UFL Media Day, Training Camp, Union Talks & more | UFL Podcast #96

It's another big week, so it's time for another big episode of The UFL Podcast.

Join Zach and The REF as they jump into UFL Media Day, Training Camp, Roster Transactions... and, of course, we'll discuss the CBA Negotiations.

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

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Trendy camp is in full swing, and we've got tons
of coverage leading up into this week, and we're one
step closer to a brand new season of the UFL.
This is the UFL Podcast. Episode ninety six starts right now,
long till we welcome back everybody to the UFL Podcast.

(00:39):
I am Dak Tyleman sitting here in the host of
chair this week as always, and I'm gonna get the
introductions round wait real quick as usual. Next to me
on whatever screen is going to be on screen, it
is the ref himself.

Speaker 2 (00:52):
It's fine.

Speaker 1 (00:53):
Good to see you, good sir. There's a lot of
things we got to discuss now. Back to weekly shows
for us, but training camps in full swing, my friend,
lots of stuff coming out. I am almost in sensory
overload mode when I'm on X anymore because these guys
are punching so much content out right now.

Speaker 3 (01:10):
This is exactly what I was hoping to see. We
were talking about this on the last episode. I said, Oh,
when this training camp comes, I want to see content, content, content,
and that's exactly.

Speaker 2 (01:19):
What we're getting every day.

Speaker 3 (01:21):
We have a little bit a few more nuggets and
we're going to talk about Media Day. It's just kicked
off at the time of the recording, and we're already
seeing some pretty fun things come out of the league.

Speaker 2 (01:33):
I'm looking forward to it. Episode ninety six closer to
one hundred.

Speaker 1 (01:37):
Oh, we're getting one step closer. That episode one hundred
is going to be a big shabang. I have some
thoughts that early things that we him and I will
be talking about about that, but episode one hundreds nearby,
but we're still in the now right now before we
get even deeper into Media Day, and a few other
things that we will definitely discuss because they are newsworthy.
Trust me, anything that's happens past week, we're definitely we're

(02:00):
touching base on. So stay with us on there, but
for now, Hey, while we're at it, If you haven't
follow us along, click on the bell below and the
subscription button. Click the bell builds a morale not only
for you, but for us too, because we keep growing
the UFL crew over here at UFO podcast. Also, be
sure to follow us on our socials that at UFL
podcast across the board anywhere you can imagine social media, Facebook, Instagram,

(02:24):
x especially go on there for TikTok. We got that too,
go and follow us. We got stuff going on now,
be sure to follow us on all your platforms. And
you know, while we're at it to check out our
we still got that Royal Retros link. I always got
to make sure because we last episode, we had to
make sure to clarify that the one is resting in pasture.

Speaker 2 (02:44):
But yeah, Royal Retros.

Speaker 1 (02:46):
Jews at USFL podcast for I believe ten percent off
your own order. That is at USFL podcast the og
code to get a little bit offesome swag for official stuff,
not only well official or retch gear, but especially official
AF one stuff. I'll punch that in while I'm at
it for your favorite teams. So while we're at it too,

(03:08):
gotta say we are making preparations for Springstock four.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
It is coming up.

Speaker 1 (03:13):
The fourth rendition of the greatest kickoff show that is
to be for spring football is coming your way Houston,
Texas on March twenty eighth. Remember Friday Night Football is
this season. We are heading under the lights out in
Southern Texas and it's going to be a blast. I
know for the ref This one's going to be extra
special because it is not only a tailgate, it's a

(03:34):
home tailgate for him. If you wanted any extra ref
in your life that this is the show to watch,
you will get the most twelve and oh's you have
ever heard in your life. Friday, March twenty eighth.

Speaker 2 (03:47):
Might be unbearable. I might be unbearable.

Speaker 1 (03:50):
I'm preparing myself for what you are going to do
or how much you will hype this up, because.

Speaker 2 (03:56):
I know it's going to be over the top. I
just I hope you all show up.

Speaker 3 (04:00):
If you can't make it in person, join us online.
But you know what we we we were just talking about,
you know, folks that we're gonna have on the show.

Speaker 2 (04:09):
I always I feel bad, Zach.

Speaker 3 (04:12):
I feel bad because we were talking about this on
a tou about the picture of all of us with
Darryl Johnston. And when I say all of us, I
mean all of us except for Ducky, because we were
too rude to invite him into the picture.

Speaker 2 (04:27):
I don't know. Again, I never even thought about.

Speaker 3 (04:30):
It until he brought it up the other day. So
I'm gonna say it now. Ducky's gonna be at Springstocks.
Ducky's gonna be at Springstock for love him or hate them.
That's where you can find them, and the party's in
the parking lot. So it's gonna be a good situation.
We're gonna have our so cola, We're gonna have chips,
We're probably gonna have even a dip to go for

(04:53):
and with those chips, we'll probably have some other goodies.
If you want to bring some goodies, we're not gonna
stop you from fringing some goodies as well. We're going
to be tailing the gate like we didn't say in
Saint Louis as well, where you know, the parties not
just at our tailgate.

Speaker 2 (05:09):
It's in the parking lot.

Speaker 3 (05:10):
Come and join us live or on YouTube, all ultimately
live either way.

Speaker 1 (05:16):
I suppose grand question I have for this for this edition.
Will we get a beer pass to us during show
like last season and we'll be a lone star just
to tie in the Texas culture.

Speaker 2 (05:28):
Well, I mean, if somebody doesn't do it, I'm gonna bring.

Speaker 1 (05:30):
Some because we got Medello's last year from some Renegades fans,
and uh, you know, I still appreciate that that drink,
that crisp drink all the same.

Speaker 3 (05:41):
I just I just remember getting that drink and drinking
it and then looking at the time.

Speaker 2 (05:46):
And it was like, what was it like nine thirty
or ten in the morning.

Speaker 1 (05:50):
And we had to go and do a press We
had to go and do like the press box work
and get the right up all that.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
I don't know if I ever told you this act.

Speaker 3 (05:57):
Remember when I got you like water and a p
up and I went and slammed a beer in between.

Speaker 2 (06:06):
I was like, man, it's boring up there. There's no
food or anything. Oh, that's snorious. Fund Wiser. Not feel
like I missed out. I just I can imagine you
were probably like, what is taking him so long? Well,
that's funny.

Speaker 1 (06:22):
That explains so much, because that was the thing I
was thinking. I was like, what the where the hell
did this guy go to? He started roaming the state.

Speaker 2 (06:33):
He couldn't fight the elevator.

Speaker 3 (06:35):
I just realized I never told you that, and I
didn't want to say it in the press.

Speaker 2 (06:42):
So much better.

Speaker 3 (06:45):
By the way, my my press credentials for this year
are pending, so.

Speaker 2 (06:48):
Hopefully I would never do that.

Speaker 3 (06:55):
Only in that anyway, Springstock for we hope to see
you there. Yes, come and drink part party if you're
twenty one.

Speaker 1 (07:05):
Party will probably be in the parking lot just gonna
keep using that one too, But no, we're gonna have
a great time. Honestly, anytime with fans of the league
always is the best.

Speaker 2 (07:16):
You know.

Speaker 1 (07:16):
It's funny because like we still meet new people every episode,
Like I still remember like Springstock three we had some
we have some og stars fans from Ohio come out
and like we sat down and talked with them about
their trip. And that's the thing, Like you never know
who you see at these games. But I think it'll
be special because, like you've been hyping up TDC you forever,
I'm looking forward to seeing that venue and you know,

(07:38):
hopefully people come out and respond to it being back
at that venue.

Speaker 2 (07:41):
So yeah, lots of stuff to look forward to. You're
witnessing history in so many way, Zach.

Speaker 3 (07:47):
Not only are you gonna be there for the first
game of the twelve and oh but we were talking
about this on a TU as well. It's the it's
the Space City, Credit Union, Space City, Financial Space City
something state and we're gonna be there first first event.

Speaker 2 (08:02):
It's debut.

Speaker 3 (08:03):
You know what, Give me them scissors and let me
cut that ribbon, baby, uh because just.

Speaker 2 (08:10):
You know what, just for the hell of it.

Speaker 3 (08:12):
Just let me have my hurrah here, guys, depending on well,
I won't say.

Speaker 1 (08:17):
That on the show, rumors say the stadium will launch
to the Moon by the end of the fourth quarter.

Speaker 2 (08:22):
I mean, with me in the crowd, anything's possible.

Speaker 1 (08:26):
Hey, complimentary space space suit and spacewalk.

