UConn-Notre Dame: Like No Other

November 23, 2009

Nearly two years passed from the announcement that UConn would play Notre Dame until this past Saturday.  During this time the conversation over these teams focused on sports business issues.   Why wouldn’t Notre Dame play UConn at Rentschler Field?  If UConn played Notre Dame at Giants’ Stadium, how would the gate be split?  If UConn played Notre Dame at Gillette Stadium how would the State feel about lining Robert Kraft’s pockets, after he committed to move the Patriots to Hartford and later reneged?  What gave Notre Dame the right to insist upon such special treatment? 

On Saturday, none of those business issues mattered.  UConn fans were spotted all over Notre Dame’s campus.  Huskies fans were walking around the quad.  Shopping at the enormous Notre Dame bookstore.  Praying at the Basilica and the Grotto.  Taking pictures of Touchdown Jesus.  Tailgating in the parking lots.  And Notre Dame fans and staff treated UConn fans with hospitality that defies explanation.  We were no exception. 

While waiting in line for former Notre Dame QB Tony Rice’s autograph, a Notre Dame staff member approached us to make sure we were enjoying our visit.  When we disrupted the line by asking for a picture with Rice, the security guard didn’t only allow us to stop the procession – he took the picture for us – but not before asking former Irish running back Allen Pinkett to jump into the shot.

Sitting square in the middle of Irish country at the game, the Notre Dame fans couldn’t have been more courteous (although their displeasure with the state of Notre Dame football was overwhelmingly clear).  After Dixon had not one, but two, fourth quarter scores called back for holding, a couple of fans apologetically explained that should the Irish win, it could only be because of good luck.  After Dixon’s game-winning touchdown, the fans in our section stated that UConn deserved to win and wished us well.  We didn’t hear a single fan use profanity during what was a frustrating game for the Irish faithful.

On more than one occasion, I’ve noted that the allure of playing Notre Dame is unbeatable mystique but a beatable football team.  UConn  proved the latter to be true.  As to mystique,  where else do the stadium ushers approach you and ask if they can take your picture, and even direct you so that the best angle of the stadium is captured?  Where else can you meet a national championship winning QB, view seven Heisman trophies and then say a prayer at the Grotto or Basilica?  Where else can attending a football game be such a fulfilling experience?  Only at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame has more than mystique.  Notre Dame and its fans have a genuine appreciation of the game of football and that appreciation extends to the treatment of the fans of the opposing team.   That much was evident on Saturday.  UConn fans not only witnessed the arrival of UConn’s Division I football program but did so with a historic and unparalleled backdrop.

Following the game, we stopped for a burger and beer at the legendary CJ’s Pub in South Bend.  I emailed a colleague who was at the game, and asked if he was enjoying himself.  His response: “Like no other!”  He could have been talking about the game or the experience.  Both were unforgettable.

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Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

UConn-Notre Dame: “That was for Jazz”

November 23, 2009

“That was for Jazz”, UConn running back Andre Dixon appeared to proclaim while walking off the field following his game-winning touchdown in Saturday’s thrilling double-overtime victory over Notre Dame.  UConn Head Coach Randy Edsall echoed similar sentiments in his post-game interview, in which he talked about sending the game ball to the family of Jasper Howard. 

But this game – unquestionably the most important victory of UConn’s Division I program – was not only for Jazz.  It was for every UConn player.   The Huskies lost a teammate, a brother and a friend in Howard.  Their efforts to honor Howard on the football field fell just short in three consecutive, agonizing losses.  At Notre Dame, however, there was triumph.  There was relief.  There were tears of joy.  All on a campus at which football and religion are intertwined and sometimes indistinguishable from each other.

Following the game, Huskies fans congregated outside of the gates of the House that Rockne Built, waiting for the UConn players and coaches to emerge.  Fans blended with family and friends of UConn players in a joyous scene.  Autographs were signed, pictures were snapped, and hugs were exchanged. 

In the backdrop of UConn’s post-game congregation, the Hesburgh Library bearing the depiction of Touchdown Jesus was lit against the night’s sky.  Perhaps that reminded them of their teammate to whom they dedicated this win.

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Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

UConn to Play in Shadow of Touchdown Jesus on Saturday

November 20, 2009

It’s been long road to South Bend for the UConn football program.  Twenty months ago I wrote my first article about the possibility of a football series between UConn and Notre Dame, UCONN-Notre Dame: How Far Should UConn Go to Play in the House that Rockne Built?.  At that time, details of the contract negotiations between the universities became public and were subject to considerable debate.  Especially the fact that Notre Dame sought a deal under which UConn would play its home games at Giants Stadium or Gillette Stadium, but not Rentschler Field.  Members of the Connecticut General Assembly even attempted to pass legislation prohibiting UConn from playing home games away from The Rent.

