Earlier this year, it seemed likely that the UFL was done. Now that a new season has begun, it’s death seems to be virtually certain.
Players and coaches aren’t getting paid, as explained by the Virginian-Pilot. Said UFL president and Virginia Destroyers owner Bill Mayer: “We understand our obligation as it relates to compensating players within the week following our games and it is our intention to honor that obligation.”
The problem, as pointed out by agent David Canter, is that Week Two games are approaching, and players still haven’t been paid for Week One.
“Just was told that players will play in UFL games this week but if payment isn’t in their hands by Monday all coaches and players will walk out,” Canter wrote on Twitter earlier on Wednesday.
The Virginian-Pilot also has details regarding the league’s unlikely TV deal with CBS Sports Network. As expected, CBS is paying nothing for the rights to televise the games. As not expected, the UFL must pay all production costs (roughly $150,000) up front, before each game.
So CBS is getting paid its money to televise games for which the players don’t get paid until some point after the games are played, if at all.
Basically, it’s a joke and an embarrassment. And it’s time for the UFL to go away.
In our mind, it already has. We won’t be mentioning the UFL again until the time comes to officially pronounce it dead.
So, basically, we may be mentioning the UFL again next week.