As of Thursday night, UFL players did not plan to boycott either of this weekend’s regular-season games. As of Friday afternoon, the “B” word is back in play.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, players from one of the two teams scheduled to play tonight will be meeting soon to decide whether to play.
The potential boycott comes from the UFL’s refusal to allow players to join active NFL rosters after the UFL season ends, absent payment of a $150,000 transfer fee. UFL players believe they were persuaded to play in the UFL based on its potential value to their NFL careers, especially since 43 UFL players from 2009 landed in the NFL.
Though a boycott could open the players up to civil liability for lost profits and other damages, since they’d be in blatant violation of their contracts, the action would create a P.R. disaster for a league that needs skilled players to choose the UFL over the CFL or simply staying in shape and waiting for a call from the NFL.