A New Professional Football League Kicks Off May 23rd!
- WatchDog
- May 20
- 2 min read
A new football league is launching this weekend called the Continental Football League (COFL). It is the spiritual successor of the original Continental Football League that ran from 1965-1969. The goal of this league is to act as a true minor league system. Aiming to serve as a tier 3 league like Double AA for the MLB and the ECHL for the NHL. They want to give overlooked players a platform to move up to the NFL, CFL and UFL. To help with this, they have instituted a rule called the “The Continental Shift”. What this means is the first 3 quarters are played like your standard NFL football rules. But in the 4th quarter, The Continental Shift occurs and the rulebook is shifted more closely to that of Canadian counterparts in the CFL. A couple differences this brings is that teams will have 3 downs instead of 4 to move the chains, defensive linemen must be lined up a yard off the line of scrimmage, a 20 second play clock, no fair catches, and forward motion is allowed. This rule allows for players to get tape for multiple leagues, and makes it more difficult for teams with a lead to run out the clock. It will force more aggressive play in the 4th quarter and if executed properly should keep fans more engaged.
The league’s attendance goal is 3,000+ fans per game. They say if that happens they will be profitable. They have a merchandise store they’re building online if you want to buy some gear. And as of now, no streaming partner has been announced.
Each team can bring in 50 players to camp. Half of them must be between the ages of 18-25. Showing they’re placing an emphasis on development and sending guys up. They also are trying to connect with each local community by requiring each team brings in at least 5 “local” players. Which are guys who played high school or college ball in the area.
The commissioner for this league is former CFL head coach Mike Kelly. The league will play 6 week regular season followed by a 2 week playoff featuring the top two teams in each division playing each other for a shot to go the championship. The teams in this league are below in a heavily regionalized format.
I always say more professional football is a good thing. And I hope it will be a sustainable way for players to get more tape.
The weekend preseason schedule has all 4 games being played May 23rd at 7pm ct.
The Games will be streamed on the United Football Media's Youtube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@UnitedFootballMedia
Continental Football League Website:
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