THE FINAL WEEK - Week 10 Preview w/ Picks | UFL Podcast #106

One week remains in the UFL season, time to regroup with The UFL Podcast

The REF & Zach are looking at the recent ratings spike, Relocation/Expansion Rumors... and of course, they're previewing each game of week 10, with picks

SummerStock Shirt: https://bit.ly/3YKHUqa
Discord: https://discord.gg/QjewyBV
Vintage Varsity: vintagevarsity901.com
USFL Merch: https://bit.ly/3OsOLwh
UFL Podcast Merch: https://usfl-podcast.creator-spring.com/

#UFL #USFL #XFL

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Moroyle Day creates some great ratings for the UFL's got
some excellent stuff to talk about on some wonderful viewership numbers,
plus some very fascinating football conversation on the interwebs to
this week. It's all on episode one oh six of
the UFO Podcast. It starts right now, long till three.

(00:41):
Welcome back everybody to the UFL Podcast. I am Zach
Kylemon hosting this week and boil Boy. We are glad
to have you in for what should be a fun
episode of the show with some fascinating stuff to talk about.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
More related to as we're recording today, so we'll.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Definitely dive in and kind of have some thoughts on
these bits and knobs and nooks and crannies, what.

Speaker 2 (01:02):
The hell you want to call it.

Speaker 1 (01:03):
But before I get into that, let me dive over
to the other side of the screen or in your ears,
the you know, part of the microphone setup. It is
the ref himself, my friend joining me on Victory Thursday
as we are releasing it or victory whatever you want
to call it. Look at him riding high, beating the
number one team in the league by many of our metrics.

Speaker 2 (01:24):
It's good stuff.

Speaker 3 (01:25):
Ain't it is anyone surprised? Is anyone surprised? And not
to mention perfect week, Zachi boy, not one win, not two,
not three, four wins in.

Speaker 2 (01:36):
My pick'em, Zaki boy, that's coming off. And just so
everyone knows, Wow.

Speaker 3 (01:41):
I'm from I'm polar to polar because the week before
zero and four. Don't call it a comeback, just call it.
I'm I'm getting lucky. I don't know what it is.
And you know what helped is I changed my pick
last week on the show. Originally I was gonna pick
the Panthers, and you know what I said, Oh no, no,

(02:01):
Birmingham's gonna win, Houston's gonna be the enforcers of justice
and all is.

Speaker 2 (02:07):
Right in the world. And now we head into week.

Speaker 3 (02:09):
Ten, Houston has a chance to go five hundred, which
at this point.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
I'll take it. I'll take it. I'll take five hundred.

Speaker 1 (02:16):
Yeah, I mean, hey, you know what props to you
getting the dub? I know it's Uh, I.

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Will be that DC guy and say yes.

Speaker 1 (02:23):
Kathyat bac de Leo did start second half, but it
was a competitive second half. Had to fight for every
two inch nail at that game, and uh, yeah, come
out with a dub and looking closer to possibly finishing
five hundred. Just got to get through my squad for
some brownie, for some REP points, not to get swept again,
my friend.

Speaker 3 (02:42):
That's the only thing. So we'll see if that. I
think your team has to get through mine. But anyway,
we'll get to that at the end.

Speaker 2 (02:48):
Of the episode. It's Home Games, last home gave of
the year.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
I'm expecting twelve K in attendance by the way he's crossed,
but we'll find out. But yeah, good Memorial Day weekend,
And honestly, while we're kicking things off, gonna be some
great discussion on how this game played into what was
arguably and from the statistico to last two, the best
weekend of rating so far for the league this year, which, honestly,
for a year that's been it's nice to see a

(03:12):
bit of a sweet spot coming towards the end of
the year. We'll talk a little bit more on that,
but first, really quick, got some of our things to
walk through here before we dive into the episode fully.
First things first, if you haven't subscribed to the channel,
what are you doing?

Speaker 2 (03:24):
Click that button below.

Speaker 1 (03:25):
We're doing some excellent shows right now and we are
not stopping this train anytime soon. Click the subscribe button,
click the bell. It bills morale not only for you,
but for us two here at PFN and the rest
of the ATU crew as well. You also get to
subscribe and get notifications from We go live on ATU
six pm Eastern every Monday during the season and off seasons.

(03:45):
Plenty of shows too, and you don't miss an episode
of this amazing show of the UFO podcast What Are
You Doing? Make sure you subscribe. Also, by the way,
help out the show code room. Code USFL Newsroom on
Royal retros dot com gets you ten percent off your
per purchase at Royal Retros, the place to find your
spring football affair and an official third party merchant of

(04:07):
the UFL and af one. You don't want to miss
out of getting some official league gear from Royal Retros.
Great stuff, great items that they've made for years. Check
them out and save a little bit and help us
at the show. And finally, the road to summer stock
for we're kicking things off. It's coming over the horizon.
We're gonna talk a little bit more about it today
as well. But we are under two weeks away from

(04:30):
hitting the road, hitting the ground running. Actually, when the
show drop on drops, it's yeah, it's gonna be less
than two weeks away.

Speaker 2 (04:37):
It's kind of crazy. It's sneaking up on us really fast.
It is fast.

Speaker 1 (04:40):
The plans are coming together, the setup impeccable, the decisions
we'll have with the editing remarkable.

Speaker 2 (04:48):
It's gonna be a wonderful time. I'm looking forward to it,
Zachy boy.

Speaker 3 (04:52):
I'm looking forward to all sorts of stops and little
trinkets that will find along the way.

Speaker 2 (04:57):
And we're gonna record this thing. We're gonna put it.

Speaker 3 (05:00):
It is gonna be a feat that I hope everybody
tunes into again.

Speaker 2 (05:05):
This is why you need to click the bell of
builds morell lets you know.

Speaker 3 (05:08):
When we go live it, lets you know when new
episodes drop, It'll let you know when Summer Stock the
Road to the UFL Championship kicks off.

Speaker 2 (05:16):
And I mean, you're not gonna want to miss it.

Speaker 3 (05:18):
It's gonna be something completely different. And if you like
just old timey stuff, tell your grandpa, tell your papa,
tell whoever you want, because we're doing it, we're trying it,
and we're gonna be having some fun on the road,
which I can just imagine all the stuff.

Speaker 2 (05:33):
That we're going to just talk about.

Speaker 3 (05:34):
Well, we're I mean, we had twelve fourteen, fifteen hours
on the car, so we got plenty of time to
talk about stuff. I don't even know how long Summerstock's
gonna be. It could be a two hour event, it
could be, could be it may be more. No, we'll see,
we will see. So no, I'm looking forward. I can't
believe it is two weeks away. I was just realizing,

(05:55):
So I'm a dummy. I'm a dim dummy. The Switches
out a week a week from now. I was thinking, Okay,
it's out on the fifth. For some reason, I was
thinking it was out on Friday and the fifth going
into midnight Friday, the sixth at release. No, it releases
June fifth, Yeah, which means Wednesday night going into Thursday.

(06:18):
So I had that epiphany earlier, so we record on Wednesday.

Speaker 2 (06:21):
So I was like, oh my god, it's a week away.

Speaker 3 (06:24):
It's a week away from I'm gonna be playing some
Switch too, and we'll have that switch too on the
road trip as well, so we can play some Mario Kart.
I don't know if there's gonna be any other games
that are worth a damn for the release day.

Speaker 2 (06:37):
But I know Mario Kart will be good.

Speaker 3 (06:39):
Uh so, and the good news is it works with
all the old peripherals, so I have I have plenty
of controllers.

Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (06:46):
Well, I was gonna say, if you're already gonna have it,
I want to. I want to check that out. So
oh yeah, yeah, we're gonna we'll definitely be give me
a little bit of foot to see who wins, maybe
a mini tournament or something.

Speaker 2 (06:57):
I'm stoked for that. Uh And just I don't know,
you and I have talked about the camera mounts. I
want to spoil the whole surprises. It is great. It's great.
We got more stuff. I gotta get acquired before we
get in. It's gonna be good. I'm excited for it.
Uh you know what I have. You know what I was.

Speaker 1 (07:12):
Excited for this weekend, by the way, and I know
you're you've been enjoying it too. More on the weekend,
very very good, good time of year, get together friends
and family. I got to go home to back home
in Indiana, spend a little time that way. I know
your folks are out and about right now over in
Texas with you enjoying some time on and before I
get into my stuff, how was your What.

Speaker 2 (07:33):
Did you do this weekend? But you w into the game?
I didn't go to the game. No, they were debating
on that. Well.

Speaker 3 (07:39):
I wanted to, but I couldn't drag I couldn't drag
them out in that heat that I just couldn't do it.

Speaker 2 (07:46):
It was it was hot. It was and we're talking
like really hot that weekend.

Speaker 3 (07:51):
It's unfortunate because I got to miss the last home
game of the year.

Speaker 2 (07:54):
Uh.

Speaker 3 (07:55):
I know there's people freaking out that the Roughnecks are relocating.

Speaker 2 (07:58):
They're not doing it.

