College football power becomes initial league participant as the University of Miami accepts invitation to join

(Atlanta)- The American College Football League is pleased to welcome its first member for its inaugural season. The ACFL announces the University of Miami’s football program has become a member effective July 1, 2012. The school applied for membership and has been accepted after a review of the ACFL Board of Directors to begin play in the fall of 2013.

“We are thrilled with the announcement that the Miami Hurricanes have become the first program to join the new ACFL,” said ACFL Commissioner Rick Chryst. “The Miami brand is one of the most recognizable in college football and we believe their arrival in our league is a tremendous first step as we build a new era in this great game.”

Miami won five national titles during their history in the NCAA. The Hurricanes built one of the great dynasties of the sport and developed a fan following that stretched far beyond the south Florida area. Their history includes many great players and coaches who went on to enjoy great success in the NFL.

“Today is a new day for the Miami Hurricanes,” said Miami President James William. “We look forward to being pioneers in this new era of college football that features a structure that we believe best suits our program.”

The ACFL was founded on January 1, 2012. The league and its members will compete in a format that allows its student-athletes to be compensated by participating schools for their efforts as players. Players may receive additional compensation through player endorsements, academic progress, merchandise sales, years of service as well as achievements on playing the field.

The ACFL believes in a system that rewards its participants both academically and monetarily. In addition, the ACFL offers a variety of programs that allows the student-athlete to develop the skills and business relationships to prepare them for life when their playing careers are complete. Our partnership program will allow our players to maximize their skills both on and off the field and prepare them to achieve in the business world.

The University of Miami’s football program recently was the subject of an NCAA investigation. The school has acknowledged, after both an internal and external investigation, that violations occurred during a period of time in connection to a former booster. While Miami disagrees with the some of the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions report, the school recognizes that a limited number of violations were made by coaches, players and athletic department officials.

However, university officials believe it is in the best interest of the not just the football program or athletic department but of the school and south Florida community that the football program move forward in a system that allows it to compete at a high level with rules and guidelines that address the needs of its players and supporters.

The school released the following statement in reference to its acceptance of membership in the ACFL:

“While we accept some of the NCAA’s findings in regards to violations of our football program, we believe there are many elements of the report that are not accurate and should be challenged by the university. However, the process of a legal challenge will likely cause more damage to our program and school and cost millions of dollars in a court battle that likely will not result with a positive ruling.”

“Rather than face penalties that would result in a significant loss of scholarships, money, television appearances and bowl game opportunities, we have chosen to end our voluntary membership of our football program in the NCAA. This unfortunate decision also has forced us to relinquish our standing as a football member of Atlantic Coast Conference.”

“We are excited to help create a new system of college football that fairly rewards its members for their efforts. We believe the current NCAA bylaws have become outdated and do not address the many reasonable expectations of today’s student athlete. We believe in a system where all parties who generate revenue are benefactors and a system where incentives are provided to encourage student-athletes to advance their academic goals and be compensated for their commitment and performance in the athletic spectrum.”

“We believe the ACFL is better suited for the University of Miami’s football program today and for the future. We look forward to working with the commissioner and board in advancing the league’s membership and are proud to call the ACFL our home.”

The ACFL Board of Directors continues to review the applications of football programs that have applied for membership. Any potential candidates for membership will remain private per rules of the ACFL.

The ACFL is expected to begin play in the fall of 2013 with at least six charter programs. The University of Miami will play the 2012 season as a member of the NCAA. The school notified the NCAA of its plans to withdraw membership on January 1, 2012. Miami was placed on probation by the NCAA for violations found by the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions. The probation period is for four years and runs through the 2015 season. The school also was stripped of 40 total scholarships over that same four year period. Miami was to lose 15 scholarships in 2012, 10 scholarships in 2013, 10 scholarships in 2014 and 5 scholarships in 2015. The program was also banned from participating in a bowl game for a three year period beginning with the 2012 season and was not permitted to accept any television revenue from the ACC or NCAA for a three year period ending with the 2014 season.

Below are details of the ACFL and its plan to build a new era in college football:

Membership- Schools may apply for membership by filing an application. The application will be reviewed by the ACFL Board of Directors. Criteria for membership includes a variety of factors such as media market size, history of program, fan support, recent success on the playing field, revenue potential and brand recognition. All selected members must not be a member of any other college athletic association that sponsors football as a sanctioned sport.

Financial commitment- ACFL members must commit a minimum of $10,000,000 for operating costs. No member school may exceed $30,000,000 for operating costs. This figure does not include costs for staffing, which includes all coaches and support personnel.

League/Team sponsors- The ACFL will secure corporate sponsors that will provide revenue for the league and its members. This will also allow sponsors to enjoy premium placement on our playing fields, with league guidelines, as well as within our broadcast delivery system. In addition, each ACFL member school reserves the right to sell official team sponsors, with league approval. These sponsors will provide additional funding for all team related costs and compensation plans. Such team sponsors may include logo placement on official team jersey, playing field and other selected locations. For example, the University of Miami may secure an official team sponsor that is willing to pay $1,000,000. For that amount, the sponsor will get their logo in a prime position on the team’s official game jersey as well as prime logo placement on the team’s field and a variety of additional sponsor benefits. Teams may sell numerous levels of sponsorships and use revenue generated towards operating costs and compensation costs.