Speaker 3 (08:31):
I wonder if I could find never mind never buy anyway,
But we go to the show, we go.

Speaker 4 (08:34):
To the moon.

Speaker 1 (08:35):
We were giving a bunch of druk drill, baby drill,
look for that or no, I'm kidding, all right, tangent
over back to reality and uh yeah, let's get some
formality stuff out of the way. Look, I didn't want
to go and revisit this topic, but we have to.
If I didn't, if we didn't leave the show with
talking this, I think a lot of disservice will be
done union discussions. Boy oh boy, this is becoming quite

(08:58):
a fun talk, not only in in our discord by
the way linking the description, but especially on social media.
Are there are sides being taken by fans right now
on this debate. And I'm really just we're doing this
because there's been some updates and later new developments on this.
So last we sat in the union itself, the UFPA,

(09:19):
the Night Football Players sotion, who's running this now after
the USW United States steel Workers has moved on. Last offseason,
they were given a proposal, they rejected proposal, they countered
said proposal, nothing was heard, so likely the league did
not take that proposal. So they're still back and forth
right now. Apparently they got a second proposal. We hadn't
heard anything back from that. I'm not sure if that's

(09:40):
been accepted. But still things are going down behind the scenes.
They are talking at the moment. However, other stuff related
to union activity or things like that have been happening
or supposedly have been happening, and a lot of sites
that I think at times choose win to discuss the

(10:01):
league are starting to decide to do this a little
bit more in a certain way. So, you know, and ESPN,
you know, credit they do cover the league, but I mean,
I don't know if they cover the best and most
consistent of the big groups. But you know, Kevin Seifert's
been through the name of the game for years. He's
one of the best ones with insider information too. When
he does do write ups on the spring scene, and

(10:25):
he put out just well yesterday of this recording, funny
enough that just a little updates on some of the
strife going on.

Speaker 2 (10:33):
With the league.

Speaker 1 (10:34):
And there were talks that some players not all. Some
people said all, it's not the case. Some players. We're
talking about sitting out media days, which are happening right
now as we're recording, to protest the CBA negotiations not
going their way. Certain reports will put out that Darryl
Johnson said that he was threatening telling coaches and threatening

(10:56):
that there would be certain cuts to players if players
decided to skip out on media day, and it's kind
of made a big fiasco online. Daryl did come out
and he did clarify his statements on these rumors.

Speaker 2 (11:09):
Will read these statements from Kevin's follow up on this.

Speaker 1 (11:12):
But I mean, you've got ESPN front office sports part
Pro Football Talk who has talked the most about the
UFL than it's ever before any spring league ever before.
They are hammering home on this union talk like it
is the the next big deal. But it's not going away,
and you know it's gonna keep coming up. Quite frankly, Stefane, I,

(11:35):
I'm almost worn out talking to this with people, But
you know this is it's part of the course, I
think for some of these, for some of the bigger sites,
to kind of find this is the choice to.

Speaker 2 (11:45):
Talk about the league's follow up season.

Speaker 1 (11:48):
And I know it's a big it's a big deal
if the big what if happens, but I want to
clarify in reality, I almost I can't see it getting there,
And I think that's what's crazy.

Speaker 2 (12:00):
I can't see it getting there.

Speaker 1 (12:01):
I think people are not talking enough about how this
is a tiered CBA. It's not going to be a
end all, be all, big money grab one year deal.
Like there's a lot of stuff not being discussed, and
I'm kind of shocked that we, after several years of
seeing collective party agreements in this space, are somehow thinking
that and simplifying this way too much to where it

(12:24):
seems like it's this I just want a big upgrade
and salary right now.

Speaker 2 (12:28):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (12:28):
Yeah, Well, I think the one of the strange parts
of it to me is when we look at the
people that are talking about this, it does seem strange
that it we're seeing a lot from front office Sports
and ESPN, which both kind of in certain ways have
a business relationship and one way or another with the UFL.
And that's fine if you want to report on this news.

(12:50):
I don't think you shouldn't report on bad.

Speaker 1 (12:53):
News if that because your own doesn't mean you can't
talk about said subject.

Speaker 3 (12:58):
So, but it just seems interesting to me that that
is seemingly the only articles though, that Front Office Sports
is putting out about this league.

Speaker 2 (13:06):
There isn't talk like where is also the talk.

Speaker 3 (13:09):
Of, Hey, this league is kicking off, this is how
you watch these games, Here's what's going on in training camp?

Speaker 2 (13:16):
Like why is it only the negative article?

Speaker 3 (13:18):
Now, granted, you know, part of this is also probably
some people trying to get not even some people, groups
of people, different people trying to get Okay, this is
the message that we think should be out there about
this situation, and that's probably happening not just on one side,
It's probably happening on multiple sides, for multiple angles, for

(13:40):
multiple different reasons. And so I think that's a big
reason that we're seeing so many articles about this and
it's being pushed. Plus, people love bad news. People love
to click bad news. At the end of it is
not a great situation for the league, but less about
the situation being that players might not show up. That's

(14:01):
not the that's a bad situation for the league if
it happens. But the bad situation about about this is
we're less than a month from kickoff and any positive
news gets overshadowed by this type of news, and that's
just that's not great for when you're already a little
bit behind on ticket sales. You're hoping to kind of

(14:23):
knock it out of the park with ratings, and kind's
kind of trying to see what your baseline is for
a Friday night game, which I'll remind you the league
kicks off on a Friday, right, and so it's in
a perfect world, the league would hope people would be
talking about the things that I just mentioned, the training camps,
media days, ACT media day.

Speaker 2 (14:44):
Hopefully maybe maybe some things will come.

Speaker 3 (14:46):
Out of that that'll kind of get people talking in
more of.

Speaker 2 (14:50):
A positive light kind of.

Speaker 3 (14:52):
As you mentioned, we saw kind of clarification on Darryl
Johnston's I'm what was ACT actually said, because even I'll
be honest, Zach, even before this was public, I saw
I saw some of what potentially was going to come
out and what potentially was being was said being what

(15:13):
was happening behind the scenes.

Speaker 2 (15:15):
And I don't know.

Speaker 3 (15:17):
My first thought was that that it feels like there's
probably more to the story. Sometimes it's best to just
wait see how things play out. Uh, And so I
was actually surprised. I was actually surprised to see it
go out, and then it was, you know, interesting to
see just a couple hours later there was clarification on it,
and I said, Huh, that's how you wait and see

(15:38):
how it plays out, because that's maybe not but potentially
the missing piece in this kind of discussion.

Speaker 2 (15:44):
Here is it for sure? I don't know.

Speaker 3 (15:46):
I'm not there right, so if it comes out, I
don't know. If somebody has a recording, don't be mad
at me because.

Speaker 2 (15:51):
I said it didn't happen. I'm just saying I don't know.
I look back to USFL Season one, Zach.

Speaker 3 (15:58):
We were there in Birmingham for that kickoff game, and
we saw Darryl Johnston like unloading trucks and like getting
here for people, and I'm like, it's that seems like
a long a far distance to go. But maybe maybe
who knows, maybe things are just not great.

Speaker 2 (16:16):
Maybe I don't know. It just seems strange to me.

Speaker 3 (16:18):
The front office Sports it's kind of running with it
with such a direct tie in ESPN being a broadcast partner.

Speaker 1 (16:25):
Anyway, Yabby, I again, I'll I'll go with you know,
like we just talked, you can write what you want.
I know that it's a little it's a little unorthodox
when you know the front office is a foy ol
By Red Red Bird and that you have ESPN, who
you know, I know, while not owning, they are very
vetted interest partners. They've been stated in this league. And

(16:47):
you know, oh, min last thing, like you know, if
you're like say, if you're an average Joe and the
last thing you go on ESPN and check like ufl
last thing you talked about was the release of the
schedule in January, and then this is the next big thing.
No tree, any camp mentions or anything, you know, which
that's a whole other subject of itself, but you know,
to go back on the on this whole release on

(17:08):
like just some of the what is the saga right now?
And I think it's gonna be the main thing we're
gonna be hearing most bigger sites talk about until the
season kicks off, and we'll cover it too. But like realize,
like unlike them us. We talked our training camps, we
talk media days like it's about everything the league's doing.
So like that's the difference in the nuance. We're trying

(17:31):
to discuss here to make it, just to make it
more clear, it's not it's just like oh big media back. No no, no, no, no,
it's different. You have to realize it's much different when
you're in a niche sport like this. The Johnson part,
the Johnston part of this I I I have I
have to kind of pick apart realize his position. So
there's Johnston, the player from from your the Cowboys legend,

(17:54):
you know john and Johnston who is the Fox employee,
So you know he is one of He is basically
the top man from the Fox side of this spectrum
that is in the league right now. And he has
to protect the interests of what is a company that
buy the slices of the pie.