Speaker 3 (07:59):
I'm telling you, the rough Decks are playing here next year.
Mark my words, Mark Rough's words. Okay, Russ will be
here next week. Now, I will say I have I
have a couple of calls next week to reaffirm my
my stance on that. But I still stand true that
the rough Decks are going to be playing in Houston
next year.

Speaker 2 (08:20):
And you're after that.

Speaker 3 (08:20):
I don't flip a note, but next year for sure, well,
I mean they're taking they're taking my.

Speaker 2 (08:25):
Money for seeds of tickets.

Speaker 1 (08:26):
To be to be Frank, I mean, look, you're you're
wanting to make sure that you are going to be around.
And I know there's a lot of talk right now
on you know, the end of the year and kind
of what's the league's moves into the off season, because
there's been some new rumors swirling recently and whatnot about
you know, we've been hearing Tom Brady stuff pop up again.

(08:47):
We've been hearing about locations here and there and whatnot,
you know, And I get it, I get it, you know,
and I would like to see, you know, and I
hope you get a chance and we continue to see
them commit to a marketer get better with this market
if they can, but you know, it is that time
of year, and you know, they hopefully.

Speaker 2 (09:05):
Want to keep growing.

Speaker 1 (09:06):
Honestly, I think, you know what I was going to
dump jump into a different discussion.

Speaker 2 (09:09):
Let's do this because we're already diving in. Why not because.

Speaker 1 (09:12):
Today we were we're on the We're on X and
going around and doing our business and whatnot, and it's
pretty normal day on you know, UFL, Twitter and whatnot
and football toweare and all of a sudden, you know,
Garage Beer, which Garage Beer is a company that is
owned by the Kelsey brothers. They are a more They're
more of a startup beer company. They kind of like

(09:33):
fit that like barstool bro crowd type or college bro
crowd types, where it's like laid back.

Speaker 2 (09:40):
They announced that they are.

Speaker 1 (09:43):
Acquiring ownership an a professional football organization. Didn't specify, which
wasn't a joke article. I double checked this. This is
a real thing they're getting into, and they didn't specify.
They said we will announce it a later date where
this is. And it got the entire football community, especially
the UFL community up and it's oh my god, Clumbus
has been a rumor for so long now and this

(10:05):
was the perfect time to start a big speculation zone
on the future of the UFL and where and what
it's going to be. And we'll hear more about this,
I think is this off season goes on because it's
a crucial year and they keep talking expansion.

Speaker 2 (10:18):
But this one got everyone.

Speaker 1 (10:19):
At tizzy because if you look up Garage Beer, their
headquarters is Columbus, Ohio. If any of you been following
the scene, and I'll let you kick off of this.
Steffan Columbus keeps on being.

Speaker 2 (10:30):
Dragged up is this is a name to watch out for.

Speaker 1 (10:33):
This is a market that they should be keeping an
eye on, and it's it's fascinating that this is coming
up right now.

Speaker 2 (10:38):
Now. I understand.

Speaker 1 (10:39):
I don't believe it's that from what I can tell.
The UFL, yeah, that I can tell. But I'm who's
to say things will change?

Speaker 2 (10:47):
You know?

Speaker 1 (10:48):
Some people tell me things they do and then it
changes on a time because they want to keep it
to the coast of the vest. But I digress. You know,
now I will play the Space company with two celebrity owners.

Speaker 3 (10:58):
So I'll say this, it's it's not I don't think
it's the UFL. Could it be maybe maybe things change,
Maybe there's conversations that happened behind the scenes, maybe this
and that, blah blah blah whatever.

Speaker 2 (11:11):
I don't think it's the UFL.

Speaker 3 (11:13):
I think and quite frankly, I think the UFL when
they're looking at ownership groups. Although there's there are some
sports figures tied behind the brand, I think they're gonna want.

Speaker 2 (11:23):
I don't know.

Speaker 3 (11:23):
So with something like a garage beer, it's almost like
a shell, not a How do I say this without
offending somebody, there's.

Speaker 2 (11:31):
What you're doing.

Speaker 1 (11:32):
You're saying it's the corporate entity, but it doesn't immediately represent.

Speaker 3 (11:35):
Yeah, exactly exactly, thank you, thank you, thank you, because
that's what I was trying to say, because what I
was about to say was not what I meant to say,
and it would have sound worse anyway. I don't think
that's the case. Now I will go out and say this.
I would love to see them partner with something like
af one because similar we've seen hul Cogan and the

(11:57):
Real American Beer sponsor af one. I think there's rumors,
or maybe it's hopeful rumors. Maybe it's just people hoping
we see Hulk Hogan and Real American Beer kind of
buy into the AF one.

Speaker 2 (12:11):
I would love to see something like Garage Beer. I
don't know if they're targeting af One or even Arena.

Speaker 3 (12:16):
Football at all, but if I were to be the
guy to say where they fit, that seems to be
where they would fit for me. Right again, you kind
of have the beer tie in and then honestly think
about this, Zachi boy, hold on, hold on, anybody in
the f one if you're listening, get this on paper too.
Get Hulk Hogan a company, a top company, a team

(12:39):
of company Real American Beer Orlando or whatever, right versus
Colombia Colombian Columbus Garage Beer.

Speaker 2 (12:48):
Had to head Battle of the Beers.

Speaker 3 (12:50):
Dude, you have an automatic like built in rivalry beer
versus beer football teams. It sells itself anyway. But I
don't think it's the UFL. That's my long way of
If you put my hopium on it, it's f fun.

Speaker 2 (13:06):
I like a F one. I don't know anyway.

Speaker 1 (13:09):
I like the new phrase hopium. You should keep that
in your back pocket. I don't think I heard that
one before. I've read copium. Copium is a pretty normally
Hopium is a new element. You should so hold that
onto that type. That's a very good football element.

Speaker 2 (13:22):
I'm a rough Dex fan.

Speaker 3 (13:24):
I'm well, I'm well aware of hopium. I have, I
have a lot of it.

Speaker 2 (13:30):
I love it.

Speaker 1 (13:32):
Hope you Hopium's a new element out this way and
uh yeah, you know, look this is something I'm I've thought.
Like my initial reaction was thinking, like, you know, yeah,
interesting football team. But like here's the thing when you
don't specify the football team, and trust me, it's not NFL.
I know, I know that some people immediately went to
the NFL angle because there are die hard fans of

(13:53):
this brand and in the comments, you're like, oh, is
it one of the Ohio teams? It's like no, because
in the NFL now you can on a minority stake
that is that's new as if I believe last season,
and they know that is not They've already said that's
not what it is. So that defaults you to any
other alternative league that's in our space at that point.
And the more I thought about it, I'm like, it

(14:14):
does take a lot. I would imagine you're putting millions
upon millions into trying to get a UFL team, is
what I would assume they want to sell this for.
You're not selling for pennies on the dollar like indoor
an arena teams. You can sell for like a Crisp
million or two and get in really easy, or buy
a good stake in there for like a million less
investment if you're doing it with the group. So you know,

(14:35):
that's where I agree with you. I think it's I
think it's something along that line. Question is which one,
because like, yeah, I think AF one is definitely up
that alley. I think a lot of people feel like
the IFL because if it's Columbus base, the Columbus wild
Dogs are a team, and I don't get in my
little lore here with this.

Speaker 2 (14:51):
They were a team.

Speaker 1 (14:52):
They're supposed to exist five years ago and they've been
sidelined ever since to be in Columbus, Ohio. And people
are like, oh, maybe maybe it's that, maybe they bought
into that and it's working, you know, or I don't know,
but I think that space more fits. We'll see. They've
been pretty tight to the vest. Some people in our
discord thinking the description have been trying to be a
little cheeky and trying to see if they all spill

(15:12):
the beans from the social admin. And the social admin's
playing a pretty good defense game right now, so I
gotta give bravo to him. But you know, it opens
up more of a conversation besides that, like what what
do we think the future of the league looks like
next year? There's a lot of talk now, we've seen
a lot of the attendance figures between and I don't
mean to bring it up because we've talked about this,

(15:34):
and you kind of hit it between Houston's the Memphis
is of the world.

Speaker 2 (15:37):
You know the Uh.

Speaker 1 (15:39):
I'll also bring bring up you know, I think up
until last week Birmingham was kind of fighting some allegations
as well. They should never be, but I mean, to
be frank, that was something that was coming up to
and I think a lot of people are questioning, you know,
what is the solution because.

Speaker 2 (15:53):
It's still a young league.

Speaker 1 (15:54):
But clearly we see moves in the background, these trademarks,
so these four usflu old school trade marks, the Invaders,
the Generals coming back, the Stars coming back, you know,
and I think it brings the question, you know, what
is the future do they commit to that expansion talk
that not only the league hinted that, but David Ditman
affirmatively said was happening.

Speaker 2 (16:17):
I don't think it's happening next year. Uh if all,
maybe it does. Maybe it does. There's plenty of time
for it to happen next year, of.