Scheduling- The ACFL’s objective in reference to scheduling is to provide a balanced scheduled for competition. With several stages of expansion planned, the process of scheduling will change. While not expecting the cooperation of the NCAA, the ACFL will allow its members to schedule a maximum of two non-league games against members of the NCAA. This model is not new in relation to the number of high school sports where private schools exempt themselves from competing for state sanctioned championships yet still compete against schools who are eligible for state playoffs.

The ACFL, with six members expected for its inaugural season, will play a 10 game regular season schedule with each team playing a home-and-home against all league members. The long term scheduling plan calls for teams to play 12 regular season games in a balanced schedule format.

Post-season- The ACFL believes championships are decided on the field. The first season will feature a unique playoff format pitting the first and second place teams competing for the ACFL Championship. However, all ACFL teams will play in our Championship Weekend. Two bowl games will be played prior to our title game. This provides an additional opportunity for all league teams to experience a post-season game.

The eventual playoff model for the ACFL will include division winners and wild card teams competing in a tournament format that may feature as few as six teams and as many as 16 teams as membership grows.

Broadcast partners- The ACFL believes it will build the finest brand of college football. With some of the most powerful brands in collegiate sports, the ACFL Board of Directors expects to solidify a platform of broadcast partners that will provide our members with unmatched coverage. Our broadcast plans will provide every ACFL game to fans through television, online and mobile applications.

Scholarship- All ACFL member schools will provide scholarships at full cost. The system is similar to that of the NCAA with the additional costs provided to cover all academic related expenses. Scholarships are guaranteed for a minimum of two years and may be extended for additional years at the discretion of each league member. Scholarships may be provided up to six years if a member school chooses to and may be used at any time by the player if agreed by school. This provides the player with the opportunity to complete their degree after a career at the professional level.

Roster size: No roster may exceed 70 scholarship players. No specific class ranking may exceed 20 players meaning that no team may have more than 20 seniors at any time on a roster. Teams are permitted to redshirt a player once during their period of eligibility. Period of eligibility in the ACFL runs five years.

Player compensation: All roster players in the ACFL are eligible for a compensation agreement. Roster players include all players on the team’s official scholarship list and ACFL approved roster. Member schools may sign players to a minimum of a one year agreement and a maximum of five years. Schools reserve the right to re-sign or release a player at the completion of that season of play if their agreement has expired. Should a school choose to not re-sign a player for any reason, that player is eligible to be signed by any other ACFL member and be eligible immediately for the following season of play. Players may not be released during a season at any time. Players are subject to suspension for violation of ACFL rules and regulations. Any suspension will result in immediate suspension of all compensation.

Compensation structure: Once a student-athlete reaches a signed agreement with an ACFL member school, the player receives a signing benefit in the amount of $2,000. All ACFL agreements must be approved by the league’s player compensation division which works with member schools on all player payment related items.

Base compensation will be as follows:

--Redshirt/injured player- Any player that is ruled a redshirt before the season or any player ruled injured before the start of the season shall receive: $5,000 to be paid in even monthly installments from August-December

--Freshman- $5,000 to be paid in even monthly installments from August-December

--Sophomore- $10,000 to be paid in even monthly installments from August-December

--Junior- $15,000 to be paid in even monthly installments from August-December

--Senior-$20,000 to be paid in even monthly installments from August-December

The maximum team payment plan could not exceed $950,000 based on the model of no class ranking having more than 20 players. This maximum sample would include 20 seniors(@$20,000), 20 juniors(@$15,000), 20 sophomores(@$10,000) and 10 freshman(@$5,000). This model would also show no redshirt or injured players on the roster. The example above would total $950,000 in player base compensation.

In order for a player to be declared a redshirt, the team must declare his status prior to the start of the first game and he may not play at any time to keep redshirt status. Once the player appears in a game, that player is then transferred to status of active player and is paid a prorated amount based on his class rank for the remainder of the season.

If a player is injured at any time during the season, he receives full payment for that year of play.

The ACFL recognizes that in many situations players with less experience than other roster members will play a more significant role in a team’s performance. That player will have additional revenue opportunities during and after each season of play.

Endorsements: Each ACFL player is eligible for up to three player endorsement contracts. The endorsement contracts are subject to approval by the member school and the ACFL and may not exceed $10,000 per agreement. Each agreement must follow approved ACFL guidelines in relation to use of player likeness and team logo.

Merchandise revenue: Each ACFL member school will share in a league revenue pool, equally split, in relation to merchandise. Each member school will also generate funds through its own merchandise sold. Team players will receive 25% of all school merchandise sold on football related items. Each individual player will receive an additional percentage of revenue generated on items related to their likeness, such as a team numbered jersey. This compensation will increase each year of class ranking with freshmen receiving 10% of specific player related merchandise sold, sophomores receiving 15%, juniors receiving 20% and seniors receiving 25%.

