2011 NFL Lockout: Time For A UFL Emergence?

Prior to the owners instituting the 2011 NFL Lockout, we saw various battles waged in the media between the owners and players. Now that the lockout is officially on, it appears as though things are likely to get worse before they get better. However, as it gets worse, an alternative does exist, at least for the short term. If the NFL and NFLPA made the absolutely bone-headed decision to carry this dispute into the 2011 NFL season, is it possible for the United Football League to gain some traction with football fans?

Yesterday morning I posed this question as a tweet to see what people were thinking. I got a mix of responses with some folks ready to watch any football available, and others devoted to the NFL. I figured it was time to pose this question to folks here at Niners Nation. This was based in large part on Matt Barrows column about the UFL and the Sacramento Mountain Lions. It's not quite a Bay area football team, but if the lockout lasts into the upcoming season, your only football alternatives are college football and the UFL.

The UFL finds itself in a tricky position. On the one hand they've said they want to develop into a feeder league for the NFL. On the other hand, this is a chance to build some serious credibility with football fans. The league is considering options that include developing "loaner contracts" with NFL players, and potentially moving the league start date up to sometime in August. Whatever their long term goals, the next six months present arguably a once in a lifetime opportunity for the league.

However, they decide to pursue this situation, will you consider watching the UFL to get a football fix? If NFL players started playing in the UFL in the short, what are your thoughts on that? There are so many potential issues that could develop courtesy of this lockout.