Speaker 3 (16:23):
Course, but I think for the fact that we have
season tickets on sale. In the season ticket package, they're
talking about ten week season one, you know, two week playoff,
you know, one one week and one championship. Right to me,
that kind of tells me, I don't think we're going
to see expansion next year. But I do think if
we get into what would that be season four of
the UFL, I think that's when we start seeing some

(16:46):
more teams, and then we start expanding beyond that, and
that's where as we look at the tom Brady's of
the world, if they're going to buy in. I think
that stuff maybe does get announced before next season, but
it's not included in next season.

Speaker 2 (16:59):
It'll almost be a.

Speaker 3 (17:00):
Way to get people hyped up about next season. And
as I've talked about in the past, anytime you can
talk about the future, it creates a little bit of
legitimacy for the league. For anybody that's worried that this
thing's gonna go away. Well, now we're already talking about
season three of the league, plus potential or maybe confirmed
expansion for season, you know, the next season of the league,

(17:22):
season four. Now we're already looking ahead of time, and
maybe you get into a season five, season six, so
on and so forth. It'll be interesting. But I don't
think we're gonna see any changes next year. I think
we see the eight teams as we have them this
year the same next year. I think there's gonna be
effort put in to maybe turn some things around and

(17:44):
then maybe maybe at the end of next season you reevaluate.
Now I'll point to again and this is on me.
I gotta get on the phone with this guy. But
we have a we have a new ticket rep in Houston,
local to Houston.

Speaker 1 (17:59):
That's huge, that's a big We've heard this recently too,
that there's a little bit more focused on some hirings
with guys that are from those markets. So, uh yeah,
I'm fascinated to see what your combos like because you're
getting talk.

Speaker 2 (18:10):
With a guy that knows the city and I think,
in theory should.

Speaker 1 (18:14):
Better know the population and what they're looking for and
kind of listening to their needs and demands.

Speaker 3 (18:18):
Right well, we're seeing this beyond Houston as well, So
we have Houston now Birmingham, which we talked about. Up
until last week, things were looking at a little soft
in Birmingham and that's I mean that you could. I
agree with everybody that's in the comments right now. Scheduling
impacts a lot of that.

Speaker 2 (18:39):
Right while there's day in the morning, come on now
get one.

Speaker 1 (18:42):
One was a failure in multiple regards that one isolated game.
I'm hundred we got it. I am full stance on
the him and I are the first ones that will
say it was a failure in that regard. We know
that market can come out, but the league has been
needed to do better and I think that was a
good move too. Again, they hired a local person there
as well, from the Barons, mind you, so and if

(19:04):
you Birmingham guys that are there, well, if you like
how the Barons have operated or any personnel from there,
I think you might get a little bit of flavor
from that.

Speaker 2 (19:12):
So keep that in mind. But so so James.

Speaker 3 (19:16):
Actually, as we're recording this, James put out his article
about Tom Brady for his potential interest, so we could
dive into this a little bit.

Speaker 2 (19:25):
More than maybe we anticipated.

Speaker 3 (19:28):
And so I don't know if we brought this up
as we were talking about this, but you know, just
to kind of piggyback off of some of the reports
about to Tom Brady being interested in the league, it
looks like he's pretty interested in getting a team in Oakland.
And you know, it kind of makes sense right because
now he's he's part of the Raiders ownership group.

Speaker 2 (19:49):
You have that Oakland team.

Speaker 3 (19:50):
Which we saw earlier this year with not even the
major the MLS it was another soccer league in the
Uni States.

Speaker 2 (20:00):
What they get like thirty k in that stadium? Right, Yes,
I'm going to double check. I'm free shure.

Speaker 1 (20:06):
It's the USL you're talking about, which, like, which is
the league? Yeah, Oakland Roots s C. Which Yeah, they
they played a game out there, showed out And I
think that's what the lean is. And I'll let you
keep going after this. Is that Oakland keeps being brought
up to because on the positive side, it's an abandoned
sports market. The NBA left for San Francisco, the NFL

(20:29):
left for Las Vegas when nothing came to fruition. The
questions are are you gonna play in the Oakland Coliseum
because it.

Speaker 2 (20:38):
Is getting old?

Speaker 1 (20:39):
But it is on the flip side, an NFL ready
football ready stadium that has hosted in the past.

Speaker 3 (20:47):
So I mean, if it gets you in, if it
gets you in the door cheap, and it will Zach,
it might be free. They might pay them to put
a damn team in that city. At this point, that
city needs something. They've lost. There's no major sports in
that city anymore. If I recall, right, I mean it's
a USL. The a's left for are leaving for Vegas.

(21:07):
They're currently playing in Sacramento. So I mean, you're the
I guess, did the Warriors play well?

Speaker 1 (21:12):
The Warriors in the Bay. But here's the thing with
the Bay. You know, they the original Oracle was in Oakland,
so they moved it to San Francisco proper from what
I understand, So it is a Bay team. Oakland is
the Bay, but it's not like it's the way I
best have equated this. It's almost like talking about burrows
in New York City, like Manhattan's New York. But like

(21:33):
I've talked with someone this past weekend, funny enough from
New Jersey who talked with New Yorkers and like, well,
Manhattan's New York. But like if you bring up Long
Island as New York, well someone might get into a
fight with you over that because that's not to them,
not truly New York. So like that's where it gets,
like there's the Bay, but there's San Francisco, and Oakland's
a different part of the Bay. So it's like San Jose.
It's a really wide area. You know, the Bay is

(21:53):
very vast, so it's very flavorous. Like Oakland was a
pride thing, like it's still kind of there, but it's not.
It's not Okland's thing anymore, you know what I mean.

Speaker 2 (22:01):
Oakland's a pretty decent size city too. Yeah.

Speaker 3 (22:04):
Well, and you potentially create a situation where you have
a fan base already fan base like the BattleHawks that
are going to show up just to show, hey, you
took away our sports and we're still here for them.

Speaker 2 (22:16):
So you know what, I I'd love to see it.

Speaker 3 (22:19):
It does sound like, you know, if Oakland isn't the play,
Tampa Bay is still an option, So maybe we do
see the return of the Tampa Bay Bandits, you know,
in addition to the trademark stuff too, Just to kind
of circle back a little bit, Yeah, just because they're
renewing trademarks doesn't really mean much like they need to
own these things so somebody else doesn't own them and

(22:42):
have an Oakland Invaders or a Tampa Bay Bandits.

Speaker 1 (22:45):
And something the NFL learned too and will pull an
experience from UFL and XFL's past with the with the Oilers.
There is value in holding onto a mark like that,
and like merchandise, selling it or using for our properties.
Like I'll be frank, there is an all inside there
like myself or yourself, where like I wouldn't mind buying
some more Stars or General's merch. Honestly, the Invaders are

(23:07):
a great brand. I had an Invader's T shirt for
the longest time. It just you know, wore out. But
like these are old like nostalgic brands. People will buy
this stuff if you're finding the super fan crowd, like
you're getting, you know, and it's not bad to sell,
so like it's good to hold onto it. And if
you new future expansion, you can sell those brands. Like
there's a lot of benefits to holding onto these marks
or transferring them under the now the new company name,

(23:29):
so you know. But hey, the Bandits and Invaders seem
to have some traction at least, so curious what's going
on with their but like that's part of the whole
movement thing, you know, Like the league wants to sell
these if they can, but I think they also want
to expand because here's the other logic. Not only do
you get a new fan base, but like new fan
base for tickets.

Speaker 2 (23:47):
But also remember it's a TV driven league.

Speaker 1 (23:50):
If you have a market that's more enticed with television,
ideally you are in theory increasing some television numbers by
adding new markets. So I think that's part of the
rub too, you know, the open one. Oh, I think
their rub is like what we're talking with Saint Louis,
which you know abandoned fan base is a market that
you know is a larger markets in the Bay Area market.

(24:12):
So you get like a top ten TV market in
the country in your pocket, which is good for advertisers.
They want to hear about that. So and it moves
you west coast, so you have some base out there too,
close to Fox HQ. The only eighth we far away.
It's it's it's western California, but it's still California.

Speaker 2 (24:31):
The negative is going to be the taxes. But I
feel I feel.

Speaker 3 (24:37):
Like you could strike a deal with the local government
to get some tax breaks for the fact of you're
bringing something to this city. You're filling a stadium that's
just sitting there decaying. You're potentially bringing people out of
their houses and maybe after their game they're gonna go

(24:57):
eat dinner somewhere. You're getting people to spend money, and
to me, there is a benefit there. Now we get
into the labor laws and this and that, and how
much does that impact? I don't know, that might be
too much of a headache for them. Plus then we
get into the travel of it all. But you know,
does Seattle team come back again? Not next year. I

(25:19):
don't think it's happening next year. I don't even think
it's happened in the year after. But if it does, okay,
maybe traveled Because I think, as you expand, if they
really want.

Speaker 2 (25:28):
To stick with this.

Speaker 3 (25:30):
XFL style hub system where all the players in one location,
I truly feel like they should at least break that
up into two hubs, whether it's a West Coast hub
and an East Coast hub, or a North and a
South hub, right like spread the wealth. Maybe put one
in Michigan and Arlington right now, at least you have

(25:50):
some of the players in both the location, get some
of that goodwill going, you know, the things that really matter.
Although I still think they should just be in the cities,
but I understand why they or not.

