The United Football League which was hoping to gain fans in its three years of operation has announced that Commissioner Michael Huyghue has resigned. He has been the Commissioner since the league’s inception in 2009. The league has played with four or five teams in its three seasons. Plans for the 2012 season will be announced at a later date.
Huyghue has overseen league play and attempts to expand beyond five teams, however, the UFL has been hampered by lack of interest, lack of a steady TV contract and funding.
We have this press release from the UFL regarding Huyghue’s resignation.
UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE COMMISSIONER RESIGNS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JACKSONVILLE, FL – Tuesday, January 31, 2012 – MICHAEL HUYGHUE announced today that he has resigned as Commissioner of the United Football League with immediate effect.
Huyghue has served as Commissioner of the United Football League since its inception and oversaw all three seasons of on-field competition in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
“I am proud of the quality product we were able to put on the field and the overwhelmingly positive fan response,” said Huyghue. “While new professional football leagues have struggled to find a niche historically, I believe the UFL exceeded those other attempts.
“The UFL has experienced significant funding issues and at this juncture it seems most prudent that I step aside while the owners work to raise the necessary funds to conduct a fourth season.”
UFL owner and founder BILL HAMBRECHT said: “We are greatly indebted to Michael for taking an idea and turning it into a reality against very challenging circumstances. We remain committed to taking the league forward and face some challenges heading into a fourth season, but we would not be here today without his steadfast leadership.”
The United Football League is currently revising its business model and strategy for the upcoming 2012 season and will announce details of future plans in the coming months.
Prior to joining the UFL, Huyghue was CEO and founder of Axcess Sports & Entertainment, where he represented a number of NFL, NBA and PGA TOUR players. The Sports Business Journal has twice named Huyghue to the “Forty Under 40” Top Sports Business Executives.
At the age of 29, he became the youngest general manger in professional football when he joined the NFL’s World League in 1989. Huyghue joined the Detroit Lions as Vice President and General Counsel, before becoming Senior Vice President of Football Operations for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the team’s inaugural NFL season. During Huyghue’s tenure with the Jaguars, the team became the winningest franchise in expansion history, achieving two AFC Central Division Championships and an unprecedented two AFC Championship appearances.
Best of luck to the UFL in 2012.
