynch mob” while using the alias “OJ Simpson”…..

  18. Tuxedo38 says: Jul 12, 2010 9:01 PM

    PurpleRaid12 says:
    July 12, 2010 6:50 PM
    As a VA resident, and Minnesota Vikings fan… I’m glad to hear this. I’m getting tired of just having to watch the dismal (no relation, although striking resemblance) Richmond Raiders of the Arena Football League. I might be able to see a slightly better football team.
    That isn’t an AFL team, it’s an indoor football team.

  19. PurpleRaid12 says: Jul 12, 2010 10:14 PM

    “That isn’t an AFL team, it’s an indoor football team.”
    ___________________________________________________
    Innocent mistake, it’s the AIFA – you’re correct. But nevertheless it’s all I got, so I’m glad to see another football team in the area.

  20. PurpleNGold says: Jul 13, 2010 1:36 AM

    jamarca the hut

  21. Jones says: Jul 13, 2010 4:29 AM

    Florio some of your stuff is pretty weak. I mean you should’ve picked up the Vick connection instead of going with the Jamarcus blast.

  22. tombrookshire says: Jul 13, 2010 6:54 AM

    I’ve got the perfect nickname too, The Norfolk Thugs, in honor of all the wonderful athletes that began their storied careers in such a lovely area of the country.

  23. Halasfan says: Jul 13, 2010 11:33 AM

    This might be cool. It should be a lot cheaper to drive to Norfolk and watch a loosing team vs. driving to Charlotte to watch a loosing team.
    I am a Bears fan living on the East Coast so I miss a bunch of the games I care about. Can’t wait to get my tickets to see the Bears come to town in October.

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