Speaker 2 (18:14):
Pretty much owns the majority of the UFL.

Speaker 1 (18:16):
So you know he's going to he's done the unfort
and keep in mind this is in the first rodeo
for him with union negotiations. We remember when the USFL
was doing its own negotiations in twenty twenty three, that
or well, when they were doing negotiations moving on from
twenty twenty two into twenty twenty three, he was the
one he had come out he said, you know, I

(18:38):
support your efforts, but I strongly advise not to go
down this path as well. So you know, again you
have to remember he's hired to protect investments of the company,
so anything he does it is you know, he he's
going to protect Fox's interests, but he will also if
they get a deal done and they work a deal,
they're going to work a deal. So I say this

(18:58):
because his quote's kind of sympathize with that, where it's like, hey,
you know, I have to help run this, but also
like I'm still we're still at the table. You know,
we just have to make it work out. Because the
the Kevin Seiffert earlier today while we're recording, put out
basically a response from the UFL via Gerald Johnston of
his own quotes since he's mainly linked to the reports

(19:22):
about the cuts and kind of clarifying some things about
what went on yet on earlier this week. So here's
here's what I got. I'll go there's a lot of quotes.
Bear with me. We're gonna go through them bit by bit.
So jumping into this, he goes, quote, this is irre,
this is irrep Let's say here, this is your this
is an irreplaceable two days, referring to media Days. We

(19:44):
can't do this at any other time the rest of
the season. So it was really emphasizing the importance of
these two days to not only use as a league,
but to use as an individual player within our league.

Speaker 2 (19:54):
And I remember the original rumors they were going to
set out media days.

Speaker 1 (19:57):
So he was coming down with saying, hey, we have
to nip this in the butt is what they were doing.
To continue more quotes quote, So I stressed to our coaches,
there's some talk that there could be an opportunity to
boycott this event, and just please let the guys know
how important this is not only to use as a league,
but them as individual players, and league will look at

(20:18):
this conduct detrimental to the league, which could raise the
level of termination. You're not going to get cut, but
it can raise this level, which I do find interesting
because there was a bit of discussion I'll let you
go with the Stefan that some of the rumored pieces
could go against some bargaining agreement guidelines if there were
cuts based on union related activity. And I think that

(20:42):
is a very big quote he wants because that is
basically saying we weren't going to cut.

Speaker 2 (20:47):
Him over it.

Speaker 1 (20:47):
We just were going to put him on alert because
the original rumor was they were going to cut him
over it. And yeah, yeah, that's where you're going. Wait
a minute, now, we're talking legal action stuff. And that's
definitely I think one of the reasons why they had
he had to make a statement like within twenty four
hours to ESPN about this one hundred percent.

Speaker 3 (21:04):
Yeah, that's why I'm not surprised to see a response.
I'm glad to see a response too. Right, Alternatively, you
don't get a response, you're also like, well, what is
happening behind the scenes. So it is good to see
them come back with something. It is what I was
hoping to hear. Is it the case or not?

Speaker 2 (21:20):
Again, I wasn't there. I'm not really gonna speak on
that's very cheap.

Speaker 1 (21:24):
We are a third party. We are getting this secondhand
right now with some insider stuff.

Speaker 3 (21:29):
But yeah, but I'll always say kind of like what
I was saying earlier, like it's always kind of sometimes
better to just see how some of these things play out,
because sometimes a bold statement comes out and there might
be a reason for that, and it might be because
you know, one side of the party wants the discussion
to be about this particular thing. Not to say that

(21:49):
that's the case, but this is how things work in
like the real world, in the business world and everything
world of reality, because we don't live in a fantasy
world where things just are perfect in the way they are.
So you know, I'm glad to see a response. We'll see,
we'll see what happens like in the next coming weeks.

Speaker 2 (22:09):
Right, yeah, I look back, Zach.

Speaker 3 (22:13):
You'll remember, right, remember with season one of the USFL,
and right before the season there was a lawsuit from
the original USFL and they said.

Speaker 2 (22:22):
You can't use our name, and there was a lot
of worry. What's this league gonna do? How are they
gonna Are they gonna repackage all their merchandise? Are they
gonna change it? No? What happened, nothing, Zach.

Speaker 3 (22:33):
They they got it taken care of behind the scenes.

Speaker 2 (22:37):
Sooner or later that news comes out, great boom.

Speaker 3 (22:39):
Season goes on just like it always was gonna go on,
And yeah, this one's a little bit trickier of a
situation because you know, there there is situations in the world,
Zach and I don't actually think I need to explain
this to you, but I'll say it just for the state.

Speaker 2 (22:58):
That's the thing.

Speaker 3 (22:58):
You know, there's situations in life where both sides can
be right. There's situations in the world where both sides
can be wrong. And the reason I say that is
because it seems like everybody's instinct online and in the
world in general is to assume that one side is right,

(23:21):
one side is wrong, one side's a good guy, one
side's a bad guy, and there is a reality here
where both sides are good guys right. And when we
look at the situation of it right, as a league,
they're trying to fill seats, they're trying to fill a
new time spot with Friday nights. Again, this is not

(23:42):
based on anything I heard, but there could be a
reality where there's discussions on is there season three right
and so.

Speaker 2 (23:50):
Right?

Speaker 3 (23:51):
And so if that's the situation though, they're trying to
be money conscious to stretch the.

Speaker 2 (23:57):
League as long as possible. And then on the other.

Speaker 3 (23:59):
Side, there's players that were you know, you look back
at the old USFL discussions and there's like iterative pay
increases and player of the weak bonus. There's players that
are looking like that at that and saying, hey, what
about these things?

Speaker 2 (24:14):
We should continue those discussions.

Speaker 3 (24:16):
And so you can see there is a situation where
both sides of this are trying to do a positive thing.

Speaker 2 (24:22):
Sorry, uh sorry, I'm gonna ignore you. So I'm not
even gonna jump into that. You know, sometimes I do.

Speaker 1 (24:33):
I you want if you listen to the video to
the audio section of this is that's not gonna make
any sense.

Speaker 2 (24:37):
Just jump into the video later. But anyway, well.

Speaker 3 (24:42):
Sometimes I do those things on purpose, and that was
not one of them, which makes it a little bit funnier.

Speaker 2 (24:46):
I'll be honest.

Speaker 1 (24:47):
You watch, it's gonna be it's gonna be gift and
put into the discourse as soon as possible, and I
can't wait.

Speaker 2 (24:53):
So I looked up to it.

Speaker 1 (24:54):
But no, if you want to finish, I'm sorry for
interrupting you.

Speaker 2 (24:59):
I don't know if I have any thing to add
after that one. Zachy boy.

Speaker 1 (25:03):
I'll wrap this up with the last quote Darryl ad
and just kind of my own final take on it,
like similar with you you were doing there. Darryl ends
his response to Seiferts right up on this going we
continue to negotiate in good faith. We want this to
be resolved so we can start focusing on football. It's
not an easy thing to have hanging over your head
as you start training camp. The big thing for us

(25:25):
is to make sure we get this done in a
way that benefits both parties. Which has been kind of
the message that's been going through is you know, I
think the UFPA, as we have discussed on this on
many of these on this platform here ATU, they have
said multiple times over the course of well over a
year that they can do a better job than what
the steel workers did, and I think there's a lot

(25:46):
of pressure on them to get an even better deal
than what the USW did last year because they they
talked a big game. I'm not saying that that's a
bad thing. I'm saying that they talked a big game
that they could get a bigger deal, a better deal
for players on some things and not just pay. I
have to reiterate, folks, this isn't just a pay thing.
I see a lot of people talking about just pay

(26:07):
pay pay. There's other stuff that goes into this. If
you want me to point you in a direction that
makes the most sense of what else they're looking for.
Look up the old United States Football League Players Union
X account. They have their old CBA on how they
were going to elevate benefits and certain extra entities of
their CBA over several years. This isn't just a one off. Like, guys,

(26:31):
you have to understand they're trying to do two to
three years down the road. You're not gonna get everything
in the first year. But cbas are almost always negotiated
where it's increases over time for the most part. So
look at that as an example. I implore you to
do so if you're any curious or wanting to dissect
this situation as much as possible, because we're talking not
only pay but in more particular like you brought up

(26:54):
stefan bonuses. Remember, guys, the league caught a lot of
flak last year for not paying out bonuses. That's a
union thing. Like that's a big no no. That's in
your contract that you signed. And again, if you want
to defend a company, that's fine, but the company should
also execute on its own principles. It didn't do that
last year. Whether you agree that it was oh, the

(27:15):
merger we had to save money from no, no, no,
no no no. That is in a collective bargaining agreement.
They have the right to those bonuses if they make
player of the week. So again, there are reasons for that.
You've got bonuses to worry about. You've got IR you've
got IR payments, you've got training camp payments, you've got
possible housing you have to talk about as well, which,

(27:35):
by the way, housing stipends were in the CBA for
the last one.