What ultimately followed was a 1-game contract for a game at South Bend this coming Saturday.  All bets are off for a long-term deal.  Perhaps due to the fact that Saturday’s game might be UConn’s only trip to South Bend, there has been some terrific coverage of UConn-Notre Dame.  Here are some of my favorites:

Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant wrote a great article on UConn QB Zach Frazer’s return to Notre Dame in Frazer Needs To Stay A Kid At Heart At ND.  If you read one article, read this one.

Desmond Conner of the Hartford Courant posed a question on his blog: What Does UConn-Notre Dame Football Mean to You.  Check out the comments.

Although this article by ESPN.com’s Kieran Darcy is a few years old, it truly captures the experience of attending a Notre Dame football game: When Irish eyes are smiling

Sox & Dawgs has gathered some of the best links in its 11/18 and 11/19 “Paw Prints” posts.

For Connecticut Sports Law’s coverage of UConn-Notre Dame, see the following posts:

UConn-Notre Dame: How Far Should Notre Dame Go to Play in the House that Rockne Built?

UConn Football: Series With Notre Dame Still Under Consideration

UConn v. Notre Dame Update: General Assembly Clears Path to South Bend

Revisiting the UConn-Notre Dame Football Series

UConn-Notre Dame Series May Be Dead

I hope to see some of you in South Bend this weekend.

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Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

High Court Punts Washington Redskins Trademark Case

November 19, 2009

The Washington Redskins have finally prevailed in a decade-long legal attack upon its nickname and logo.  In the case of Pro Football v. Harjo, the US Supreme Court chose not to review a lower court’s decision that the plaintiffs’ claims were barred by the doctrine of laches  – a common law remedy that operates similar to a statute of limitations.  In other words, the plaintiffs waited too long to challenge the trademark.

Gene Quinn of IP Watchdog has posted an excellent summary of this case, and its long history.  Attorney Quinn explains why the Supreme Court took a pass on hearing this appeal:

It is impossible to know why the Supreme Court did not decide to hear this case, that information is known only to the Justices on the Supreme Court. What is known, however, is that there were not 4 Justices who wanted to hear the case, which is why it was not accepted by the Supreme Court. I do still continue to believe that the right legal decision has been reached here in this case. There simply was no evidence to support the challenge and the [Trademark Trial and Appeals Board] should never have ruled as they did. While we can argue over whether the term “Redskin” is disparaging, and it almost certainly is disparaging, in order for the plaintiffs to prevail the law would have had to be ignored, and evidence from years after the fact would have needed to be relied upon in exchange for evidence in existence at the relevant time, namely the time or registration.

Click here to read Attorney Quinn’s article in its entirety.

This article is cross-posted at Connecticut Technology & Intellectual Property.

Thanks to Connecticut Sports Law readers Gregg and Dan for the links.

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Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

Why Not Us? – Five Things Hartford Needs to Be Major League Again

November 18, 2009

By Dan Canavan

In an era where Jacksonville, Memphis, and Oklahoma City host major league franchises, Hartford sports fans are asking themselves: Why not us?  Here are 5 steps that can bring the big leagues back to Connecticut.

 1. New Building. The XL Center is at the end of its useful life and falls well below major league standards.  Without a new facility, no professional team will entertain Hartford as a legitimate candidate for relocation.  The XL Center would be a significant downgrade as compared to almost all other professional venues, and as currently configured, the arena would preclude any hope of franchise profitability.  The lone concourse is cramped, luxury seating is outdated, and vending and restrooms facilities are inadequate.  Regardless, a new facility is needed for UConn basketball, NCAA tournaments and non-athletic events.  The longer plans for a new building are sidelined, the more expensive it will become to ultimately build a facility.  If so, the XL Center, and any hope of major league sports in Hartford, may share the same fate as the former New Haven Coliseum.  The XL Center has served us well, but refusing to replace it will forever bar the return of major league sports to central Connecticut.

 2. Ownership Group:  Unlike minor league sports that peddle affordable family entertainment, a big league owner needs to win.  And to win at the major league level, an ownership group will need to spend big league money.  Hartford will need to attract a committed ownership group that will be willing to weather the inevitable financial difficulty over the short-term, while fielding an entertaining and competitive product over the long-term. 

