The United Football League has quickly learned that they can't compete with the massive audiences of the NFL, so they're working out a new strategy in 2011 that will hopefully generate a larger UFL fan base.
The league announced on Wednesday that they will be starting their 2011 season in early August (one month earlier than previous seasons) as to avoid a clash with the NFL crowds. The UFL also announced they will be extending their season by two games, as each team will play 10 – instead of eight – games in 2011.
"The intent is to begin play before the National Football League season begins, and to start incorporating Sundays into our football schedule," UFL commissioner Michael Huyghue said. "As the NFL preseason kicks in, most of their games are on Friday and Saturday, but their games at that time don't count, and our games do.
"From a fan's standpoint, you're going to see a more competitive football game on Sundays during the NFL preseason in our games, than you would in the National Football League."
The 2011 opening games will kick off on Aug. 5, and will lead into a 12-week season which includes a bye week for each team and the final championship game at the end of the year.
The UFL continues to expand across the country as the newest team, the Virginia Destroyers, will join the five current teams in the 2011 season. UFL executives are already searching for a seventh and eighth football-friendly market to develop additional teams in the near future.
According to Huyghue, bumping the UFL season up one month is just another way for football fans to get a jump-start on their Sunday afternoon enjoyment.
"I think we understand that the NFL's there, it will always be king of the hill," Huyghue said. "I think we can carve our own niche as well. Sundays during the preseason, when the NFL typically doesn't play is a perfect opportunity."