Speaker 2 (27:38):
You got to discuss that as well.

Speaker 1 (27:40):
And the biggest one that has been talked about some
but I think is what I think they're mainly fighting.

Speaker 2 (27:45):
For health and healthcare and health insurance.

Speaker 1 (27:48):
How much coverage do these players get because we've you know,
we understand when the season's over, the league kind of
goes into this like stasis and it kind of shrinks down.
You know, players are kind of technically in a league
year until way later in the year when the contract's reset,
And I think they just want to know, Hey, how
long does that stipulation last for and what are the

(28:09):
guarantees on coverage?

Speaker 2 (28:10):
Like it's not just pay.

Speaker 1 (28:12):
I get really frustrated when I read people's comments. It's
all about pay guys, they're trying to get a paycheck.
That's not all how cbas work. You have to understand
these are multi tiered agreements to get things that are protected.
I cannot tell you enough, like from experience working in
a construction union and a really damn good construction union
by the way, because there's some terrible ones out there,

(28:34):
but the one I was in, and just having that
history of my folks being in that, my dad especially
being in that skew like it goes. There's so much
more than pay that goes into these things. Guys, like
you really have to understand it's not just a payscale
thing and it's not just an instant payday things. It's
stuff to grow alongside. So the league definitely can have
its stance it should, but don't discredit the player is

(28:55):
wanting something. And keep in mind we applaud players to
get back to the NFL, but some of these guys
are becoming career UFL guys. You have to understand, like
they're coming back year over years, so to expect them
to just keep on, you know, being like, well, you know,
it's just for NFL thing. It's like, well, no, somebody,
these guys are doing these for careers right now, and
like they're putting money away and all that. You know,

(29:17):
like like fifty five k in three months is nothing
to slouchat. Like you can do a second problem the
side and put away good money, so like you know,
plus bonuses, if you guarantee the bonuses.

Speaker 2 (29:26):
That's my thing.

Speaker 1 (29:27):
It's a much more nuanced situation than just talking about pay.
I really want people to understand this, and I believe
the deal gets done.

Speaker 2 (29:34):
It's got to get done.

Speaker 1 (29:35):
If if Fox and I and Redbird really are focused
and are as dedicated as they say to the league,
existing and going beyond this year and making these commitments
and renting a place in Arlington, They're going to get
this deal done. There's no way they can have a
stoppage and feel like they're gonna have some some solidity
moving forward while they're also dealing with ticket sales issues.

Speaker 2 (29:56):
That's the thing. They'll get this done. They have other
things they.

Speaker 1 (30:00):
Need to start focusing on, and they will find a
negotiation and a middle ground. So that's my final bit
on it. I really don't want to and we'll talk
on this aside, Stefan. If we need to revisit, we will,
but I don't want to for folks out here, I
don't want to come back and keep your hearing the
same things because you guys want to talk about season
as well. But if it's a big news piece, we'll

(30:21):
jump on. But that's my final talk on this for
the time being, because it's it'll get it's just gonna
become a lose.

Speaker 2 (30:27):
It's just gonna be the same conversation again. If there
is something new to talk.

Speaker 3 (30:31):
About, we'll talk about it either here or on around
the UFL. So it's not like we're ignoring the story.
But as zach like you pointed out, unlike a lot
of these other publications that are only talking about the
bad news, we're.

Speaker 2 (30:44):
Talking about that.

Speaker 3 (30:46):
Plus, Zachie boy, we got kickoff in three weeks. Yes,
so you know I mentioned on the last episode you
can't be a doomer.

Speaker 2 (30:55):
You shouldn't be a doomer.

Speaker 3 (30:56):
Everybody out there, if you're a doomer, stop it right now,
because three weeks from now, three weeks from today, unless
you're watching it late, which shouldn't be, we got kickoff,
we got spring football we got spring Stock for Zach,
Spring Suck four.

Speaker 2 (31:17):
And Man today.

Speaker 3 (31:19):
We were talking last week training camp is starting to
feel a little real. Today is another piece of that.
We got media Day, kind of just to segue. Darryl
Johnston brought it up.

Speaker 2 (31:30):
This is an important day for the league.

Speaker 3 (31:33):
Not just for the league but for the players as well,
and we've already seen it. Some of the clips that
have come out have been pretty fun. Zachi Boy, we've
had so far at the time of recording, so there
might be some more that come out tonight, but we
had a pretty fun one from the Brahmas.

Speaker 2 (31:50):
Wade Phillips out there doing the finger guns. I saw
some cowboy hats. It felt very Texas.

Speaker 3 (31:56):
I was very happy to see that. We haven't seen
the Roughnecks one yet. And so if it hasn't been
recorded and anybody's listening, get some swan as.

Speaker 2 (32:09):
That's one. Two. Get the Trophyesse.

Speaker 3 (32:13):
You might as well get some postseason picks with trophy,
with the lighting and all that, just do it right now, Boom,
get signed up.

Speaker 2 (32:26):
Nice.

Speaker 1 (32:26):
Yeah, I'm looking forward to uh to seeing this alternate
reality in some way. Tell me when you get the
tell me when the fusion collider is created, and we'll
go and check it out elsewhere.

Speaker 2 (32:38):
The swing is.

Speaker 3 (32:38):
The swing is was probably the most important part. If
they can get just put a swan in there. It
doesn't even need to be on a car, just somewhere
sticking up swinged out. But we saw the battle Hawks,
we saw some from the showboats. Sorry, I'm we're going

(32:58):
online to find a post. I saw a funny posts.

Speaker 2 (33:01):
It's all. It's so there's stuff all over the place.

Speaker 1 (33:03):
First off, the I'll say that the cowboy hat is
making the rounds on all the teams right now, and
it looks like unless they somehow come out with the
post right now for another team, it looks like they're
split in between three and five because it's a two
day event, So it looks like we're getting those three
teams today and I would imagine the other five come
out tomorrow when we drop this episode, so watch out

(33:26):
for that. But I tell you my favorites, like the
one you said about Wade Phillips, I love so much
because like remember, he's the son of legendary bum Phillips.

Speaker 2 (33:35):
Bum Phillips used to.

Speaker 1 (33:36):
And if you if you guys don't know or if
you need to get a little real recollection on football history.
Bum Philips was the epitome of Texas culture in football.
The man dressed like a Texan for every single game
he coached. He's one of the greatest NFL coaches that
out out there, one of the most successful NFL coaches
of his time, and the former Houston Oilers head coach

(33:59):
as well well.

Speaker 2 (34:00):
And so you know, I think that hat.

Speaker 1 (34:02):
Like I said, like I've I've seen a lot of
old video bum and like kind of his mannerisms and
all that. You know, Wade kind of does it a
little bit, but he's not He's not exactly his dad
in that way, but like it totally what he looks
like almost like nearer to him because of it. It's
it's kind of freaky to see, but in like pretty
cool way. So I like that little nod. I hope
that they use that a lot for Brahma's highlights when

(34:24):
they do it, because a lot of those are a
lot of these basically for social they're for bump outs
for like television for the most part. So like that's
what you're gonna see a lot of it. There's there's
picture Day's and whatnot. But a lot of this is
for Fox and ESPN to use for their productions, to
send it to the truck and punch it up it
for a situation. So like, I like that one. I
saw that they brought out for uh, for Donald da Lea. Hey,

(34:47):
they brought out the bubble gun, so that was out
and back in full force. They've used that one in
the past as well. I think it was Max Dugan
who had the American flag on his back for one
of the and bella thank you, yes uh.

Speaker 2 (35:01):
Dugan was in another one.

Speaker 1 (35:02):
I just was but yeah, they were highlighting Isabella that's right,
thank you for clarification. And then another one I hope
that I see for all the teams. I like they
had this year. They had one where it's a platform
where it's the coaches in the middle and they're and
the players are all like applaud and they're like pumping
the coach up.