 3. Local Corporate Support:  Any major league team in Connecticut will need significant and dedicated corporate support over the life of the franchise.  The lack of corporate sponsorship helped kill the Whalers in the mid-90s, threatened to eliminate the Travelers Championship in 2004 and again in 2006, and may very well eradicate the Pilot Pen Tournament in New Haven in 2010.  Even with a new building and a motivated ownership group, no team will have success here without the support of local corporate sponsors.

4. Portable Franchise:  Franchises are routinely bought and sold, and there is no question that teams are available and will continue to become available as the economy recovers.  Major league expansion is either unrealistic or too expensive.  The trick will be to find a financially struggling franchise that can be moved, unwind long term obligations, and relocate the team, free of preexisting liabilities, to a new building and revenue streams in central Connecticut. 

 5. Perception: If Hartford doesn’t believe that it’s a big league town, no one else will.  It’s time for Hartford to start believing that it can be major league again.

Dan Canavan is an attorney in Hartford, Connecticut.  He has appeared as an on-air guest with regard to the NHL and the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy proceedings on CBC Radio’s World Report.  Dan’s analysis and commentary have also been published in various media outlets including The National Post, The Windsor Star, The Star Phoenix, The Montreal Gazette, The Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Vancouver Sun, The Province, Faceoff.com, and the Sports Litigation Alert, a leading sports industry publication which is circulated throughout the United States.  Dan is also the Carolina Hurricanes correspondent for The Hockey Writers.  You can follow Dan on Twitter @DanielRCanavan, and he can be contacted directly at dcanavan@ctsportsgroup.com or at (860) 665-3276.

4 Comments | Hartford Whalers, Pro Sports in Connecticut, Professional Sports in Hartford | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

Sports Law Careers: Lewis Howes on Breaking Into Sports

November 17, 2009

If you’re looking to break into the sports industry, in a legal or non-legal role, Lewis Howes’ Sports Networker blog should be on your list of favorites.  Lewis recently posted a video that provides a response to a commonly asked question: “how do I get a job in sports?” 

1 Comment | Sports Law Careers | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

Connecticut 6 Classic Joins State’s Sports Scene

November 14, 2009

ffd-ajohnsonThe past two nights have brought two fresh events to the Connecticut sports scene.  On one end of the spectrum, professional football visited Hartford in the form of the United Football League (UFL).  At the opposite end, six college basketball teams kicked off a showcase of Division I teams not named UConn.

Inspired by the fifty-five year old “Philadelphia Big 5″, the similarly named Connecticut 6 is designed to shine a light upon the State’s mid-majors.  But that’s not the sole objective of the Connecticut 6.  A few weeks ago, when asked about the event, Yale coach James Jones spoke of the bond between the Philadelphia schools and their respective coaches.  “They’re thick as thieves” said Jones.  One could imply that the Connecticut 6 schools hope that, over time, a similar bond can develop.

But tonight, the focus was on the present.  The focus was on Yale vs. Sacred Heart; Fairfield vs. Central Connecticut; and Quinnipiac vs. Hartford.  The focus was whether the Connecticut 6 could drum up interest in the state’s mid-majors.  Was it successful?

johnston-quuinnipiacMuch like Thursday’s UFL game, it is far too early to judge.  Attendance appeared between 25-40 percent capacity of the 10,000-seat Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, thinning out before the final game of the triple-header.  The games were competitive and spirited; Sacred Heart outlasted Yale, 92 to 86; Fairfield beat Central Connecticut 67 to 58; and Quinnipiac pulled way from Hartford for a 85-74 victory. 

Also similar to the UFL, there is some room for improvement.  Marketing efforts were sparse.  It seemed that there was little mention of the Connecticut 6 from its announcement in May, to the recent launch of the Connecticut 6 website.  Some fans mentioned being unable to locate the official website, and had trouble finding the actual start times for the games.

Scheduling conflicts also posed problems.  As the Courant’s Jeff Jacobs noted before the event:

The Huskies open tonight against William & Mary and even if the Tribe only bring along Mary, there’s little doubt the primary attention will be on Gampel Pavilion. Forget UConn or anything on TV. There’s also No. 3 Cornell at No. 12 Yale in hockey, Harvard at No. 20 Quinnipiac in hockey and all sorts of high school football for competition at the gate. Affecting the Fairfield student crowd, there’s a 4 p.m. Stags MAAC semifinal soccer game, too. (Click here to read Jacobs’ entire article on the Connecticut 6).