Speaker 2 (26:00):
Yeah, I still don't think it saves them, of course,
of course.

Speaker 1 (26:03):
Yeah, And I think that, like I said, they want,
I feel like they're trying to how do we not
bail on a market yet but also find a way
kind of like what they did with Memphis and Tampa
Bay where like you remember when they switched up that market,
They're like, well Tampa wasn't doing as great with like
the metrics, So we decided to flip it because we
felt like Memphis had a lot of interest and we

(26:24):
had a partner right away, you know, And how we
talked about back in the day fred Smith was pushing hard
to get this back. How much he's involved a Moore TBD.
But like it did push that near them to go
to Memphis, you know, that was the thing they had,
the had investment from the community and from a community leader.

Speaker 2 (26:40):
You know.

Speaker 1 (26:41):
Here what's interesting with this situation reading and again kind
of the column that James just put up and not
totally surprised actually given the fact, you know, remember Tom
and Fox directly connected one to one here on broadcasting
and a lot of their stuff. Now, part of his
ten year deal with broadcasting rights included clause to possibly
apparently be right in front to own one of these teams.

(27:03):
So that's part of the incentive as to why he
might consider pulling the trigger on this and getting in early,
is because he already has a fast track to possibly
getting what that ties to how much he gets and
like kind of I guess passes on getting in is
I think what's curious. But what I think Fox is
thinking here is if they are committing in our series
about this growing what better way to get serious and

(27:26):
to prove to people that you are having people that
are interested than having one of your own and one
of the most recognizable men in sports who now owns
a minority stake and a football.

Speaker 2 (27:36):
Team in the NFL.

Speaker 1 (27:37):
Mind you own out right possibly or mostly one of
your own football teams, which I also think enters the
question does the NFL get curious about ownership of two
football leagues? And like, I don't know if that does
happen or not. Maybe it's because it's minor. That's what
I think would be an interesting take. If he say
he pulls the trigger and talks to Fox, does the

(27:57):
NFL care, you know, like that that's.

Speaker 2 (27:59):
The thing they do. I don't think they do.

Speaker 3 (28:01):
And honestly, again, I think it's kind of smart. If
Tom Brady goes in with an Oakland team, He's got
part ownership with the Raiders, again my minority stake, but nonetheless, right,
you kind of could build your own pipeline to your
NFL team you like, although it's not officially there, he's
on the ground. With both of these situations, you see

(28:21):
a guy, Hey, you know what, let's bring him over here.
You know he's gonna take you know, he's gonna take
the deal to jump to the Raiders, right, So, I
mean it opens up a new way of thinking about
the relationship between the NFL and the UFL to where
you know, you get more situations like this, you know,

(28:42):
almost don't even need an official partnership.

Speaker 2 (28:45):
Also, I'll just add this isn't out of the ordinary
for Fox.

Speaker 3 (28:49):
I've seen this with Fox a lot, where Fox personalities
buy in to what Fox is going on, because I
believe some of the Fox personalities also have bought into
a NASCAR, which is pretty heavily featured on Fox. And
so again, this is just not out of the ordinary.

(29:10):
If you ask me, glad to see it, hope to
see it. We were hoping to see it with a
Rod with the generals way way back when. But who knows,
maybe those conversations are still happening.

Speaker 2 (29:21):
Good things take time. That's speculations, right of course, darn right.

Speaker 1 (29:26):
Actually, it's curious with the A Rod deal makes you
wonder if he also had a clause to fast trek
into something like that, because a Rod reminder, he's a
Fox employee too for Baseball Night in America, So that
is another one to kind of consider. Funny enough, speaking
of a Rod, you know who else? Both him and
Tom showed their faces on the Indy five hundred, which
Fox hosted this year as their first year under a

(29:48):
multi year deal with Indy Car to broadcast the five
hundred along with the entire slate of races. Why does
this matter, you may ask, Well, first off, Mortality weekend,
and I'm gonna be thrilled to tell you go into
the race because that it's the great spectacum racing and
it's an Indiana tradition like no other.

Speaker 2 (30:06):
Wonderful time you ever been to the five.

Speaker 1 (30:07):
Hundred or any curious to go racing and check out
a race, you should go.

Speaker 2 (30:12):
But I sleep pausing.

Speaker 3 (30:13):
I'm curious, so real quick, there we go, There we go.

Speaker 2 (30:22):
My my battery died on my other camera.

Speaker 3 (30:25):
So there we'll come into this. So Zach, I must know,
did you go to the Wienie five hundred?

Speaker 2 (30:35):
I missed it.

Speaker 1 (30:36):
I missed I came in on Friday and I landed
just as they finished. I'm not joking the thirty minute race.
You actually had one of the Wiener mobiles blow an
engine on the backstretch, which is hilarious, Like what ended up?

Speaker 2 (30:52):
What? I watched it?

Speaker 1 (30:54):
And sure enough the Chicago Dog my ride enjoys leading
down the front stretch and gets in lou Is this
to the slaw Dog in a slipstream.

Speaker 3 (31:02):
Paths the worst dog them all, By the way, Who
it's a slaw dog? They're talking about the South, I've
not Maybe Texas isn't the South, some argue that, but.

Speaker 2 (31:14):
I'm a slaw dog.

Speaker 1 (31:16):
Yeah, I mean I've heard of the slaw dog. I
actually had to look up only one style of hot dogs.
I was curious because they had the six of them
were at the Chicago, the New York, the Sonoran Dog,
which you and I are both very familiar with you
living out back this way as well. Also the Kansas
City you had a chili dog, and the.

Speaker 2 (31:36):
Last one was the Seattle style. I was like, what
the hell is Seattle style hot dogs? And so I
don't want to make a joke, but I'm gonna look
it up.

Speaker 1 (31:44):
So a hot dog top with cream cheese, often with
additions like caramelized onions and sour kraut.

Speaker 2 (31:51):
That's close to the joke I was gonna make with
the cream cheese on there and all, but okay, sounds newer.

Speaker 1 (31:57):
It's the Seattle Dog originally from a bagel cart in
your Square nineteen eight nine, which go figure, there's where
the cream cheese came from.

Speaker 2 (32:03):
So but yeah, it's probably good, funny enough. It actually
probably a.

Speaker 1 (32:07):
Bad Seattle's on my list of places I want to
visit next, and that will be a thing I try,
and I'm probably gonna like it for no reason other
than that it's like hot dog meets other food. So
but anyway, to wrap up, you know, I missed that out.
And they did have the wingingmobile on the parade on Saturday,
and then Sunday you have the race, and so we're

(32:29):
watching the race. It's a big event and honestly really
big deal. Honestly, Brady's out there, gronks out there, a
Rod and Jeter announce and start start the cars to
the the people, the racers to the cars, and Fox
did a great job, and I rewatched the broadcast after
back at home.

Speaker 2 (32:46):
Long story short.

Speaker 1 (32:46):
Though, I was wondering, what are the ratings for this event,
given that Fox promoted the living hell out of it
and did way more than BC did, And sure enough
they killed it. And it's the It scored a seven
million average viewership, which by that standard, it's in its
eight seventeen year gap since the last time it met

(33:08):
that number in two thousand and eight. But here's the
other kicker, and this was something I was wondering, So
if that number is big and we look at the
TV schedule, would the same effect is such as the
Preakness like on NBC, pull good numbers for the UFL
event the next time, and sure enough, even with the
late start it did, it pulled in a whopping one

(33:29):
point four million practically average with a with a peak
of two point six, So great leading example.

Speaker 2 (33:36):
Once again for a week it was really good ratings wise.

Speaker 1 (33:39):
Yes, a little bit of a dip on Friday night,
but ABC pulled in just under a million itself for
their broadcast, and the only asterisk would be the rain
called off game in terms of broadcast for Memphis and Narlington, which.

Speaker 3 (33:52):
Is a shame because we could have probably had two
games around a million.

Speaker 2 (33:57):
And then the indy five hundred.

Speaker 3 (34:00):
That rain delay pushed it to be basically another simultaneous
start as we had what was it the previous week
where we had two games at the same time, so
we had that again this weekend. Both fine games, don't
get me wrong, but it's a shame, but still nice
to see the good viewership. I'm always worried on a

(34:21):
holiday weekend. Friday makes sense. Friday always makes sense. People
are going out Friday, this and that. Yeah, eighty five one,
that makes sense. You got a great lead in, but
to see Saturday games. People could be out at the beach,
people could be out grilling, people could be out doing
a million things. But we still had nearly a million
one point two million peak at least tune in to

(34:44):
the Birmingham Michigan game. And you know, I'm happy with that.
I'm sure the league's happy with that.

Speaker 2 (34:51):
We know me when I say major.

Speaker 3 (34:53):
But like MBAMLS, MLS is always the example I'll draw
back on, just because they got such a huge money
rights deal recently, and when you compare the ratings to
the UFL, they're not drastically different.