Speaker 2 (35:19):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (35:20):
I hope they do that for I'm hoping they do
that for every team. That's kind of a cool new one.
I don't remember them doing that in any year they've
done media days.

Speaker 3 (35:26):
No, no, no, no, especially dude. If they gotta get loud, loud, loud,
for C. J.

Speaker 2 (35:31):
Johnson.

Speaker 3 (35:32):
The amount of the amount of slander I see about
my head coach online is borderline disgusting.

Speaker 2 (35:39):
Zet I disgust, and I admit I am part of
that slander. I know it's a bunch of nonsense. You guys.
Just wait. Oh, it's gonna be It's gonna be good.
It's gonna be so good.

Speaker 3 (35:51):
It's gonna be twelve goods in a row and no badsad.

Speaker 2 (35:58):
I wish anyway, I wish the best. That's all I
can tell you.

Speaker 3 (36:01):
Well, you're gonna be there for that first game, dude,
just to magic I get.

Speaker 1 (36:06):
Remember, I'm the only one's got actual stakes writing on this.
I'm giving you a pass because I'm that confident began
uh to be determined what I get penalized with. But basically, basically,
it's if I lose, I have to do something we
agree on. If I win, nothing happens, because I'm that
confident that they're not going to that. Saint Louis is

(36:27):
going to walk out of that Saint Louis will walk
out of Houston with a victory week one.

Speaker 2 (36:31):
So I'll figure something. I'm being generous.

Speaker 3 (36:33):
I'm like, you know what, something crazy happens, but I
just don't imagine that the right.

Speaker 1 (36:38):
I mean, shoot, I'll let you pick it. Honestly, I'll
find it's yours lose. I'll let you pick what happens
to me if it happens, which I don't think it will.

Speaker 3 (36:45):
So yeah, you know, I just to I went in
the uh in the chat the other day because down
the road from us we have a yacht club, and
I don't know, sometimes I forget about like reality and
like the real world and how things might tie together.
And I was in a chat and I said something
about going to the yacht club, and I don't know why.

Speaker 2 (37:07):
I didn't like everybody thought I was talking about some
show boats thing.

Speaker 3 (37:13):
I was like, oh, no, no, no, but and it's
in When I say the yacht club, it I mean
it's not not fancy, but it's not fancy fancy. I
went there at six o'clock, right, and I thought I
was going to avoid the early bird dinner people. I
did not avoid the early bird dinner people. I was
the youngest person there. I'm a forty zach. I was

(37:36):
the youngest person in there, easily by twenty five years,
maybe by forty years.

Speaker 2 (37:42):
In some instances, and.

Speaker 3 (37:45):
They eyed me down like I had invaded some secret
like mafia meeting or something. And now that just makes
me want to go there more because I'm like, what are.

Speaker 2 (37:57):
These old people up to? Knowing what?

Speaker 3 (38:00):
An old lady in her sweater looking over at me
while she's chopping her prime wherever.

Speaker 2 (38:06):
Her husband's rattling his walker like trying to I'm gonna
get your son.

Speaker 3 (38:11):
I don't know what was going on in there, but
I am intrigued.

Speaker 2 (38:16):
I know from visiting you.

Speaker 1 (38:17):
It's a little ways down, but like part of me
wished you had shown up in your go cart or sorry,
your golf cart.

Speaker 3 (38:23):
I wish if I could pick you up from the
damn airport in the golf cart too.

Speaker 1 (38:27):
I mean that would be a trip, but yeah, that
would be something.

Speaker 2 (38:32):
It would take us hours.

Speaker 1 (38:34):
I know, I'm thinking about riding down the highway on
a goddamn golf car.

Speaker 2 (38:39):
In Texas, it goes like twenty eight, you know, thirty downhill.

Speaker 3 (38:45):
No, But the fact is, yeah, what it's like, you know,
the road coming into my neighborhood, it's kind of like
one lane and I give it's two lanes in the direction. Yeah,
but there's not like a sidewalk or there's really no
wiggle room for there's road and there's like either lake
or forest on either side. And so when I see

(39:06):
people riding their bike or walking down that road, I'm like,
you couldn't find another way. This is how you choose
to end your life. Because this, I mean, even in
a car, I don't feel safe.

Speaker 2 (39:23):
So that street I won't. I almost set it and
docks myself where I live. But up the street that
I live off of.

Speaker 3 (39:32):
Is one of the most dangerous streets in the country,
one of the most by death. So when I see
people riding their bike on him, like wood, are you
okay anyway?

Speaker 2 (39:47):
Oh lord? Back to news. Well, yeah, I start talking
about nonsense. Well yeah it sucks. Yeah, we can't even
talk about your your.

Speaker 4 (39:54):
Team, but I'm sorry. Picture golf freaking golf card going
down in that golf cart. My only only thought on
that story is knowing, knowing you, and how I think
you originally got the golf cart.

Speaker 1 (40:07):
That would be something. Knowing you'd be like, Now, I
just want to yacht to piss people.

Speaker 2 (40:13):
Oh, Zach, dude, and I want I want a pontoon
boat more than anything. Thank you. You're you were speaking
my language.

Speaker 1 (40:20):
I got my wife a six pack and I need
a folding chair on that deck.

Speaker 3 (40:24):
That's what I want, my wife says, but they don't
go fast, and my response to that is good, Yeah,
I don't want to die. I want to sit out
on the lake and watch like spring football.

Speaker 2 (40:35):
Like me, the dream is it's Saturday.

Speaker 3 (40:39):
I got to cover a UFL game and I'm doing
it from the middle of the lake. Like to me,
that's the dream, you know, But I don't know if
you know this, Zach. Boats are expensive and even after
you own them, they are they're expensive, and so I
don't own a boat.

Speaker 2 (40:56):
I'm probably not, but I would love.

Speaker 1 (40:59):
To own them, you know. I'll tell you and this
is my this is my segue here. I'll tell you
who I think is voting right now, just from experience
and kind of getting we've as we've gotten to know
him over the years outside of football or you know,
his online or whatnot. I bet Jmr. Smith's enjoying himself
right now fishing, because yeah, we we we had a

(41:21):
we had a legend in our in our circle. Decided
to retire for this season and Jmr. Smith, former Stallions quarterback.
Was third string last year, but remember was started for
two seasons for the Stallions won a championship with him
in all three years, but started and was a key
part of the twenty twenty two season and getting a
championship for the Stallions in that inaugural year. He chose

(41:44):
he has chosen to retire for this season. You know, again,
I think for the sake of us, and like our show,
it's what it's very just you know, for us kind
of it's kind of sad because like, you know, not
only did you know we got to meet him, meet
him on occasion and not only like Springstock, but like
we had to watch as he celebrates his victories when
we were at the first championship game and going into

(42:07):
that locker room and checking out things, and like, you know,
just I don't know, like it's just a little different
for me with this guy, because like he kind of
was embodying like I think that character of like I
get that chance, I'm with Skip, you know, I'm making
the most of my new opportunity with this, you know.

Speaker 2 (42:26):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (42:27):
Plus the inaugural game, him scoring a touchdown to win
the damn thing, the fireworks at the end, like it
was the whole vibe. He really helped kick things off,
you know.

Speaker 3 (42:36):
Well the crazy thing too, Zach, because remember he wasn't
even the starter in that game. He was coming in
for an injured Alex McGoo, And so as Stallion's fans
are watching that game, you know, deep down in.

Speaker 2 (42:46):
The back of their head, they're like, uh, oh, are
we in trouble?

Speaker 3 (42:49):
And then this dude just comes out, balls out, wins
the game goes on to give him like one hell
of a season, lead him to a championship. Second season
starter gets injured, we see Alex McGoo come in, But
did we see jmar be angry on the sidelines.

Speaker 2 (43:06):
Hell no. He was like a half coach, half cheerleader.
He was there to amp those guys up.

Speaker 3 (43:14):
And we saw it again last season and it is
sad to see, right because when I think of spring football,
and we even talked about this, it's funny, Zach. Remember
when we first started this show, we said, in a
few years, there's gonna be guys that we look back
on and these are the guys that are the spring
football legends. These are the guys that made names for
themselves in this sport. And now we've been covering this

(43:37):
thing so damn long that we're now starting.

Speaker 2 (43:41):
To see some of these guys retire. Yeah, and it's
not just.

Speaker 3 (43:43):
Him, it's it's it's it's been there's been a few
situations that this season, even last season.

Speaker 2 (43:49):
But three time championship, a three time.

