The info given here is quite accurate, albeit just the tip of the iceberg. The NFL is the NFL and we are not. That is the long and the short of it. It would take deep pockets and a solid, existing market share to get a license from them.

On another issue, I have frequently read in past posts where people have said "the NFL should thank us for promoting their product(s). We are doing them a favor." As far as they and common sense are concerned, nothing could be farther from the truth. THEY (the nfl and the ncaa) are billion dollar businesses. That is Billion with a B. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars for their promotions. Those promotions are executed by paid professionals. I know of no one in this hobby that works for a production or marketing company at that level. So, as far as they are concerned, we are not qualified to promote, let alone legally licensed to do so. When we step on their toes and refuse to say "sorry," we become a pain in their butts. That is not a smart method in attempting to show or to get their support. It is better to have them shake our hands than to force them to feel like they need to shake us (the community) up. "Don't poke the friggin bear."

Some, if not a lot, of us knew these things quite some time ago. That is the reason that I agreed to get on-board with the development of the High Voltage League. All founders, including myself, agreed to form a venue independent of big ticket licensing entities (nfl, ncaa, etc.). We can take the show where ever we choose, without licensing restrictions. Each coach has complete ownership and intellectual property rights (at the very least) over the team(s) they have created.

Getting an NFL or NCAA license eventually (if not immediately) requires doing what they want done, they way they want it done. We, the NHFL, have been and will continue to do things they way we want them done. No permission(s) required. Much the same can be said for the MFCA. It too is without big ticket licensing restrictions.

I am a big football fan, including both the NFL and the NCAA. I would love to see either or both lift us up. But we (the hobby at large) have stepped on their toes so often I doubt it's gonna happen again without a LOT of reform.

I am by no means saying one way is better than they other. But when it comes to getting things done, we have a choice on which way we want to roll. Personally, I prefer to roll without licensing restrictions whenever possible. Plus I can not afford to pay the fee to roll down their tracks, in their direction, at their speed. And for what? Under those circumstances, I like the way I'm rollin' just fine.

All that said, it sure would benefit US if we had a better relationship with both the NFL and the NCAA. We certainly need them more they ever need or needed us. But as Rich stated, the hobby can and should stand on its own. I.E., as an independent entity. Or not......

-Mike Pratt