Although not perfect, the Connecticut 6 has potential.  The event moves to Mohegan Sun for the next two years, which should attract additional interest.  With a year’s head start, hopefully the Connecticut 6 schools put forth a greater marketing effort for next year.  Nevertheless, the Connecticut 6 is a welcome addition to the Connecticut sports scene.  If the event can recreate a fraction of the success of the Philadelphia Big 5, the schools of the Connecticut 6 will have achieved something.

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Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

Come to the UFL in Hartford – I Swear its Fun

November 13, 2009

ufl2A few years back the City of Hartford launched an advertising campaign designed to attract more young people to live and work in the City.  One of the more infamous promotions included a billboard placed on I-84 that read “Come to Hartford. I swear, it’s fun.”  The billboard was derided as an indictment of people’s expectations for Hartford.  And people implied the exact opposite of the intended message.

As to whether professional sports will return to Hartford, low expectations persist.  To some, the old Hartford Whalers jerseys that are worn around the area, and even at UConn football games, indicate desperation for more sporting options.  Professional sports in particular.  And now the location of a United Football League (UFL) franchise in Hartford appears to be a foregone conclusion.  But the question remains, is Hartford so starved for professional sports that it will immediately support the UFL?

Last night’s game at Rentschler Field was the first step in answering that question.  Attendance was low – announced as 5, 201 – and the first level midfield chair back seats were not even full.  This figure was well below the league average of about 12,000 and initial projections of 20,000 for the league.  However, the UFL has acknowledged that it did little to market the leagues games.  And it appeared that the UFL did even less to market this particular game in which the New York Sentinels played a “home” game in East Hartford, Connecticut.   It also didn’t help that Miley Cyrus played the XL Center in downtown Hartford, while UConn held a tribute for Jasper Howard, who starred on the same field that the UFL hopes to someday call home.

Nevertheless, UFL Commissioner Michael Hugyhue acknowledges that the league is still in an experimental phase.  Huyghue sees great potential for football in Hartford as evidenced by UConn’s success.  Of course the fact that a UFL team will already have a first-class stadium in place is half the battle (and also one of the primary reasons that the Whalers left town and the Wolf Pack posts low attendance numbers.)  It’s worth noting that in addition to Huyghue, both coaches, Jim Haslett for Florida and Ted Cottrell for New York, commented on the virtues of Rentschler Field.  Although the UFL won’t rely on gate receipts to make money, the gate will provide a barometer of community enthusiasm.

While Hartford may prove to be an excellent home to UFL franchise, the UFL will need to do more than turn on the lights and watch the fans flock to the game.  There are other options for football, even beyond UConn, in this state.  (See my article UFL Update: Is Connecticut an Under Served Football Market?)  A UFL team will need to market heavily and create ties to the local community.

Last night’s game proved that there are other entertainment options in the Greater Hartford area.  But it also proved that there is some enthusiasm for a Hartford franchise.  With proper marketing the UFL could become one of those options.  And I swear last night’s game was fun.

 

 

1 Comment | Connecticut Local News, Pro Sports in Connecticut, Professional Sports in Hartford, UFL | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

True Color of Hartford’s UFL Fans Remains to be Seen

November 13, 2009

By Dan Canavan

uflWhile sitting in the Rentschler Field press box preparing for Thursday night’s UFL contest, my colleague Dan Fitzgerald leaned over and whispered: “which team is which?”   The teams had just run out on to the field through a pyrotechnic display, and with all the pregame excitement, press box buffet and Doug Flutie sighting, we lost sight of the fact that neither squad was really Hartford’s team.  And I’m sure that many of the 5,201 fans in attendance were asking themselves that very same question.

The crowd was sparse, the teams unknown and players unfamiliar.  But football is football.  And the UFL didn’t disappoint.  There were big hits and sacks, play action passes and even some wildcat formations.  And there was plenty of tailgating and cold beers to go around.  From the outset, Florida dominated, showing why they are 5-0 and headed for post-season play.  While Brooks Bollinger carved up the New York secondary and running back Tatum Bell was pushing his way across the goal line, the Sentinels were sloppy, failing to post a touchdown and limited to only a pair of field goals.

UFL_HelmetDesigns_SentinelsAlthough it is still unclear what role this league may ultimately play in the landscape of professional sports, it appears that the UFL may be headed to Hartford full-time next season.  It was widely reported Thursday that the UFL will soon announce a Hartford expansion franchise for the 2010 season.  The UFL has local ties, and league officials understand this market. 