Speaker 3 (43:51):
Champion with Birmingham, over seventeen hundred passing yards, eleven touchdowns. Again,
three a three time champion, Zach, Yeah, I don't care
what the league is. I don't care if it's the
corn whole championship. If you can get three championships, let
alone three in a row, you did your part. You

(44:12):
did your part.

Speaker 1 (44:12):
Yeah, and he he he gracefully took his third string
role last year. You know, I know, uh, some of
us were wondering if he had even a shot to
get the backup role, and you know, it didn't work out.
You know, Matt Crowell and came in, Andrew Martinez. These
are guys that were, you know ones. I think we
are this, we're that next phase of where we're at now,
you know, And I think Jmr took it really gracefully

(44:33):
and kind of became like a coach last year in
a way and kind of like almost like a lock
like real locker room presidence type of.

Speaker 2 (44:40):
Guy, you know.

Speaker 1 (44:41):
But he has always, I think, just been really good
at you know, I think just kind of keeping keeping
level and being you know, accepting of a situation, being
able to play, you know, like seems always seemed really
appreciative for the opportunity he's gotten. Uh, And so yeah,
it's it's unfortunately. I wish it's unfort that he has
to go this soon, and I feel but like, you know,

(45:02):
I also think it's the time is now. It makes sense,
you know, and I think especially the best, like I
really do.

Speaker 2 (45:08):
You know.

Speaker 1 (45:09):
I glad we got to chat with him in person
and be able to like kind of talk to real
JMR a few years ago. And I imagine he's enjoying
himself and also looking into as I remember from that interview,
maybe he's looking to chiropractice right now as he was talking.

Speaker 2 (45:26):
You know, It's.

Speaker 3 (45:27):
Always interesting to see what these guys post football careers
are because it's funny it it is. There's a lot
of surprising career shifts in this field. I think there's
probably this assumption from outsiders just kind of looking in
if oh, all these guys know how to do is
play football.

Speaker 2 (45:46):
That's not the case at.

Speaker 3 (45:47):
All, because we've seen a few of these guys move
on to like interesting careers.

Speaker 2 (45:51):
That you might not think of right away. So sign
them up, sign them up, you know, good stuff.

Speaker 1 (45:57):
And he left, so left avoid in that ross because
people were wondering, well, who's gonna step in, you know,
and uh, you know, like I said, Skip kind of
announced it said a player was retiring, and it sounds
it was all booked for him by by our James
Larson that he is, along with the fact that he
was also not on the sign QB's list from the
mini camp letter, and so you know, kind of had

(46:20):
some speculations. Some folks were wondering, hey, maybe this is
mcceren's way back in. You know, maybe you have a
I know, ducky and have several others really want Kyle
Sloader to come back, which hey, you know, sign me
up for that, because remember former Stallion's quarterback as well,
who does have a ring by the way for his
year two escapades with the with the team. But no,

(46:40):
we had a different name that I think really no
one had talked about because it kind of felt like
he was on his way out too, and I'm kind
of surprised, but you know, I understand if this is
what I think is gonna happen with him with this role.
So case cookus of all people, you know former Stars quarterback,
Remember the guy who basically led the Stars to the

(47:03):
inaugural USFL championship and some people believe would have won
that championship. He had and broke his arm during the
said game. Uh, he's back, yeah, and he uh he
signed on with the Stallions.

Speaker 2 (47:15):
So right now, and I mean, I want to hear.

Speaker 1 (47:19):
I don't know what if you think differently here, but
like I'm in the camp that he's gonna be signed
on as that QB three coaching candidate. Remember he was
already looking to coach, so like, yeah, he was. He's
already been looking into that avenue. He'd been doing doing
some work already this offseason. And the fact that's why
I thought he wasn't gonna come back. But you know,
now he's here now. And I while I do see

(47:43):
people that there's one or two that think maybe he's
gonna go for the starting gig, I'm in the camp
he's gonna be the QB three, that extra personnel guy
in the locker room. That's basically another voice and eyes
and ears for the coaching staff.

Speaker 2 (47:57):
That's how I view his role. I'm kind of with you.

Speaker 3 (48:00):
You know what, I would really, really really love to
see Case Cook as serve role doing this season is
similar to what we saw and this is a throwback
Zachy boy to the lineman in the TSL where you
had Stan Bedwell was back up quarterback, but he was

(48:23):
basically an assistant coach as well. Yeah, and he was
out there and he was I mean, well, did you
know Stan Bedwell's coaching in the IFL or the if A.

Speaker 1 (48:36):
Know him and how Mummy you're like a tandem, so
like yeah, yeah, he's stuck them through the TSL. And
then you know, we remember because we all thought how
Mummy had a good had a really realistic shot of
landing a head coaching gig with the USFL or XFL
that did not come to fruition, and so he stuck
with him. He's apparently and I have to go into
a bit more with Stan. Stan also helps teach a

(48:59):
lot of a lot of concepts that how Mummy goes
with goes with his own offense. So yeah, he does
a lot of he's like a lot of coaches camps.
He helps with like setting up a lot a lot
of the air raid offense that Hall helped kind of popularize.

Speaker 2 (49:15):
From his teaching. So like he's been with him the
entire way.

Speaker 1 (49:19):
So yeah, now they're both in San Antonio, so they're
both gonna be coaching the Calbreros.

Speaker 2 (49:25):
I need to get out to a game. I gotta go.

Speaker 3 (49:27):
It's gonna be so hot, Zach, but I gotta go.

Speaker 1 (49:30):
Well, here's the thing there, that's the one team. I
want to see how this is all treated, because like
the Brahmas are in town, they're playing in the Alamodome,
but they're still playing in the same area, just in
a smaller venue outdoors in San Antonio.

Speaker 2 (49:47):
Oh, it's gonna be so hot, Zach. But I gotta go.
I gotta get to this. Damn. I gotta go. Just
to go.

Speaker 1 (49:55):
We need a field, we need a PFN field report
to see how this game goes.

Speaker 2 (50:00):
Reach out to him. I'm gonna get media credentials. You totally.
I bet you can. I bet you would easily be
able to you know, well, you know what.

Speaker 3 (50:07):
I was actually sad to see them not play in
Dallas because that's I guess it's the same distance really
from here to San Antonio.

Speaker 2 (50:14):
Might be a little bit longer, but anyway.

Speaker 3 (50:17):
Yeah, anyway, anyway, we're talking about case cook is here.

Speaker 2 (50:20):
Case cook is I'm glad to see him here.

Speaker 3 (50:22):
I would love to see him serving a role similar
to what we were just talking about with Stan Bedwell
kind of and you know what, it could be good
prep for his move into coaching, you know, so you
kind of get that dual role and you never want
to see it happen, but we have seen injuries happen
in the past with spring leagues and worst worst, worst
case scenario, you get down to that third QB. Case

(50:45):
Cooks isn't the worst guy to have kind of behind
the as your double back, pocket backup, you know what
I mean. So I think it's a win for the Stallions.
It just kind of reaffirms that the Stallions are the
team to beat. They got just as much talent as
any team could have. Uh and so it's gonna be
interesting to see how they lose to the rough Decks

(51:08):
this year.

Speaker 1 (51:11):
Yeah, I mean, we'll find out. Although that streak got
broken last year for Houston teams getting a changed.

Speaker 2 (51:18):
The damn name. But I'll just have to make.

Speaker 1 (51:20):
No gamblers, no no fun, no no upsets. That way,
Maybe that does change, but it doesn't look like it
will unless. Uh, you know, the football gods smile upon
the fields of of the Houston crowds the day in
h Town. No, the the resources that the Birmingham has
along with the roster, there's a reason why we keep

(51:42):
harping they and we keep saying it is the team
to beat no matter what right now. And there they've
loaded up again, you know, Zach Potter or not be damned,
they have loaded up again.

Speaker 2 (51:53):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (51:53):
And even if you want to talk about like upgrades,
like you know, Jmar, I love Jmar, but yeah, I
feel like Case here with this, I feel like he
adds even a slight bit upside too, and not saying again,
I don't believe the Case is gonna get a start
this year unless it's like disaster on that in that
roster with quarterbacks. And part of it's because you and

(52:15):
I know this Case Cookus. When is a good line
existed with Case Cookus ever? Yeah, because we used to
harp on Bart Andrews not year one. It was one thing,
but like your two Bart Andrews are like, how did
you not upgrade this line? And then he went and
if Houston the Memphis lastyek, oh, look all these veterans,
He's gonna get this best line ever.

Speaker 2 (52:35):
And he still got killed.

Speaker 1 (52:36):
And I know some of it was like the narrative
change where it's like, well, now he's getting in his way.

