Letters to the Editor
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Is the goal of this whole thing to be bought out?
It's pure speculation, but could the long-term goal of this venture simply be to end up being bought out by the NFL? It would basically establish all the infrastructure for several more NFL teams (stadiums, training facilities, etc) and function as a trial run for which cities work and which don't. The NFL could then presumably close down the cities that weren't working. And the investors in this new league could end up owning real, genuine NFL teams, without waiting around for the incredibly slow process of adding new cities or teams changing hands as it is in the current system.
Maybe they really do want to have their own league, but I can't help but think this is just a way for some incredibly rich people to fast-track their way to actual NFL ownership.
Personally, all alternative-league history aside, I just don't think that many people have an appetite for another pro league in any major sport, especially in the TV area. Is there really any demand for another NBA, MLB, NHL, or NFL? You've got those leagues, college sports, and pro sports in other areas (tennis, soccer, golf) to fill in any gaps on the yearly calendar. It seems like any attempt to expand that would be a niche product. To that end, really liked King's question about why they're not trying to develop a sport that doesn't already have a major pro league.