Speaker 2 (35:08):
From each other.

Speaker 3 (35:08):
For everybody that's doom and gloom about oh my god.
With the UFL and the TV is different, although live
TV is different than TV, if that makes sense. As
far as like on demand, I would say more people
are probably watching this live than on demand, whereas maybe
a sitcom people might watch it live, but there's gonna

(35:29):
be a huge chunk to watch it on them. No,
I understand that, but it is a little bit different.
Pulling in a millie never mat at that. As we
head into season three, which again, Zachi boy, we can
get that damn season three, which it feels like we're
gonna they're collecting the money. I'm talking to people to
get my money for season tickets, so better. I mean,

(35:50):
this will be the first Spring league to have three
seasons since the original USFL back in the eighties. That's
once we get the season four, season five, we're an uncharted.

Speaker 1 (36:03):
Territory, baby that that would be a massive milestone across
And honestly, if you can have any upward movement in
ratings or things like that, and finally some stability and
movement where it's not like crazy chatok behind the scenes
talk about changes in office position, IB be a win.
And I think it's what hope is for next year.

(36:25):
You know, it's been a it's been a year of
just kind of like I think, almost biting nails in
a way. You know, but it does seem like they're
still committed, which that's the message.

Speaker 2 (36:34):
That's good.

Speaker 1 (36:34):
That means they still feel there's an optimal place for
this product. But they have to put the work. We've talked,
they have to put the work in to do that.
You know, we'll still be committed, but you got to
get new.

Speaker 2 (36:43):
People besides us in the stands.

Speaker 1 (36:45):
It's the deal, or retain those people, which they already
know the message. I'll tell you though, great games to
have if you're talking the ones that we're banging in
terms of like high quality football, you know, nail biers,
you know, Stallions Panthers have it feels like, yeah, Stallions
definitely have our number.

Speaker 2 (37:02):
But always feels like a good game.

Speaker 1 (37:03):
You know, this one was down to the wire, who
had the ball last and who was going to get
a stop and that was a good contest.

Speaker 2 (37:09):
And ABC.

Speaker 1 (37:10):
Meanwhile Houston and DC. You've got Houston trying to hold
on to a win.

Speaker 2 (37:15):
DC.

Speaker 1 (37:15):
You know, yeah, sure they had to splip out quarterbacks
because yes, you're not playing for that seating, but you're
still a good game. They rallied twelve points off in
the fourth quarter, made it a really close one.

Speaker 2 (37:24):
That's the type of game you want coming out.

Speaker 1 (37:25):
Of a big national audience like that that you hope
stays and is kind of curious. You know, so good
stuff there. The hope is that you keep on hammering
that home. You can't always do lead ends we've worn,
but anytime you can is a win for it because
you can get some range, you can get a new
audience possibly looking at you and maybe try and see
if you win some people over with your products. So yeah,

(37:48):
that was a good example of a good ratings weekend.

Speaker 2 (37:50):
And just imagine this.

Speaker 3 (37:51):
At Pete two point six million people saw America's team,
the Houston Roughnecks, doing what we do best, and that's
beating the number one I'll tell you what we beat
in the past. We've beat champions numerous times. We've beat
the number one seed probably a few times.

Speaker 1 (38:10):
Are you are you saying that your team is the
seal of approval that you're crowning a champion this year?

Speaker 3 (38:18):
No, I'm telling you next year we're going twelve and
oh baby, this is the progression that what I needed.

Speaker 2 (38:23):
So okay, just think about this.

Speaker 3 (38:26):
Between last year and this year, we're four hundred times
better that you are.

Speaker 2 (38:32):
You know what we are.

Speaker 3 (38:33):
And think about if we're four hundred times better than
we are this year, next year.

Speaker 2 (38:38):
That's over twelve and oh baby, that's over twelve. And
oh baby, oh my god, get me started. I am
so ready. Don't move this team.

Speaker 3 (38:49):
We're about to win championship. After championship and after next.

Speaker 2 (38:53):
Week we're gonna get there. Oh my god. After the
next creak. Hey, you know what this creak?

Speaker 1 (38:59):
Credit to the Your Guys's new staff and with Will Lewis,
general manager, because I will say it was nice to
see your Guys squad return to a competitive nature where
you know, it's not feeling like I'm waiting to sit
and see what happens every week. It is feeling like
the Roughnecks are on the right path in a way.

Speaker 2 (39:18):
So it's good to see. You know.

Speaker 1 (39:20):
I'll give you props. It's just not gonna be this
year beyond week ten. But you know, another time, just
right time.

Speaker 2 (39:30):
Playoff Saturday. Oh my god, what are the rough guts
doing running on the field?

Speaker 3 (39:36):
Next thing, you know, replace your team Yep, we're gonna
bully one of the four teams out of playing.

Speaker 2 (39:43):
Oh my goodness, give us your spot.

Speaker 3 (39:46):
It's like steal someone's lunch money. We're gonna hold them
all upside out.

Speaker 1 (39:50):
Anyway, Anyway, let's tell you what. Let let's dive in.
We got one more week a regular season to go.
Uh and hey, it is gonna be It's gonna be a.

Speaker 2 (40:00):
Doozy because I think it's these are tune up games,
you know.

Speaker 1 (40:03):
I think that you know, we did kind of see
a little bit of that last week as well, but
I think we're gonna get a little bit more of
that too, especially with one of our matchups being a
double up. In terms of Week ten, we play each
other again once more here, only this time the Week
ten matchups at home and then they no matter what,
are flipping to the opposite opponents home field. So uh,

(40:25):
let's go into this, shall we Let me get the
slate up for this week as we're gonna go as
we usually do, Friday through Sunday for Week ten, So
kicking off the Friday night, and I'll tell you what,
this is quite the Friday night affair.

Speaker 2 (40:40):
I'm not gonna and.

Speaker 1 (40:41):
I know I know the seating changes it, but I'll
tell you what. These two, I imagine are still gonna
play hard. They're chippy against each other. They've always been
chippy since the XFL twenty three days, which is the BattleHawks.

Speaker 2 (40:52):
Going to d C.

Speaker 1 (40:53):
It's a DC home game on a Friday night, so
that's gonna be a great atmosphere. I feel like in
terms of getting the crowd rowdy. Yeah, I got a
good sense not only I think you're gonna see people
hope we tune out in, but also turn out and
what should be yes, while nothing's at stake, should be
I think a fun contest. I think these guys are
gonna throw some curve balls to maybe not give away

(41:15):
the playbook on what they're gonna do for the week
later for those championship series.

Speaker 3 (41:21):
Yeah, I mean this to me is probably the toughest
game for me to pick all this week.

Speaker 2 (41:26):
And I'll tell and even out of in.

Speaker 3 (41:28):
Reality, I have I had to double check my picks list.
I still have the tab open on my phone and
this is the only game that I haven't had a
pick on.

Speaker 2 (41:38):
But I think I'm ready. I think I'm ready. All right,
I'm ready.

Speaker 3 (41:42):
Friday night. You already said it. Friday night, last home
game of the season for DC. I think that's gonna
give them the edge. One we've already saw. DC is
an mf or when it comes to comebacks, they will
find a way to get back into a game.

Speaker 2 (41:58):
We saw it last week. Unfortunately for them, they were
trying it.

Speaker 3 (42:02):
Against the Roughnecks, and the Roughnecks aren't gonna let.

Speaker 2 (42:05):
The Roughnecks aren't giving away no game. Zacky boy.

Speaker 3 (42:09):
Who would come back against the Roughnecks in such embarrassing fashion.

Speaker 2 (42:14):
To us nobody. I don't recall one time.

Speaker 3 (42:18):
This season where the Roughnecks blew a huge lead, but
I'll tell you they did not do it last week
with the defenders and the defenders you know what, I
think though, that they do have a little bit of
mustard in the tank if you will.

Speaker 2 (42:32):
The Barehawks are.

Speaker 3 (42:35):
They are a scary team. You could think what you want.
You could say, oh, it's rigged, it's this, or that
they want the championship in Saint Louis with Saint Louis
in there.

Speaker 2 (42:45):
But you know what, I'll be honest.

Speaker 3 (42:46):
After they had their quarterback problems earlier in the season,
I kind of wrote them off a little bit, Max Duggan.
He's doing what he needs to do. They're getting on
the winning side of things, and you can't really argue
with that. I think DC wins this one. You know,
maybe as a preview and to my pick next week,
I think we're gonna get a flip flop. I think

(43:07):
whoever wins this game loses the playoff game.

Speaker 2 (43:11):
M Maybe my mind will change after this game. Maybe
my mind will change as we get closer to the
actual playoff match up.

Speaker 3 (43:22):
But I think DC wins this game, and I guess
by proxy that means as of right now, I think
the BattleHawks will make it to the championship. As of
right now, we got a whole episode next week.

Speaker 2 (43:32):
Zacky boy. Yeah, I mean we're gonna have to talk completely.

