Creating Viewership-Sharing Shootout-based Leagues

[Reginald Rutledge]

The NFL is a league based on revenue-generation and sharing to some extent. I remember in the mid-90s, Jerry Jones orchestrated a deal with Nike and Coke. The NFL was not too happy with that because simply, the revenue from those deals were not shared equally among NFL franchises. The Dallas Cowboys owner set a precedent with his ability to market his team to get the very best deal for his team.

Today, I think we set on the cusp of creating that same type of impact (but on a much smaller scale). Yes, the technology is not fool proof but it can be effective. In a recent broadcast I had of a miniature football on a Saturday night, I had 31 viewers log on. For what I do, that was a record. Because I could not afford to spend out on an unlimited amount of viewers, many people got bumped off. The bandwidth would not allow for such a large amount of viewers. I have no problems taking a risk in spending on this type of thing but let's face it, a lot of people want to be able to watch stuff for free, not understanding it cost to put shows on.

Anyways, it was an enlightment that what I theorized could actually work. It takes a lot of hard work, people willing to play the parts, and entertainment value. One coach even watched on his 70 inch Plasma screen with his son! His wife thought he was crazy! But to him, he was watching real football. It was entertaining and he could follow the plays.

That type of feedback is most important to take the next step. In the DFW, we have many characters. Some, you guys have never heard of. Some, you may have heard of. But having "larger than life" coaches is all so important to making something like this work.

If you play in a league that has a Norbert Revels, Patrick Morris, Biglock, Michigan Joe, Mantaray 'Dre, Vince Peatros, Michael Robertson, Joel "The Cookin' Coach" Pritchard, among others playing, it creates attention. That attention translates into viewership from a national perspective. Everyone will be interested to see how "Norby" fits into that league or hope that a Peatros loose! It's a running soap opera! But people would be glued to their internet TV stations!

I have had customizing shows on the internet! Guys are definitely interested in learning how to customize! One show brought me 15 viewers one night! I have even had "Premium" shows for customers who are dedicated to what I do. Guys get to ask questions on camera and it becomes fun.

I was interested in doing a show on running the "West Coast Offense". I still may do that as well. Things like this do work as the word spreads about what you are doing.

Right now, we are in the conceptual stages of putting together some Shootout Rules-based shows to air on the FF.COM network. I think it would be awesome if I can pull off the programming! It does not only include game action but videos on tweaking, painting, playbooks, and customizing. If you want to contribute to this new generation programming, please let me know. You don't even have to be a Shootout-based league. If you have some video of games in your league and want to show the world what goes on in your league, send me an email or PM.

It is just around the corner!

Reg