Any predictions for 2027? This is the first year under Repole, and I imagine he'll have a lot of ideas on how to improve the league for next year. I'm going to throw out a few (very optimistic) predictions. I'm hopeful that 2027 is the year that it all starts coming together:
- NO teams move. Despite the underwhelming attendance in most markets, Repole will make threats but likely not move a team this off season. Instead, he'll give them one more year. I could see 2028 as the year the league really has a lot of franchise relocations.
- The league focuses on building attendance through deeper local partnerships and goes beyond the most basic outreach. Repole is competitive and seeing empty stadiums has to eat at him.
- The league focuses on local drafts to drive local interest, with a greater percentage of the roster featuring locally produced players. Of course, I think Repole screwed up royally but telling the league they didn't want Spring League veterans, and black balled most of them.
- The league finally gets ESPN and Fox to have Gamecast on the website and the app, and has post-game recaps...Basically, it's treated the same as any other league...
- The UFL identifies and promotes a few key players. Ta'amu and Butler are signed to longer term contracts. The UFL ups the salaries for key positions like QB to improve overall play.