League on last legs without better TV deal, new investors

With the United Football League's decision to push back the start of its 2011 season from Aug. 13 to mid-September, the league's long-term viability was called into question Tuesday as commissioner Michael Huyghue tried to explain the UFL's dire financial situation.

"I think ultimately we're going to need a partner if we're to survive," Huyghue said. "It's a revenue problem. We need to generate a better television deal. We need to bring in new investors. Our owners have said this will be the last year they go it alone."

The UFL has lost more than $100 million in its first two years of operation, and it still owes $6 million to various vendors for services provided. The league had considered suspending operations as late as last month, but decided to proceed with its third season.

However, with the NFL on the verge of reaching a new collective bargaining agreement, Huyghue said he is prepared to meet with NFL officials and try to broker a deal to keep the UFL alive as a developmental league.

"It's a natural fit," Huyghue said of a UFL-NFL partnership. "We've proven we have a good product, and we'd be amenable to playing in the spring or the fall."

Meanwhile, the UFL struggles to stay afloat financially. The continued lack of a major TV deal and new money issues, namely a $9 million workers' compensation tab that must be paid to legally function, forced the league to buy some time by delaying its season opener a month.

"We thought we'd experience a windfall from the NFL lockout situation," Huyghue said. "We thought it would help attract new business opportunities and new television opportunities. That didn't happen. Also, there remains some financial items, some big-ticket items that we were unable to resolve fast enough.

''In addition, there are some potential partners at the door who we want to continue to court,'' he said. ''When you put all of it together, we decided this was the best way to proceed."

The UFL's five teams will play an eight-game schedule over 10 weeks, with the new starting date set for the weekend of Sept. 16-18.

The revised schedule is expected to be released in a couple of weeks. The league has budgeted $50 million to play the 2011 season.

Locomotives president and coach Jim Fassel said the decision to delay the start of the season was the most logical one.

"We could have forced things and gone forward, but would that have been the smartest move?" Fassel said. "This way, we can regroup, get our house in order and give it our best shot.

"Maybe we get a better TV deal. Maybe we get some new investors. Had we stayed with the original schedule, that had no chance of happening."

The Locos, who were to open the season Aug. 20 at Sacramento, conducted meetings with their players for the past week and were scheduled to hold their first practice on Monday, but it was called off.

The league has permitted its players to leave their teams. But Fassel said half of the Locos' 70-man roster decided to remain in Las Vegas until training camp reopens in mid-August.

Quarterback Chase Clement will be among those staying in town.

"I think it's all going to get squared away," Clement said. "When they tell us to report, we'll be ready to play. Having an extra month to heal up any little nicks and bruises sure helps."

Fassel said the week that his team spent together despite being unable to practice was huge.

"I'm glad we did what we did," he said. "We got a lot out of this. Everyone passed their physicals. We've been in meetings together, and everyone's familiar with the playbook. It was like having a minicamp without worrying about someone getting hurt."

Season-ticket holders can receive a full refund for any tickets they wish to return. Existing tickets will be honored for corresponding revised home games.

"I think the announcement might cause some fans to wait until they actually see us play before buying tickets," Fassel said. "But I think those who have already committed to us will stick with us."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.