The ultimate sporting landscape was all abuzz in early 2018 with a new, groundbreaking concept of a mixed gender semi-professional Ultimate Frisbee league.
Conceived and promoted by Savage Apparel Company’s founder, Todd Curran, the United Ultimate League (UUL) promised to breathe fresh life into the sport, putting a premium on gender equity, community outreach, and preserving the Spirit of the Game.
A Bold Vision
The announcement of the UUL sparked enthusiasm and raised hopes among ultimate fans and players alike. The blueprint of the UUL differed significantly from its existing counterparts. It aimed to bring a six-on-six mixed gender competition, maintaining a 3:3 male:female ratio, unprecedented in the semi-professional ultimate arena.
The UUL intended to conduct its operations in a player-centric and community-driven manner, planning to launch two divisions comprising four teams each. The North Division was set to include teams from Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. The South Division was to host teams from Carolina, Nashville, Atlanta, and Florida.
The UUL also proposed a unique game format. Timed games with a running clock, akin to soccer, were to be incorporated, enhancing spectator friendliness. The league would offer an exceptional game day experience, including a youth clinic and two featured games.
Financial Challenges
Despite the optimistic blueprint, the financial realities of launching a new league presented significant hurdles. The UUL aimed to secure at least $50,000 through a Kickstarter campaign to fund its inaugural season. The league’s financial strategy banked heavily on crowd-funding and community support, with stretch goals offering the possibility of additional divisions.
The financial model was intended to keep costs under control. Team locations were selected with driving distances in mind to reduce travel expenses. Curran’s aspiration for the first year was to make a ‘no pay to play’ league, with the player’s uniforms and travel costs to be covered by the league’s fund.
An Unfulfilled Dream
However, as the Kickstarter campaign did not reach its target, the United Ultimate League never came to be. The vibrant promise and forward-thinking vision of the UUL captivated the Ultimate community, but unfortunately, the financial support necessary for the league to move forward was not realized.
While the UUL’s plans stirred excitement and seemed like a welcome change from the existing ultimate landscape, the reality was that its revolutionary model was a gamble. The experiment of balancing gender equity, maintaining the Spirit of the Game, and creating an entirely new format needed substantial backing to be actualized.
Despite its failure to secure the necessary funding, the UUL was a beacon of ambition and progress in the sport of Ultimate. It aimed to create a community-driven, inclusive league that put gender equity at its core. It endeavored to show that Ultimate Frisbee can be more than just a sport; it can be an instrument of societal change.
Although the UUL was not realized, its concept sparked conversations and debate about the future direction of Ultimate. Its ambitious vision may have been too good to be true, but it undoubtedly left an imprint on the minds of the ultimate community and, perhaps, will influence the shape of the sport in the years to come.