Speaker 1 (43:37):
I almost have to throw the playbooks out in a way,
because this will be a weird one. But what I
did notice in week nine I think will continue and
maybe even more be emphasized in starting with Friday Night
is the quarterbacks I think will be managed the most.
Because the roster sizes, you can't really move too many,
especially players out. You do have some room, but remember

(43:57):
these are still restricted down to fifty Ish and chant
and man rosters. So you can only have so many
activated on game day, and you only have so many
positions open to you on game day that can kind
of swap in and out as you please. So the
quarterbacks arely gonna be one. I think that they're gonna
be keeping an eye on. So I think you should
expect a lot of Mike DeLeo over in DC. Honestly,

(44:19):
I'd be shocked if they even last beyond a quarter
with Jordan Toam if they start the game with Jordan,
so I think even less than last week. I think
they'll do maybe like a quarter to get them warmed
warmed up and kind of just out there like a
preseason game, and then they'll let Mike just handle and
control and have the keys the entire thing, barring injury.
Of course, same thing with Saint Louis. I feel like

(44:40):
they'll do a similar deal. I think you'll see a
ton of Brandon Silvers. You know, we did see a
lot as of a blowout last week, but I think
he hits the field a lot.

Speaker 2 (44:47):
I think it's gonna be you'll.

Speaker 1 (44:48):
See a lot of similar discussion as we go through
this list of scheduled like just talk of games sands
maybe non playoff teams. So yeah, I expect a lot
of Brandon Silvers. I saw with DELAYO last week. So
even with that being a factor, I did lean d C.
I do lean d C. Now credit, I'll give you

(45:10):
Saint Louis fans out there a bone. I did rank
him the best team in the league this past week,
So I will throw you out there that I just
feel like DC's got their number right now, even with
the squad that they're gonna put out there, so to
be determined, you know, could go off, and you know,
I'm I'm not fully against that Brand Silvers comes out
and either balls out or he's the other side of

(45:31):
Brand Silvers, because there's the gunslinger Brand Silvers that is
shown up and shown his face before and does not
always have the cleanest of games.

Speaker 2 (45:39):
So that could always put it on edge too.

Speaker 1 (45:43):
Give me d C in this and I think it'll
be I think I'll be higher scoring than most people
believe it.

Speaker 2 (45:49):
And I think it's also gonna be competitive till the end.

Speaker 1 (45:52):
Just you know, and we can have a fun game
on Friday night, doesn't matter as much, you know, you know,
Week ten, that's cooking and preparing you for the main
course that is the week next, so stay tuned for
that on the rest of the dock at kicking things
off and leading into Saturday. So we have we have
two Sunday games this week, actually interesting one Saturday game

(46:15):
and this one is going to be your guys. You're
heading over to the final ford Field home event of
the year, guaranteed again by the way, Houston heading to Michigan.
And you know, I think with all the talk about
Bryce Perkins, his ankle issue and some injury issues, you know,
Danny Etling's been actually really serviceable in the last two

(46:36):
games he's been out there.

Speaker 2 (46:38):
Why risk again.

Speaker 1 (46:39):
Unless you feel like you want at least war get
him a few reps to kind of get in the rhythm.
Why risk your superstar when you know that the most
important game of Michigan's season and arguably Michigan's franchise rebirth
is the next week. Since they have never been able
to beat St.

Speaker 2 (46:57):
Birmingham.

Speaker 1 (46:58):
On the other side, Danny as well starting it, I
don't see any reason to try and whip out Bryce early.

Speaker 2 (47:04):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (47:04):
Well, and it's Ref's law the game part two. Let's
just not mention we need to get our revenge on
Danny Etling just a little bit, just a little bit.
Everybody was so hopeful in that other week. But now
and now we're coming a little bit more prepared. And
you know what, Enforcers of Justice, sacky boy.

Speaker 2 (47:21):
We saw it last week.

Speaker 3 (47:23):
We're gonna see it again. We're keeping these seatings. We're
here to fix the seating problem in the UFL. It's
like it's always sunny. The Gang fixes the seating problem
in the UFL, you know what I mean.

Speaker 2 (47:36):
So that's us this week.

Speaker 3 (47:37):
We're coming into that game, home game, away game, it
doesn't matter. We're getting it done. And you know what,
We're gonna give Michigan a little bit of spanking. And
it's a good thing. It's what they need if they
want to beat the Stallions. They need what's coming to
them this Saturday when Houston Shushton mops.

Speaker 2 (47:56):
The floor with them. I don't even need to say
the name.

Speaker 3 (47:59):
Right, we're gonna they're gonna be the joke of the
league after this week. But they're gonna go into that
game in Birmingham the week after and they're gonna say, oh,
we need to They're gonna be ready they're gonna readjust
some things after what Houston does to them, and they
ain't gonna be a close kind of comeback like DC had.

Speaker 2 (48:18):
No, no, no, my friend, it's gonna.

Speaker 3 (48:20):
Be what they call a good old fashioned blowout.

Speaker 2 (48:26):
And so I hope there's.

Speaker 3 (48:27):
Twelve thousand fans there, just like there was two point
six million at the peak episode to see America's team
beat the number one seed last week. I want a
record crowd in Michigan to see Houston wallop their team.

Speaker 2 (48:45):
Just take them out. Now. We just need to get
coach runs out there. We just need to have them
stopped mogging the players on the sidelines. Coach run, that's
all we need. That's all we need. All You're gonna
be good, gonna be good. But no, I'm calling it
the Roughnecks, baby rough day. You know what, We're so
close five hundred. We're so close to five hundred.

Speaker 3 (49:08):
And for all the people that are saying, oh, the
Roughnecks are gonna get relocated, this is what we're doing.
We're gonna win. We're gonna win, baby five hundred. Relocate
that think.

Speaker 1 (49:20):
So put a little hope into fans that things are
a change in is how I'm if you will.

Speaker 2 (49:25):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (49:25):
Now, now I will say great confidence I just had
because I'm checking the tickets here while we're at it.

Speaker 2 (49:30):
Anytime the teams.

Speaker 1 (49:32):
In the league add more rows into the stadium, it's
always a good signed tickets are selling well. So they
did just add on like five additional rows on the
Michigan side, like for every section available.

Speaker 2 (49:45):
I like it. I like it a lot.

Speaker 1 (49:47):
That's what I want to see, get that record for
the modern era broken, because I trust me, the team's
good and it's fun football over in Ford Field.

Speaker 2 (49:54):
Right now.

Speaker 1 (49:55):
Now, speaking of that game, I'll refocus this. Look I
look at I look at the roughnecks. Don't get in
your own way, and I don't want to see a
stat pad game that Jalen mcclennon had three hundred and
ten yards was great until you look that he had
fifty passes for thirty completions. Last matchup. You're playing from behind.

(50:16):
I mean, let's be honest. You know it wasn't close
until it was really at the end. So just just
being fair, you gotta you gotta start out hot.

Speaker 2 (50:25):
You can't get in your own way. It's as simple
as that. Even with the backups, in you.

Speaker 3 (50:29):
Know, bing Bong, I'm back. He was still recording anyway.

Speaker 1 (50:38):
Yeah, Dan Antling's been playing really solid. I mean, honestly,
it makes you wonder, you know how severe the injuries are.
If they have to ride with him, that gets more
repetitions and time on tape with him to get used
to the offense and being the guy again. If not, though,
you save for Bryce Perkins also want to shout out
and it was great the UFL and others on the

(50:59):
lead circle shout this out. Sooc Mariner is the leader
in reception yards on the Panthers, quietly having an impeccable
season for the team and has really been a star
with the roster this year. Watch to see if he
keeps on rising up and helping his case for maybe
like an Offensive Player of the Year not because that's
something he I think is in line for right now.

(51:19):
Remember MVP and Offensive Player generally gets separate awards. I
think he's making a case between him and like say,
Jacob Sailors. So fascinating to see if people recognize that
or not too But great year with him. But yeah, look,
Houston's got to be able to start fast if they
want to have a chance. Personally, I think Michigan cruises
to a win here my you know, ref Slobby Dan.

(51:41):
We get the ref slaw this week once more. Who knows,
maybe we'll have an off week and then we.

Speaker 2 (51:46):
Tune up and this time, this time we'll take it
to Birmingham. I hope to God one week away, baby,
we'll find out.

Speaker 1 (51:57):
Still, I'll still, I'll analyze.

Speaker 2 (52:01):
Post this decree. It's gotta happen.

Speaker 1 (52:05):
The lords above have to help me for once to
get the monkey off their backs.

Speaker 2 (52:10):
That is a horse instead of a money.

Speaker 3 (52:15):
Oh man, Well, Sunday, as you mentioned, we have two
games on Sunday this week.

Speaker 2 (52:20):
First game up.

Speaker 3 (52:21):
First game up, we got Renegades heading to San Antonio.
So at least san Antonio they.

Speaker 2 (52:26):
Get to end out the season with a home game.

Speaker 3 (52:28):
They you know, they have one less home game than everybody,
but at least, you know what, they get that.

Speaker 2 (52:32):
Last game of the season.

