Norfolk prepares for UFL team in 2011

Norfolk, Va. (WAVY.com) - Credit the popularity of Old Dominion University's football comeback for Norfolk's "touchdown" with the United Football League.

Hampton Roads Sports Commission Executive Director Jack Ankerson said he got the call from Virginia businessman Jim Speros a few months ago.

"They were describing exactly what they were going to do, what they wanted to do," said Ankerson.

The UFL's conditional approval means Norfolk would host the league's sixth team beginning in 2011. It would join teams from California to Florida and plans to call Redskins Quarterback Doug Williams in as general manager.

Norfolk has had well publicized failures with professional sports in the past, but Ankerson thinks football will be a better fit.

"The United Football league is not the NFL. I don't think anybody is selling it as the NFL. I think what has happened is unprecedented early success with football at Old Dominion and the belief that this market has an unsatiable appetite for football."

But is it an appetite the city can fill? UFL officials looked at the facilities at Norfolk State, Harbor Park and Old Dominion. ODU's athletic director Dr. Wood Selig would love to see football grow, but the Monarchs come first.

"They have not requested any formal meeting with ODU. So we're not quite sure exactly what their space needs would be, what their timelines would be, what they're requirements would be from a facility's standpoint," said Selig.

The region is hungry for sports, but fielding this play could take some time.

"We have obviously a very successful Triple A baseball franchise here, Admirals hockey is a Triple A level doing very well, and short of the NFL, the UFL I think is probably an affordable one, and I think that is very key here as well," said Ankerson.

Ankerson said tickets could run between $20 and $100. The next step is to find a place to play.