That's exactly what they did to the first USFL and what they did to the WFL. ESPN did not have the NFL when they signed the USFL and the WFL was covered (poorly) by TVS.
The NFL goes to their tv partners and urges them not to carry competitors or risk possible losses in carrying future Super Bowls, etc. That's why, if the new USFL is truly a D league, they would do better to partner and be covered by the NFL than they would be to run independently. If the intent of the new USFL is to be an independent "spring league", they will need a strong tv network coverage and a presence in some major media markets.
You’re talking about 30 and 40 years ago. It’s a different world now. Back then the NFL was concerned the USFL and WFL would cause over saturation of football, now with the NFL having a year round network they’ve figured out there’s no such thing. Also that USFL and WFL were competing for athletes with the NFL, this USFL intends to be a training ground FOR NFL athletes.
They won’t need strong TV coverage because they won’t have the bills. They’re only paying players 3 grand a game, Fox regional coverage will pay for that easy, same as it does for the Arena league. Look at the AHL, it’s the same model, they work with the NHL as a development ground for players, but they run independently. It’s a model that does work.
Yep, exactly right....
That is if we were still operating in the 20th century.
But we don't need networks now. We have the internet.