Academic advancement bonus: Each ACFL member player shall receive a bonus for advancing their class rank. New sophomores receive $1,000 while new juniors will receive $2,000 and new seniors shall receive $3,000.

Players must advance their academic schedule in a timely manner or are subject to having their player agreement and scholarship revoked.

Success bonus: The ACFL will provide all post-season tournament teams with a payment bonus based on their performance. This bonus will change as the ACFL expands its membership. A 16-team post-season tournament format would pay participants in the following manner:

--first round participation: $250,000 per team

--quarterfinalists: $500,000 per team

--semifinalists: $750,000 per team

--finalists: $1,000,000 per team

--champion: $1,000,000 to winning team

Total player compensation for 16-team playoff format: $14,000,000. Winning team would receive a total payment of $3,500,000. Divided equally on a 70-man roster, each player of the winning championship team would receive $50,000.

Academic specialty programs: The ACFL is developing programs with member schools that will offer student athletes an opportunity to focus a portion of their education in the areas of sports and sports business. It is our goal to assist in creating educational programs that will allow any student athlete to earn a degree in this area which will allow them to develop skills to assist in their transition from the playing field into the business world.

Business partner development programs: In order to achieve our goal of having our student athletes earn a degree in sports and sports business, we have created a program that allows businesses, both local and national in relation to member schools, to create opportunities for our student athletes. Businesses, in cooperation with the ACFL, will provide in-class instruction, internships and job programs. This will provide student athletes with a real-life experiences and networking opportunities that may lead to career options when their playing days come to an end.

ACFL Players Association: The ACFL believes in a system that benefits all participants and strives to provide the best academic and athletic programs possible. We also believe that players deserve the right to have their voices heard. The creation of the ACFL Players Association is designed to serve as the center of player rights, issues and creative development. Our players are future leaders in a variety of professions and we encourage their participation in improving our league and its vision as well as abilities to grow revenues for all parties. The ACFLPA has limited collective bargaining powers. It may not offer a work stoppage to its members as a means of negotiation. All player agreements are with the ACFL. However, the ACFLPA offers a variety of advantages to its members. The ACFLPA works directly with the ACFL Board of Directors in areas such as; revenue distribution, corporate sponsorships and individual player endorsements.  In addition, the ACFLPA will develop a variety of off-season programs that will give players the opportunity to work with members of our Business Development Program as well as public appearances and permissible endorsement opportunities. All players in the ACFL may choose to be a member of the ACFL, but are not obligated. Those who choose to not become a member may not receive any monetary benefit the ACFLPA and ACFL provide aside from their player agreement. All members of the ACFL are required to provide a percentage of their player agreement as an association fee All fees are used to operate the ACFLPA office. The percentage breakdown is as follows:

--Freshmen 2%

--Sophomore 3%

--Juniors 4%

--Seniors 5%

The ACFL recognizes our requirements and policies may not be for every school and its football team. Our league is designed for a unique program that strives to play at the highest level and play in a system that recognizes the development of college football over many years and how the business model has changed. Many of our members will have advantages that other programs might not enjoy such as geographical location, corporate communities, fan support and facilities. The NCAA has offered a model for college football that has worked for many of its members and will likely offer a model for many years to come. We encourage schools that do not fit our model and vision to continue as a member of the NCAA if that system best suits your needs and goals. There are many good friends of ours that work with and for the NCAA and our goal is to not raid their membership, but offer an alternative to the current model and create an option that we believe better fits the highest caliber programs of today.

We are excited about this newest brand of college football and look forward to the announcement of additional members in the coming weeks and months.

In addition, we feel this opportunity is also the time to answer some of the rumors about our plans to expand beyond football. Over the last 30 days, the Board of Directors has finalized details of the ACBL, the American College Basketball League. We have started the application process and expect announcements about membership and league structure over the course of the next 45-60 days. At that time we will also introduce our new ACBL Commissioner and provide details of our new television partnership.

The ACFL is the creation of the author of this document. It is one’s man idea in addressing the growing issues of college football today. While it is easy to criticize the system we have, few offer solutions. Perhaps the ACFL is a solution. The author acknowledges that there are many issues of starting a new brand of college football that may have not been addressed but the above document creates a starting point in relation to making change. Heck, if anything, it’s fun to talk about. The two names used in the story are worth noting. Rick Chryst is a real person and I picked his name because the guy was a brilliant visionary when he was the commissioner of the MAC. He did things to get his league exposure when no one wanted it exposed. He was ahead of his time in regards to online broadcasts and seemed to understand how to execute a plan. If the ACFL ever come into existence, Chryst would be a heck of a choice to run the league. The name James William comes from taking the legal first and middle names of former UM coach Jimmy Johnson. Heck, he’d be a great choice if the position of president opened up at Miami. For the record, we’d like to name Jay Bilas commissioner of the ACBL. We think Bilas gets it in relation to the change necessary. Change is good and change is dangerous. What we think is so simple is far from it and what we want is not always what we get.