The majority of the league players are on fully incentive based contracts. As result of the pay scale the league is subject to criticism, as some openly called it "a scam".[2]
Initially Hines announced that the league will have five teams: Akron Blaze, Chicago Kings, Detroit Cougars, Indianapolis Racers and Southern Michigan Mustangs. At the time, Hines indicated that he was sole owner and would continue as such for the league's first stage before selling franchises. In the end, only two teams played in the first season, Macomb County Bearcats and Detroit Cougars. The Cougars were first season champions, and according to the league, 14 league players end up getting other pro opportunities: four players tried out for the NFL and 10 others earned CFL workouts.[4]
In April 2015, the league indicated two more Michigan teams, Pontiac Generals and Oakland County Racers, with two stadium as game sites, Mount Clemens High School and Wisner Stadium in Pontiac.[5] The Cougars won their second championship, and their star player, DeAndre Smith, signed a $64,100 three-year performance-based contract with the Generals.[6]
For the 2016 season the league added four teams in Miami area: Miami Blaze, Atlantic Sharks, Florida Wolves and South Beach Silverbacks.
For the 2018 season the league added four teams in Georgia: Atlanta Sting, Cobb County Kings, Georgia Power and Peachtree Heat.
in the 2019 season, the South Beach Silverbacks signed a 61 year old rookie name Mark Eberwine, after he attended the league tryouts and selected in the 2019 RPFL draft.[7] Eberwine claims it wasn't a publicity stunt. The Silverbacks won the Conference championship, after defeating the Miami Blaze 28–8.
Structure and players
The league divide to three abbreviated "seasons": the Florida teams play from February to March, the Michigan teams contend from August to September and the Georgia teams compete from November to December. Each team plays a three-week regular season with the top two teams competing for the league championship.[8][9]
11 of 12 teams are centrally owned and operated by the league (Detroit Cougars owned by Ryan Reed[10]), while each team consists of 50 players with a "small practice squad".[11][12] Every year the league conducts a draft,[13] consisting of 10 rounds with 20 selections per round to construct the teams rosters.
The registration fee for the league tryout is $200,[14] while salaries can range from $100 to $1,000 a week,[15][16] but the majority of the players are on fully incentive based contracts. The league also provides housing for $15 a day and charge $400 for equipment.[17] Since December 2021, the league arranged additional "College Bowl" style scouting event, called RPFL Super Bowl, which athletes paid $1,000 to participate.[18]
