'82 Chronology-Bidding War?

Event Date: November 3rd, 1982

Event Description: USFL Player Pool

Source: United Press International

Commissioner Chet Simmons said Friday his fledging United States Football League will honor all bonafide contracts signed by National Football League and Canadian Football League players and is not interested in getting into a war with the two more established circuits.

“We will not talk with any players about coming to our league unless they are free, clean and clear of previous obligations,” Simmons said in response to a question that if the NFL strike wipes out the 1982 season, some 1,500 players might become free agents.

“We plan to honor all contracts, but if a player is free and contacts us we will be happy to listen to him. We are not in competition with anyone. They (NFL) have their league and we have ours.”

But Simmons said the USFL is concerned about the possibility the NFL might extend its season -- because of the strike -- into February and March when the new circuit plans to crank up for its first year.

“We are getting information about such a possibility and we are studying it very closely,” said Simmons. “At the moment we are considering such talk as speculation and conjecture.”

Speaking at the end of a three-day meeting by the league's 12 clubs, Simmons said he is optimistic about the USFL and, in fact, the circuit is considering the granting of four more franchises.

“I never said it would be easy (to launch the USFL) but I'm a lot more optimistic about our chances now than I was the day I signed on as commissioner,” he said. “All our market research indicates we have a fine opportunity for success. We feel we can succeed where other new leagues failed because of a strong television contract and because of the kind of people who own our clubs.”

The USFL will begin in March and play an 18-game schedule. Simmons said applications from nine cities will be reviwed at the league's next meeting -- in a month at Tampa, Fla. -- with the idea of granting four more franchises.

“We'd like to get it all squared away soon,” said Simmons, “so the new cities will have a whole year to get ready for the 1984 season.”

He listed Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Jacksonville, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Seattle as being interested in USFL franchises.

The first USFL championship game will be played on July 17, 1983 at a site yet to be determined, Simmons said, adding he was empowered to investigate possible sites and stadiums and then make a selection.

A 1983 schedule as yet has not been drawn up and approved, but Simmons said the league plans to play on Saturday and Monday nights and Sunday afternoons so as to be attractive to television. The league has TV contracts with ABC and ESPN.

Simmons said the league will be successful if it averages 35,000 a game in its first season. “Denver already has sold 25,000 season tickets,” Simmons said, “and a few other clubs are closing in on that figure.”

Story-(UPI)