Speaker 3 (52:34):
It's also on ABC, so you're probably gonna get some
pretty decent viewership if things stand true with how we've
seen things.

Speaker 2 (52:43):
Work with ABC this week.

Speaker 3 (52:45):
I mean, this is two teams no playoff hopes, So
I do think there is the potential to have a
very fun game here. This is where trick plays I
think will be a plenty. We've seen san Anti hasn't
shied away from it. The Renegades, will they shoot themselves
in the foot or not?

Speaker 2 (53:05):
I mean, we'll see.

Speaker 3 (53:07):
I think the ren call me crazy. I think the
Renegades are gonna win. I half of me still want
I don't know. I'm actually torn on this. I think
the Brahmas could win this game because of how the
Renegades just seem to ruin it for themselves a lot
of the time. Right, I'm just gonna pick the Renegades now.

(53:30):
This is coming after a four and oh week that
was coming after an oh and four week, So I
don't know which one I'm getting this week, but I'm
gonna say Renegades right now. I do think Stoops is
gonna go in there. He's gonna get that win and
something that we haven't talked about. Right, so, we're seeing
Wade Phillips. He hasn't stepped down. He's on a leave
of absence. We don't know if he's gonna return next year.

(53:52):
There was rumors that he might return this year. But
I mean, is the last home game of the season,
and we haven't really heard him much on that front,
So I'm gonna say no, I'm gonna assume he's probably
gonna step down from the role permanently in the offseasons.

Speaker 2 (54:06):
Like that, it does feel like that. I wonder if
we're gonna see stoops.

Speaker 3 (54:09):
Is not that he's old, but I mean, he's got money,
he's won his championship, maybe didn't have the greatest season
this year.

Speaker 2 (54:20):
Is he gonna come back next year?

Speaker 3 (54:22):
And I don't know, Maybe those conversations are happening, maybe
they're not happening, but I know that there's probably if
I'm having this thought, there's probably people on the team
that are having this thought, and they're probably gonna want
to win it for him, considering they lost it for him.

Speaker 2 (54:37):
Numerous occasions this season. Well, I think they're gonna.

Speaker 3 (54:40):
Go out there and try to win it for him.
Will they be successful? I don't know, but that's my
pick so far.

Speaker 1 (54:45):
Maybe just a little bit. And keep in mind this,
I think also is your final audition if your Peyton
party to say, hey, you know, if this happens, which again,
it certainly feels like Wade's moving on after this year
for health reasons. I think to settle it and settle
down just based on how the year's gone. This is
your final audition to say, hey, I can lead this

(55:07):
next year that you don't need to look for other coach.
I can take the reins, I can make my own
staff and roster, and we can build this ourselves with
the current setup. That's really what you're trying to advertise,
I think to the league, because they're the league is
the boss of all the head coaches, they have to
make those decisions. And honestly, if you can show that

(55:27):
it's easier for them to keep you, which it would
then say trying to do another whole coaching search, they'll
be happy, I think to do that, you know, but
they got to got to show some oomp at the
end of the year and see what they got.

Speaker 2 (55:38):
I think moving into next.

Speaker 1 (55:40):
Year for Arlington, I mean, I just don't know. Like
I mean, Bob does he want to keep going. I mean,
it's been seems like it's been frustrating sands a championship
with twenty three. Like every year it seems like we
hear more and more about He's been annoyed at times
about things and how they've played out in the two
UFL seasons.

Speaker 3 (55:57):
One of the greatest clothes from this past weekend. I
won't repeat it, but Bob Stoops had some good quotes.

Speaker 2 (56:03):
This oh f was one of them.

Speaker 3 (56:06):
Oh and the one about those are stupid f and
rules that was one of my favorites.

Speaker 1 (56:13):
Sometimes it makes me wonder if he does actually read
the rule book or if he just stumbles into like
every like event and goes, all right, let's coach this
thing up and just get out of there so he
can go chill out somewhere and do his appearances or something.
But no, I mean I think I wonder, like, you know,
if he wants to come back, you know, you know,
I think it's more of that question. I don't think

(56:33):
the league wants to change anything that they don't have to,
you know, And there's probably a case, well we if
we finished five and five, I mean, it's better than
we've been ever under Bob Stube since twenty twenty, So
I mean progress. I mean, that's what I would look
at it if you're trying to spin it. Plus you
got young qbs in the wing. If you didn't have
a lease, there's stuff, So I think you're trying to see,

(56:55):
like maybe and this is a theory I have with Arlington. Yeah,
they're not a playoff team, but you know, do you
play a Holton dollars of a more so for reps
this game because it's the last one and maybe you're
not one hundred percent that Louise will be your guy
next year, and you want to see what you got
right now, you know, because odds are and as we know,

(57:16):
and I know it's not certain he's one year deals,
but let's be honest for ourselves, people, most of these
rosters get re signed to their commitments unless they obvious.
Unless these gms feel like either it's a brand new
GM coming in like Houston this year and they just
completely clean house, or they get comfortable they like their
guys and maybe a few of them don't come back, but.

Speaker 2 (57:36):
Usually the key ones do. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (57:38):
So you know, if you're evaluating the quarterback position, odds are,
unless they go to the league, you have a good
chance of re signing the guys you have like a
layan and an ours to compete next year, plus whoever
you sign. If Louise doesn't come back, you know, and
you have the opportunity if you want to say sorry, Louise,
We've been appreciating your time, but we want to start
young and move forward. So, like, this is a really

(58:00):
interesting time because Lee's is up there in years compared
to the other qbs, and they do have two young
qbs behind him, one that was drafted and picked up,
the other has been with them for several years.

Speaker 2 (58:11):
Now, do you commit to that this would be a
game to do it?

Speaker 1 (58:14):
It's the end of the season, you have nothing to
play for, great time to test things out for next year.

Speaker 2 (58:19):
Yeah, if you want to, So who you's picking in
this game? I'm going Arlington.

Speaker 1 (58:25):
But I do think that the Brahmas pull out all
the stops and whatever's left in the tool chest they're
going to throw at him. I mean, last time he's
two played, I mean Jesus, they played bookends Week one
and now week ten. Completely different atmosphere now than it
was then. And I think the San Antonio has got
nothing to lose credit. They're locked in no matter what

(58:47):
to being the number one draft position in next year's
colleagent draft.

Speaker 2 (58:53):
They already have the.

Speaker 1 (58:54):
Loss to Memphis locked in, and Memphis already has a
win above them. There's no way they can get it
by tie breaker, So no matter what, they're committed to
being the number one.

Speaker 3 (59:02):
Which on the on that note too, I saw James
confirm the other day it looks like the collegiate Draft
is going to take place in July again next this year,
not next year this year. Uh so something to look
forward to in the offseason, kind of like right away.
So always always good to have that going. So right
now we have one game where we differ, two games

(59:23):
where we're on the same side. Yeah, I'm curious where
this leads us in the last last game of the week.

Speaker 2 (59:29):
Now if we draw back.

Speaker 3 (59:30):
This was probably the biggest upset of the season was
the Showboats beating the Stallions.

Speaker 2 (59:36):
Not only beating them, beating them in overtime.

Speaker 3 (59:38):
After the show Boats looked like they weren't going to
do much this season, they took out the back to
back to back champions.

Speaker 2 (59:46):
Final game of the season.

Speaker 3 (59:48):
Especially, you know, the Stallions are looking at the seeding
after what rough the Roughnecks do to Michigan. They have
a decision on their mind. Do they want to go
one hundred percent into this game because it won't matter
win or lose. They're gonna have that number one seed now,
Michigan wins, which they won't put in Michigan wins and

(01:00:09):
they lose, and then it goes into some weird tiebreaker stuff.

Speaker 2 (01:00:13):
Yeah right, it doesn't really matter. Sure, but you know,
Skip Poltz likes to be I think he's got that
Ego's not the right word, Pride might not be the
right word.

Speaker 3 (01:00:26):
He's gonna want that number one seed justice. So there's
no excuses on if the home field advantage mattered when
they didn't blah.

Speaker 2 (01:00:35):
Blah blah blah blah. So we'll see.

Speaker 3 (01:00:39):
But I still think the Stallions be damned, They're not
gonna go into this game giving it half effort, no
matter what.

Speaker 2 (01:00:46):
I don't think.

Speaker 3 (01:00:46):
So I just don't see it not that team, not
Skip Polts. If anything, they might try some things out,
we might see them rest some guys, but they're still
gonna go into this game to win it. Similar to
what I mentioned on the in the previous game, I
think that we're going to see the show boats have
a fun game. I think we're going to see them
do some fun circus plays out there to do whatever

(01:01:10):
they can to win to make it happen again.

Speaker 2 (01:01:14):
But I think I think the Stallions are winning it
this time. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:01:17):
You know what has me kind of going on the
same favor is you know last week or no, yeah,
last week they played Michigan and in the postgame locker
room talk, I love that'll skip embrace the you know what.
The whole narrative's been that we're locked in, we have
a home game, we have nothing to play for, and

(01:01:39):
he basically said, no, guys, we're going to make damn
sure that they know we're the number one seed and
we won the conference fair and square. And I think
that is what they're basically setting out to do, is
they're going to go out with go out swinging, and
they're going to make damn sure to say, hey, we
won this conference our way, we went and won the

(01:02:00):
slug fest. We get to host it by rules that
were not designated as a well, we didn't have the venue.