League Commissioner Michael Huyghue attended Windsor High School, and is a great advocate for Connecticut sports.  To hear him speak about football is to hear enthusiasm – both for the UFL and the Hartford market.  Huyghue is a football guy, deeply involved in NFL Europe.  And unlike those other fallen football leagues, the UFL is built to succeed.  The UFL follows a central ownership model, with the league owning a 50% stake in of all of the franchises.  The league’s economic model places an emphasis on TV revenue and sponsorship, not on gate revenue. Thus, when the UFL announces its Hartford expansion franchise, only half of the risk will fall on the local ownership group.  And while ticket sales will be important, mediocre gate receipts won’t be fatal.

UFL_HelmetDesigns_TuskersFor some local sports fans, the UFL Hartford franchise will be nothing more than another minor league team to compliment the Rock Cats and Wolf Pack.  But to others, especially those that yearn for a major league franchise in the Greater Hartford area, the UFL will be viewed as a springboard to bigger and better things.  Perhaps an opportunity for Hartford to display its sports savvy on a larger stage, a stage that will be aired nationally on Versus and HDNet.

Much like this whole season, Thursday’s UFL matchup at Rentschler Field was an exhibition.  On the field, fringe players were testing their talent; off the field, the league was testing the Rentschler experience.  At the end of the game, the team in black jerseys lost to the players wearing teal.  But the true color of Hartford’s UFL fans will remain to be seen.

dan_canavan1Dan Canavan is an attorney in Hartford, Connecticut.  He has appeared as an on-air guest with regard to the NHL and the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy proceedings on CBC Radio’s World Report.  Dan’s analysis and commentary have also been published in various media outlets including The National Post, The Windsor Star, The Star Phoenix, The Montreal Gazette, The Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Vancouver Sun, The Province, Faceoff.com, and the Sports Litigation Alert, a leading sports industry publication which is circulated throughout the United States.  Dan is also the Carolina Hurricanes correspondent for The Hockey Writers.  You can follow Dan on Twitter @DanielRCanavan, and he can be contacted directly at dcanavan@ctsportsgroup.com or at (860) 665-3276.

2 Comments | Connecticut Local News, National Hockey League, Pro Sports in Connecticut, Professional Sports in Hartford, UFL | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

Commissioner Huyghue Discusses UFL at Rentschler Field

November 13, 2009

CommishUFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue spoke to the assembled media at Rentschler Field on a variety of items concerning the business of  the UFL.  Here are some notes and highlights from the discussion:

Single Entity

The UFL employs a single entity business model.  All teams share a single training facility and one General Manager handles personnel matters for all four UFL teams.  This model has allowed the league to control costs.  In fact, Commissioner Huyghue commented that the UFL’s Premiere Season has been run for a quarter of the cost of NFL Europe fifteen years ago.

Franchise Ownership

The league owns fifty-percent of each of the current franchises, and will own fifty-percent of future franchises, including Hartford.

Potential Hartford Franchise

Commissioner Huyghue sees an opportunity for success in Hartford.  First and foremost, Hartford is an attractive location because of  the existence of a first class venue, Rentschler Field.  Commissioner Huyghue didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of playing at the Yale Bowl, but said of Rentschler Field ”we love this place.”   He also cited the region’s interest in football as evidenced by the success of UConn football.  With respect to professional teams in other sports that have called Connecticut home, Commissioner Huyghue believes that football is an easier sell to fans than other sports.

Players

ufl1The UFL is natural place for fourth and fifth year NFL players who have yet to earn a starting job, but whose minimum salaries keep rising.  It’s difficult for NFL teams to keep these players when they can be replaced by younger, less expensive players.  In addition, Commissioner Huyghue believes that sixth and seventh round picks in the NFL Draft might find the UFL a preferable alternative to the bottom of an NFL roster.  The UFL can offer an opportunity for real playing time and exposure.

Collaboration with NFL

Commissioner Huyghue is clear that the UFL is positioned to complement, not complete with, the NFL.  And he thinks that the NFL already sees the benefit of players gaining experience and getting more tape on UFL players.  In addition, Commissioner Huyghue notes that the UFL front office staff has extensive experience with the NFL and implied that the lines of communication between the leagues are open.

Leave a Comment » | NFL Draft, National Football League, Pro Sports in Connecticut, Professional Sports in Hartford, UFL | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dan Fitzgerald

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