Speaker 2 (52:40):
It's like yeah, But then you look at the tape and.

Speaker 1 (52:42):
Like the if he plays, this is the best team
with the best with some of the most consistent offensive
line talent. When it comes to eval if he makes
the field, he will. He shouldn't have any reason to
be panicky. But again, I don't think he makes the field.
And it's partially because they will protect those other two,
whether it's Magoo or or Corral, very well enough to

(53:05):
where they'll get things done.

Speaker 2 (53:06):
So agreed, agreed.

Speaker 3 (53:08):
So but you know, as a Stallion's fan, this does
probably feel good because you got you got some death
when it comes to quarterball, right.

Speaker 1 (53:16):
I would be ecstatic. Like I'll go as far as
to say we I'm not gonna name who wrote this up. Yeah,
we had someone on one of the one of the
Facebook groups that I'm in, They're like.

Speaker 2 (53:29):
Isn't there a salary cap in the UFL.

Speaker 1 (53:31):
I'm like, there's not a salary cap, dude, because he's like, well,
we can't just keep letting these teams get these guys.
It's like, well no, and I mean Case was I
was gonna say, like they they are teams that talk
to him as well.

Speaker 2 (53:45):
Apparently just didn't go to them.

Speaker 1 (53:47):
Like that's the things have a choice too. You gotta
remember that, Like you don't like Chris Sodom. We just
talked about this, like one of the recent shows a
to you wise, Chris Sodom left your rough Necks. He
is now at the Rival just north of you.

Speaker 2 (54:00):
He didn't see the vision. I guess he just didn't
see that.

Speaker 3 (54:03):
He maybe he didn't like swing as I don't know
what's going on.

Speaker 2 (54:06):
Maybe I'll have a chat.

Speaker 3 (54:07):
With him when we're up there in Arlington and be like, man,
what's happening. Maybe I can convince him to come back
by the end of that game. Maybe never mind, I
got to stop talking about my master plan here.

Speaker 2 (54:16):
B Oh yeah, don't you know the ref might clear
in that game?

Speaker 1 (54:19):
Oh well, well, Cases, well, Cases looking at the Stallions,
his former team while we're kind of catching up on
the news, and while we're catching up on the season,
is making a lot of plans to I think, really
get the Memphis market interested for those that need a refresher.
Not too shy away from this. Memphis not a great

(54:42):
year ticket wise. They were the lowest in the league
last year. Whether it was poor record, you know, trying
to advertise in the market whatnot, it was a hard
sell for some fans. There are die hard Yacht Club fans.
I respect the hell out of them, but they there's
going to need to be some work by the league
by the way that they need to get stuff and

(55:02):
get activated folks that want to go see these games.
And so there's been a lot of good marketing work
in Memphis this year, a lot of focus actually in Memphis.
It seems like it's the one that gets the most
attention for that reason, I think alone. But they put
an entire press release on the roadmap for help and
where they're going to be if you wanted any indication

(55:23):
that they are dead set on trying to get Memphis
to get people in seats and course correct from maybe
mistakes last year with how they market it out there,
they are going hardcore with this, so they call it
the March to Kickoff is what they're doing, and so
starting already this month, but and what they'll have more

(55:44):
events is of today while we're releasing this episode, they're
essentially having community events all over the Memphis metro and
just going anywhere and everywhere that is big events. So
March first was the first one we already missed at
the Alpha O Mega Veterans Masquerae ball. But today they
have two events that are gonna be at at the
Germantown Chamber of Commerce first Fridays. And which first Fridays,

(56:05):
I know the REFS has mentioned that on the past,
of course for other stuff in Canton, but they're all
over the place. And then they're also gonna be the
University of Memphis for the basketball game against USF And
there's just a slew of stuff all the way to
March thirtieth to the home opener. Again, if you don't
think they want this market to work, then you haven't

(56:26):
been following, because this is like the number one promoted
market right now outside of Saint Louis and maybe like
Pablo visiting places in Michigan right now where they are
like hardcore pushing to get ticket sales up in Memphis.
It is the spot they've focused on most of their
energy in this year.

Speaker 3 (56:42):
Yeah, it feels like they're at least trying to fulfill
the promise that Darryl Johnston made last year that they
were gonna put more focus and he was speaking specifically
in regards to the Memphis market.

Speaker 2 (56:53):
And so you know, we're seeing that and that's great
to see.

Speaker 3 (56:56):
I would love to see this maybe with especially in Houston,
you know, selfish, but you know what, I'll take what
we can get.

Speaker 2 (57:02):
It is good seeing the league out there.

Speaker 3 (57:04):
You know, we I've had I said my piece on
the things that I thought could be better, the things
that could go better, the things that they could be doing.
And this is that, right, this is that this is
exactly what I want them to be doing. Like any
opportunity there is to inform somebody that might not know
that the UFL is playing, or the show Boats are playing,
or that the showboats are even a thing. Hey, here's

(57:25):
this thing we got by the way. You know, you
paid for this ticket.

Speaker 2 (57:29):
How much is that? With that expensive?

Speaker 3 (57:30):
Ours are really cheap. You can get in for twenty
twenty five bucks a game. Hey, and you know what,
we might even cut you a deal because we want
to fill the house for our opening game that's less
than a month away.

Speaker 2 (57:43):
And blah blah blah blah blah blah. Do whatever you
need to do, right, And we're seeing a good mix here.

Speaker 3 (57:48):
It's kind of like you said, first Fridays, sporting events,
March Madness watch parties. You know, yeah, it's basketball, but
sports people like sports. Maybe not every one of them
is gonna be a football fan, but I tell you
go to a March Madness party and say how many
of you guys watch football?

Speaker 2 (58:05):
Guarantee at least half of that crowd.

Speaker 3 (58:07):
Is raising their hand, probably more, let's be honest, right,
And so this is exactly what i want to see.

Speaker 2 (58:15):
I'm curious.

Speaker 3 (58:16):
I'm very excited to see what are the results of this.
Is it gonna be sold out?

Speaker 2 (58:21):
No, don't.

Speaker 3 (58:22):
I wouldn't get too crazy to say, yeah, they're gonna
pack the house.

Speaker 2 (58:26):
But are they gonna do better than they've done so far?

Speaker 3 (58:28):
I would guarantee they're gonna sell some tickets based on
these efforts they almost have to, right.

Speaker 1 (58:35):
Well, proper marketing does work, like that's the thing we've
we've talked about this. This is one thing that I felt,
even with the hubs, with the USFL, they did a
really good job and they always we always were stressed
by the former folks that operated the league there. They
care about being a face in on the ground, you know,

(58:57):
whether it is a Gamber's jersey that is on the
They wanted the league's brand in your face locally. Because
not everyone goes online. Not everyone just instantly reacts online.
You have to do as much up on the ground
work and put yourself in a community than you do
when it goes to online, because it's they're different people.
Not everyone goes online like some of us diehard fans,

(59:19):
a lot of us diehard fans do. You have to
find that other crowd. So, like, this is an effort
that I really like to see. I'm hoping that you know,
they're feeling like that other markets can catch up and
that they're doing less because of it. But that being said,
I want this to be a blueprint for all eight
markets especially. I mean, look, we've had a lot of
people we've talked about this on like how much flak

(59:41):
Birmingham gets and it's like, well, guys, when I hear
that no one's putting billboards in Birmingham or right, I
don't see roadmaps like this, Like again, can you can
you blame people for not getting activated? Like that's again
we go back to the business. That's a good business thing.
Now do it everywhere else, you know, Like I'm like,
ooka look, look at this list. It's all over the place.
They're going to marathons, they're going to Saint Patrick's Day

(01:00:03):
parades in different areas of the Mid South.

Speaker 2 (01:00:06):
To be proper, you know.

Speaker 1 (01:00:07):
They're having watch parties from March Madness at two different locations,
and they're doing a virtual presentation.

Speaker 2 (01:00:13):
On rules with Dean Blandino.

Speaker 1 (01:00:15):
Now I want to hear more details on how I
can get in on that action to sit down there.

Speaker 3 (01:00:20):
So far, there's only two teams, two season ticket holders
that can get access to that. It's the Showboats and
the Defenders season ticket holders.

Speaker 2 (01:00:29):
Why just those two? I don't know.

Speaker 1 (01:00:31):
Unless other people get some emails, which maybe I'm missing,
but that I feel like that's going to be all
season ticket holders.

Speaker 2 (01:00:37):
It's not gonna be just kids. Got like, why would
they just anyway?