Speaker 2 (01:02:07):
They truly could host it. So I think they go
out and play full force.

Speaker 1 (01:02:10):
Question is you know, I think I think I'm curious, like,
you know, how hard are you going sands, like maybe
playing reps or not. I think jmr starts the whole game,
is what I'm trying to allude to, And quite frankly,
I think JMR.

Speaker 2 (01:02:26):
Is your guy going to the playoffs.

Speaker 1 (01:02:27):
Like the thing is, they've they've been playing hot hand
injury hand all year. JMR is playing the best football
of his career right now. The man who didn't, who
was retired, got regrets about retirement and stayed around to
find a spot, goes on the roster, somehow gets back
up to playing, and he's playing the best football that

(01:02:50):
we've seen him play in spring football. He looks like
a completely different player right now. And I think that's
what Birmingham needs, is someone to rally behind like that,
and they are at the moment. You know, yes, there
was some mistakes made against Saint Louis, but you know,
you listen to skip in them and it feels like,
you know, we had it. We just have to clean
a few things up, and we definitely have a legitimate
shot still to four pete. So yeah, I think they

(01:03:13):
keep jmar roling. The hope is you don't hope for injury,
but otherwise they have Alex Magoo lined up or case
Cook is ready. You know, that's the brilliance of this
setup is they've had starting QB Calber all year that
they can go to if they want to you know,
in their back pocket and ready to go that want
to play for this team. But I think they walk
away with a win Memphis. Again, it's similar to like

(01:03:34):
San Antonio. You know, Jim Turner. I think you're playing
to see if they want to do interviews for a
job or not. And credit you know, Jim Turner's an unorthodox,
out of the box guy. It wouldn't be your typical
go and hire an old VET coach or something. It's
someone that you know has been through the ringer and
I think is trying to prove he's worth staying around.
It's been a chaotic year. They got two wins and
we're close several times. So can you finish on a

(01:03:57):
strong note. I think that's what they want to see,
and can they get some QB competition going with some reps?
Whoever the two guys are that play, you know, to
see who's going to maybe be the guy next year.
Dresser win feels like he's the most I'm gonna be
an option next year type of guy. And then beyond that,
it's kind of a hands up in the air between E. J.

(01:04:17):
Perry and Troy Williams. No one's really sure. And they
played a few years now in the league. Who knows,
but I think that's what you're doing. It's again, eval
you're just gonna get the number two pick this year
instead of number one out of designation.

Speaker 2 (01:04:29):
So I go with Birmingham.

Speaker 1 (01:04:31):
They're gonna finish the job, and I think they also
it's revenge, remember, and also I'll go by my golden rule.
As you know from last year's Summer Stock Skip Poltz
doesn't lose the same team twice in one season. That
has been a rule since twenty twenty two. You can
look it back. It is one hundred percent accuracy.

Speaker 2 (01:04:47):
Right now. I'm hoping I'm not jinxing it.

Speaker 1 (01:04:49):
But I did the same thing last year in Saint Louis,
thinking I would jinx it, and they finished with a shutout.
So he doesn't lose the same opponent twice. I'm gonna
hold on to that card until it's broken, so I
think he walks away. They finished seven to three, they
lock up the USFL Conference legitimately, and then to go
to Birmingham next week to face what is by definition,

(01:05:10):
their rival in Michigan.

Speaker 3 (01:05:12):
Yeah, well, you better hope that I'm four and oh
again this week because that'll make you three.

Speaker 1 (01:05:16):
One yeah, yeah, right, you are right, you are. And
one other update before we get away from the games.
Thanks to the pr for the league dropping this, it
is confirmed Mike Delao will be starting for DC on
Friday night, so they are resting Jordan Taamuh.

Speaker 2 (01:05:35):
He's the emergency QB.

Speaker 1 (01:05:38):
Max Dugan will get the start, but I would be
shocked again if he plays anywhere beyond the second quarter.
Expect Brandon Silvers to come in at some point and
play for this, but no, Mike Delao is the entire time.
They are definitely resting Jordan and making sure he's healthy.
So their MVP, likely MVP quarterback to me is going
to play healthy come June eighth.

Speaker 2 (01:06:01):
So yeah, it's that type of week. Friday should be
fun though.

Speaker 1 (01:06:04):
Mike showed some potential against Houston, so looking forward to
see what he's got to in the tank as well.

Speaker 3 (01:06:09):
Hell yeah, well, final week of the season. It's so crazy,
Zach I talked about this probably a million times during
the season, but it feels just like yesterday we had Springstock.

Speaker 2 (01:06:18):
We're a couple of weeks away from Summer Stock, and
next thing you know, we're gonna be bored.

Speaker 3 (01:06:22):
As hell because it's the offseason. Well, not maybe bored
as hell, because we're gonna have well each draft, and
I'm sure there's gonna be all sorts of talk about.

Speaker 2 (01:06:29):
Expansion and ownerships. And just like we had hoped, we.

Speaker 3 (01:06:32):
Had hoped we were talking about USFL, we were hoping
by season three of the USFL we're talking about owners Well,
here we are, heading into the season three of the UFL,
we're kind of starting to kick off that discussion. So
things are getting fun, things are getting interesting. Great time
to be a spring football fan.

Speaker 2 (01:06:49):
If you're out there poop pooing on the league, shame
on you. Tune in. It's fun.

Speaker 1 (01:06:54):
It's a good time. Get ready, get tuned up for
the playoffs, is how I'm. I'm, I'm we're viewing it,
really and yeah, why not? And that's what I think's
gonna be most to talk too, is you know, not
only you're getting some games, but you know you're gonna
hear plenty of discussion about the playoffs and what these
teams are like looking forward to and maybe some trends
or whatnot.

Speaker 2 (01:07:12):
So it's a good time to jump in.

Speaker 1 (01:07:13):
If you kind of checked out last week, on the
side going out of some sporting events.

Speaker 2 (01:07:18):
Come visit.

Speaker 1 (01:07:19):
Championship is right around the corner, and so is the
championship weekend, and you know, so is our little trip
to Saint Louis once again in summer Stock for the
road to Summer Stock. Be ready for that. Still prepping.
Gonna be a great time leading into that week. We're
gonna be a.

Speaker 2 (01:07:36):
Hitting the road.

Speaker 1 (01:07:37):
Earlish in the week last week talked it's looking like Wednesday,
the eleventh, I believe, is when we're hitting the road
some point that day and then we'll get there by Saturday,
with plenty of great stops on the way heading to
June fourteenth at eight o'clock Eastern time for the Championship,
So plenty of stuff ahead. Otherwise, subscribe to us. What

(01:07:58):
are you doing If you haven't by now, hit the
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time too, and power rankings and news you name it.

(01:08:18):
It's a week that was in the UFL Finally ten
percent off Royal Retros USFL newsroom for that code, save
and get some sweet official UFL swag and if one
swag if you want from a wonderful sit royalretros dot com.
Any other final thoughts here finishing up our memorality weekend episode.

Speaker 2 (01:08:37):
I don't I don't think so.

Speaker 3 (01:08:38):
I'm just saying, everybody watch out because the Roughnecks are
gonna beat up the Panthers this weekend. Refs Law the Game,
Part two is ending the way the part one should have,
which actually makes sense if it's gonna be Refslaw the game.

Speaker 2 (01:08:50):
I mean, one should win the other, the other should
win the other. Bang bong.

Speaker 3 (01:08:53):
It's like the opposites coming together, creating a whole. And
then next year again.

Speaker 2 (01:08:58):
If we win, we not.

Speaker 3 (01:09:00):
If we win, we win, win we this weekend, we'll
be five hundred percent better than we were last year,
which almost guarantees us just endless amounts of games. When
we're five hundred percent better than we are this year,
next year, my god, that's.

Speaker 2 (01:09:19):
Twenty five games in a ROSAC. That's twenty five games
in a row.

Speaker 3 (01:09:24):
Looking Oh my god, that's two twelve and oh seasons
look at and a win to start off the next one.

Speaker 2 (01:09:32):
Here the Jeffersons, moving on up, moving on up to
a d loox apartment in the sky.

Speaker 3 (01:09:39):
Baby, don't you forget it.

Speaker 2 (01:09:41):
It's gonna be good. It's gonna be good. Guys.

Speaker 1 (01:09:44):
Will catch you on Monday and also catch you next
week as we previewed.

Speaker 2 (01:09:47):
The championship series of games.

Speaker 1 (01:09:48):
Definitely want to be around for that and it'll be
award season for us, so we will make awards predictions
for the season next week's episode of the UFO podcast.
You don't want to miss that, and we'll have that
up for you too, so stick around. I'm Zach, he's
the ref. Thanks for tuning in. Catch you Monday, catch
you next week. Have a good one.