CHICAGO -- The owner and coach of the Chicago Blitz football team said the National Footbal League strike is not likely to benefit the fledgling U.S. Football League.
'The strike is not a factor with the Blitz or the United States Football League,' Coach George Allen said Wednesday.
'People have already forgotten the baseball strike so this strike won't affect our team or our league.'
The NFL strike could affect the USFL only if it lasted all season, Allen said.
But he added, 'I don't look for a long strike -- maybe two or three weeks. That would just take us back to our old 14-game schedule. There was some great football played in that 14-game schedule.'
The former NFL coach said he sympathizes with both management and the players.
'There is no question the players are grossly underpaid,' Allen said. 'The players have a legitimate gripe in striking.'
But he said the players' initial demand, later abandoned, for a percentage of the owners' gross was out of order.
Allen said he felt some teams would benefit from a brief strike if it allows them to bypass tough opponents or if it allows injured players to heal.
'It's a break for some and a disadvantage for others,' Allen said.
The USFL is scheduled to begin play next March.
