USFL Eyeing Another Comeback, Looking At Sacramento
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - The USFL made a splash with signings such as Steve Young in 1983 in its efforts to take away players from the established National Football League but the league folded just four years later.
Now its looking for a 2013 comeback and Sacramento is on its list of targeted cities.
CBS13 spoke on the phone to USFL Chief Operating Officer Fred Biletnikoff Jr. on Tuesday night.
"We think football year-round will work for some communities, and Sacramento's one of those communities we think will possibly work," he said.
The USFL team would likely play at Sacramento State or Sac City's Hughes Stadium, which is currently being remodeled.
Back in 1983, the league had teams in the nation's biggest markets - Philadelphia, Boston, the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
The 2013 version will look different. Besides Sacramento, cities the league is interested in include Portalnd, Salt Lake City and Oklahoma City. The idea this time is for USFL to be a developmental league for the NFL, not a competitor.
In a city that's been worried about losing professional sports if the Kings bolt town, someone wants to move in.
"You've got other groups who are interesting in this market because the fan support is here," said Mike Testa of the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau. "You've got a great community in Sacramento that comes out and supports these teams."
If Sacramento is looking for a rebound, the USFL is calling and wants a comeback.
"It'd be good because we do have strong fans out in Sacramento," one young fan said. "They would be well supported."
