The UFL and TicketRESERVE campaign enables fans the opportunity to purchase reservations for season tickets in an interactive web based marketplace prior to the league’s official launch. The eight cities that generate the most ticket reservations will be designated as the leading markets to host a franchise. The online market will open at 8:00 am EDT on October 9, 2007 at www.ticketreserve.com.

The campaign will focus on 12 potential host cities, including: Austin, Birmingham, Columbus, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Raleigh, Sacramento and San Antonio.

“The UFL’s mission is to deliver high quality and accessible pro football to fans in underserved markets around the country, and we felt it was important to give these fans a voice,” stated Michael Huyghue, UFL Commissioner. “This program will give us a good gauge on market interest and gives fans the power to help impact where our teams land.”

Fans can simply visit www.ticketreserve.com and pay an upfront cost of as low as $5 per ticket to reserve their seats. Should their city get selected, the investment acts as a deposit directly towards their ticket purchase. If their city does not get awarded a UFL franchise, the money will be fully reimbursed.

“Forming a new league based on the actual consumer demand ensures fans have a vote in selecting which markets will host a franchise,” said Rick Harmon, Chief Executive Officer of TicketRESERVE. “We are excited to be a part of the first professional league that offers sports fanatics the opportunity to bring a team to their city.”

In addition to the TicketRESERVE reservation data, the UFL will consider market research and other factors in determining the final team markets.

About the UFL

The UFL was developed to meet the unmet needs of football fans in major markets currently underserved by professional football. Featuring real, outdoor professional football played in the fall, the UFL will include eight teams comprised of world class football players. Scheduled to debut in August 2008, the UFL is headquartered in New York City and led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue.

About TicketRESERVE

TicketRESERVE (www.ticketreserve.com), founded in 2001, is dedicated to providing consumers with access to the biggest and most prestigious live events. Through the purchase of FanFORWARDS, loyal fans can guarantee themselves a seat at their coveted live event and, if necessary or desired, trade the contract 24/7 real-time on the TicketRESERVE website marketplace. TicketRESERVE pioneered the Pre-Primary or Forward market to give live event fans the opportunity to experience the excitement of watching their favorite events, in-person. TicketRESERVE is a proven and economical alternative to current primary and secondary ticketing operations. The company is based in Chicago.

Contacts

Edelman for UFL
Steve Maliszewski, 312-297-7411
Steve.maliszewski@edelman.com
or
Clutch Media & Marketing for TicketRESERVE
Michael Hopkins, 914-899-3191 ext. 102
mhopkins@clutchmedia.net

Personally, I’m glad they went after someone with NFL experience it makes the odds of success even that much better, and knowing that average NFL team carries a value of around $900 Million it’s easy to see why one would want to own a football team.

I think I wondered this week if that new football league — you know, the Mark Cuban league — would take Vick as its marquee player. Don’t scoff. Imagine the TV ratings that league would get with Vick quarterbacking the New York Whoevers on Opening Night 2009.

1. Speed Up the Game - A major problem with the National Football League is that fact that every game is going to take at least 3 hours of your time. I love the game just as much as the next guy, but I’d love to have that same intensity and emotion compressed into 2 hours or less.
2. Get Real Talent - One major flaw of the XFL was the fact that the league was comprised of wanna-bes and poor talent; the UFL plans on exploiting the salary cap and going after NFL players with substantial dollars, more than they’d probably make in the NFL.
3. Go International - By that I don’t mean NFL Europa or CFL, but rather have 3-4 teams in Europe or South America that are part of the UFL. US teams would have a two week visit to both Europe and South America and vice-versa giving the game a much broader international reach.
4. More Sponsors - Okay so that’s a given, but I’m talking about the Arena League style where sponsors are visible on the players jersey. Nascar does it, golf does it, arena football does it; it’s a no brainer.

These are just a few Matt McCracken and I came up with; see if you can think of some other ways that would contribute to success?

With the mindset that most middle teir players in the NFL would like to earn more and get paid more, but can’t due to salary cap and star studded rosters; a pay increase and the promise of playing team would be very enticing. Proper management of the UFL and not only could the players be a farm system for the NFL, but there is a very strong possibility that the NFL will have a ligitimate rival.

Honestly, I can’t wait for the ‘07 Football season to get here currently the only professional sport I follow regularly that’s still running is baseball and my teams not doing so hot this year. Come on August and pre-season.