Kelly Ramirez: Good afternoon. Today, I’m joined by a senior executive from the USFL, who has requested to remain anonymous. Thank you for speaking with me today.
Unnamed Executive: My pleasure, Kelly. Thank you for having me.
Kelly Ramirez: Let’s start with the recent challenges facing the USFL. There have been some inconsistencies in the league’s schedule and operations. Can you shed some light on what’s been going on?
Unnamed Executive: Certainly. Look, I’ll be frank. When we started this league, none of us really expected it to last this long. We approached it more as a passion project than a full-fledged business venture. As a result, there were times when our operations were not as tightly managed as they should have been.
Kelly Ramirez: So, you’re saying the USFL was initially run more like a hobby?
Unnamed Executive: Exactly. We were enthusiastic about football and saw an opportunity, but we didn’t always have the financial rigor or strategic planning you’d expect from a professional league.
Kelly Ramirez: Despite these challenges, the USFL has faced some significant legal battles from certain executives and prospective owners. How has that impacted the league?
Unnamed Executive: It’s been tough. We’ve had to divert valuable resources towards litigation that could have been better spent on improving our teams and infrastructure. It’s been a drain, both financially and emotionally.
Kelly Ramirez: Moving forward, the USFL has announced plans to elevate its professionalism starting in 1986. Can you elaborate on this shift in strategy?
Unnamed Executive: Absolutely. The incredible popularity and success we’ve seen in recent years have forced us to reevaluate our approach. We now understand that we owe it to our fans and players to operate at the highest standards of professionalism. Starting in 1986, you can expect to see improved organization, better communication, and a renewed commitment to excellence across all aspects of the league.
Kelly Ramirez: How do you plan to balance maintaining the league’s unique appeal with this newfound professionalism?
Unnamed Executive: It’s a delicate balance, no doubt. We want to preserve the excitement and innovation that have made the USFL so beloved while ensuring that our operations are transparent, efficient, and sustainable. Our goal is to match the enthusiasm of our fans with a league structure that they can trust and be proud of.
Kelly Ramirez: Thank you for your candid insights today. It sounds like the USFL is at a pivotal moment in its history.
Unnamed Executive: Indeed, Kelly. We’re optimistic about the future and excited to see where the next chapter takes us.