Speaker 1 (01:00:40):
Yeah, it seems that seemed odd to me as well,
but here's the final kicker. So at the end of
the schedule, So the day before the game, they're doing
a fan fest kickoff at Ghost River Brewing, followed up
then by the home opener where they're playing My Michigan
Panthers down at Simmons Bank Liberty Field. And yes, Simmons
Bank's a little different this year. But I'm telling you,
if the if the league keeps going, and like I said,

(01:01:01):
they keep saying they're they're looking at next year like
that venue is gonna be fantastic, and I I mean
that that's I think why they're also focusing is like, hey,
we go one of the newest upgraded venues in the league,
and we're in a market that's in our neck of
the woods, Like, let's put some effort in here too,
you know, besides the ticket sales being lowest of the
league all last year.

Speaker 2 (01:01:22):
So they know.

Speaker 1 (01:01:24):
But like I think for us, like we look at
as fans and go, that's awesome. I hope they keep
realizing you got to do that more because I that
was missed last year. Merger being excuse be damned or not,
local marketing does matter. People like you have to you
have to mix in then like that and realize that, yes,
they want this to look major league in many ways

(01:01:45):
on TV, but you need to use minor league ticketing
and marketing practices that have been proven, tried and true
by markets that have done it in.

Speaker 2 (01:01:52):
Smaller level sports.

Speaker 1 (01:01:54):
Yeah, you know, it's it's so much more goes into
this than just throwing something a graphic onto a media
page and hoping to god you click a link. So
good good stuff. Hopefully keeps doing stuff like this because
that's great. I love seeing a roadmap like that. And again,
I mean, if you're everywhere and you make sure people
know you're there, you know, gets around a little bit

(01:02:17):
does help you know.

Speaker 3 (01:02:19):
They're set to have a pretty you know, they could
potentially have a pretty good upgrade in their season record
this year. Right, they have Ken wizen Hunt coming in
as the head coach. You have Jaron Horton coming in
from the defensive side, which, if I may remind you,
he turned that Maler's team around pretty maybe not single handedly,
but it's hard to argue that the defense was not

(01:02:41):
a huge part of that turnaround for that team. And
you know, as Boogie would say, another one, it seems
like every week, we have another one of those Malers
coming over to that team, and you know, I wouldn't
be too shocked if they're right up at the top
of that UFL Division USFL Division rather with the Houston

(01:03:03):
Rough decks.

Speaker 1 (01:03:04):
Oh, they're definitely gonna give my They're definitely gonna give
I think those teams run for their money. Jaren definitely
had if we're talking some of the most success against
Steve skip Holtz's offenses in the past. And then as
he's uh, he's been in our discord and you can
we know this for a fact because he's a He's

(01:03:24):
mentioned how he kind of owns Michigan, which yeah, his
last time he was in the league.

Speaker 2 (01:03:30):
Yeah, he kind of owns Michigan.

Speaker 1 (01:03:32):
So you know, I have a little bit extra, you know,
Spike going into this home opener or into their home opener,
because I'm like, gonna prove something different this time.

Speaker 2 (01:03:42):
Man.

Speaker 1 (01:03:42):
Like Memphis as much I know you're talking twelve to
zero three rough decks, but like Memphis is the real
wild guard in the UFL, in the USFL Division. Let's
be frank, they could be boom robust on how good
they are. They just succeed my freaking team. So I'm
worried about them a little bit, a little bit stile
though all.

Speaker 3 (01:03:58):
We're close, we're close to the season, and we're close
to knowing how things are gonna shake out.

Speaker 2 (01:04:03):
I've hesitated to say it, but I'm.

Speaker 3 (01:04:06):
Fearful of Ref's law. I hope this is the year, Zach,
we've been doing this show. This is the year Ref's
law gets broken where both of our teams win on
the same weekend.

Speaker 2 (01:04:18):
Please better let it be the first week.

Speaker 3 (01:04:21):
I don't want you to have to wait for your win,
because I know we're getting our win Friday, March twenty eighth.
That's our first win, yours will seek. Is it gonna
be March thirtieth against the show Boats? A You're gonna
have to wait a couple weeks.

Speaker 2 (01:04:34):
I think so.

Speaker 1 (01:04:35):
But I don't think it's gonna be a comfortable I
think it's gonna be a close game. I actually guess
we were the best games of opening week. If I'm
gonna put out a take right now before we fully
dive into evail. But yeah, that one is on my
card to be like nail bider for me to the end.

Speaker 2 (01:04:52):
Yeah.

Speaker 3 (01:04:52):
Yeah, Well, we're getting close it's feeling real. So again,
don't be doomers out there, guys. There is good news happening. Yes,
we just talked about it.

Speaker 1 (01:05:02):
Season still going up, and again doesn't hurt to keep
up with with things that are going to affect the league,
league in a way.

Speaker 2 (01:05:09):
Or the or what I'm saying more is.

Speaker 1 (01:05:11):
Like what could affect the league for this year. But
let's I'm but to give you again a realistic take there.
I I'm hard for used to see how they don't
start on time. They just got to get stuff done,
is how it is. This is how it's been before,
and it will happen and get done again. So one
till that time, we're on our way. A few more

(01:05:32):
weeks out and we will be sitting cozy Friday night
talking live at Springstock for a reminder, that is going
to be March twenty eighth down in Houston, Texas at
TDECU Stadium. Details will be revealed in the coming week
two weeks or so. We just need to hammer that out,
but trust me, we will be there. We're gonna be
rocking with some with some of those rowdy Roughnecks fans

(01:05:54):
that we got to meet last year at Rice stadium
and now we get to have the full attended and
live show out that way.

Speaker 2 (01:06:01):
With those folks.

Speaker 1 (01:06:01):
So they're good, good people we met, So I can't
wait to see some of them again and kind of
chat chat it up and see how they've been doing.
But yeah, live stream will be up soon enough too.
With like the links, he can save it when you want.
Stick around for that, and you can keep up with
that by subscribing to us here at the UFL podcast
click the bell and the subscribe button. It builds around

(01:06:22):
only for you, but for us too at the UFL podcast,
and you also get reminders with that when we go
live for Around the UFL, which we are doing weekly
right now Mondays six o'clock Eastern on the same channel,
where it's not just me and the ref but we're
talking James Larson, Ducky, you know, we've got Jake Ball
coming on it from time to time. Maybe we can

(01:06:44):
depends on the growing weather. Maybe Luke Miller joins us again.

Speaker 2 (01:06:47):
You know, you never know. We have Nick Thorn, maybe
he finally gets a little time again.

Speaker 1 (01:06:52):
I know he's been busy, but mister Roster doc extraordinary himself,
and you should definitely check out his stuff too while
we're talking at it, because three roster doc that he
updates mediculously. The man does so much good work for
the community with that is it goes unsung, honestly, but
great stuff from him. But yeah, check out that rowdy

(01:07:12):
crew six o'clock Eastern time on Mondays. We have a
great time with that and hopefully more guests as we're
going down the pipeline. We are planning on it, so
you just need to lock them in, but stay tuned
for those as we do through the season. Also follow
us at UFL podcast on your favorite social and while
you're at it, follow around the UFL around the UFL
on your favorite social platform as well. While you are

(01:07:34):
added support the show Royal retros at US or roy
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And it's been a great ride so far, thirty three
point five k subs and strong still climbing up the charts.
So appreciate you all as always, so any other final words,

(01:07:57):
rev before we dip off.

Speaker 2 (01:07:59):
It's been a pack show. It's gonna keep being this
way season.

Speaker 3 (01:08:03):
We're at the we're at the final sprint. Things are
getting hot and heavy. News is coming fast and furious,
and I'm ready for it and I'm super excited.

Speaker 2 (01:08:11):
Zach. It's gonna be fun to have you out here.

Speaker 3 (01:08:13):
We're gonna be mucking around on the golf cart, We're
gonna be at barbecues, We're gonna be going to football games.
We're gonna get some BUCkies, and it's gonna be good.

Speaker 1 (01:08:22):
Hey, when him and I get together, When him and
I get together, it's a blast. I'm just stoked to
get down down there and get some time with you again. Man,
It's always a good time when the Ref and Zach
are in town. A. Yeah. Until then, we are sticking
to the show as virtually, and soon enough we'll be
live for that and probably an eight TU episode actually
given the schedules, so that'll be interesting as well, at
least for us too.

Speaker 2 (01:08:42):
So stay tuned to that. I'm He's the Ref. I'm Zach.

Speaker 1 (01:08:46):
Common catch you on the other side, Episode ninety seven
coming your way next week. Stick tuned for that. Season's
on the way. We'll catch you next time.