It began an hour prior. Sports desks, newspapers, chat rooms, reddit pages, and all sorts of NSFL related social media began receiving the same message. A pair of links for a livestream coming from the headquarters of the new Austin expansion franchise. There was one link for twitch and a link for youtube and a short note attached announcing that the Austin GM would be making their first appearance. The links went live about 5 minutes before the scheduled time, simply showing a dark screen that said "AUSTIN FOOTBALL". Viewers began to filter in quickly to both and the comment sections began to buzz about who or what was happening. Along with a few complaints that the team wouldn't be the Honolulu Islanders. And random links to dicks. Because the internet.
With a minute to go a timer began to count down from 60. When ti reached zero the screen went complete dark for a moment before the livestream began. Seated behind a desk, big smile on his face, was former NSFL player Charlie Law. He waved.
"Miss me?"
Law said nothing for a moment as the comment sections on two internet sites went nuts. Instead he stood, walked aorund the front of the desk and leaned on the corner.
"Yes. I'm the new GM for this football team. Bet ya didn't see that one coming!"
Law chuckled.
"I'm so glad I can't see what people are saying right now. Now, for those who might not know me, I'll introduce myself. I'm Charlie Law. Former Tight End and Wide Receiver in the NSFL. I won three Ultimus rings during my career and got to play on some of the greatest teams of all time. Now, I'm going to assemble some of the greatest teams of all time. That's a promise to the people of Austin and the fans of the NSFL. When the ownership group came to me with this opportunity I snapped it up like a cream filled donut. The real ones. Not that yellow goo nonsense. And ever since I've been putting together my team. Scouting, coaching, medical, you name it. The owners have asked me to run this franchise and I intend to bring ever ounce of the work and intelligence to this that I did to the football field during my playing days. First though, I want to talk about a few things, and show you something."
He gestures that we follow, which we do to the back of his office where a big bay window sits. Outside the window are construction crews building on the framework of a stadium, adding seats and other assorted things. Law smiles even wider.
"We'll be ready to take people in about a year. Well ahead of schedule. I just wanted you all to..wait..should I say ya'll? Ahh..I'm sure it'll happen naturally. Anyway..I just wanted to give...ya'll....a little taste of the team's progress beyond just me. Let's go back to the desk and leave these tiny people to their work. They're like ants form up here."
Law moves back to his chair behind his desk and sits down. Our view pauses at the edge of the desk and allows him to be close in while he leans back and continues.
"Starting with this coming draft, which we've been scouting extensively, the team will be picking up players. We and the other team coming into the league won't be participating in free agency because we don't actually have a team for free agents to sign to. And because the league doesn't want to see what happens if we convince free agents to sign one year deals on other teams then re-assess things next year. So obviously that is a thing I will not be attempting to do and any free agent who asks will be met with a request to speak to the league office about the matter. After this year passes, with our newly selected draftees playing another season in the DSFL, an expansion draft will allow myself and my counterpart expansion GM to choose some players form other teams. There's a whole set of rules still being worked out for that one and it's...interesting. Course, these other team owners and GMs thought they were getting a rookie, and not someone who shared a locker room with Jaylon Lee."
Law chuckles.
"After the expansion draft comes next offseason's traditional draft, after which we take the field. That'll be 4 chances for us to pic up players, counting next free agency, when we will be allowed to talk to free agents. So what does that really mean for the player son the NSFL who might not be sure about your futures? Well it means a few things. For example, if it's time for you to negotiate a new contract with your team and they seem hesitant to sign you long term....its probably because they don't love you that much and are planning to leave you exposed to me for drafting. If any GM in the league offers any of you that kind of short term contract right now, I'd be pretty sure that is the message being sent. that you're expendable. Likewise a lot of those free agents I can't talk to are probably going to be offered some amazing long term deals to get you nice and locked up to keep you from the evil clutches of the big bad boogeyman expansion GMs. And they'll be some reversed too. Free agents who only get short term offers. Players that are suddenly a priority to lock up for a long time. Players with options who get encouraged to exercise them now and re-sign so that you can't do that later. It's all gonna be a big jumble as teams scramble to get ready to try to mitigate how much they have to risk and which players they have to admit they were lying to.
He nods with a knowing smile.
"Take it form me. Sometimes you get traded in your prime in ways that don't seem to make any sense like some sort of outside force is controlling your career and you really have no say. And that'll be true for a lot of players in the next few seasons. Teams will let go of players to protect themselves and try to get a hold of as much leverage as they can. The business side of this league is a real functioning beast and it needs to be fed. Of course, S15 draftees, you should know that you're exempt form the Expansion Draft so don't worry as much about that part, although teams could still mvoe you around to make sure their rosters are more protected as well. It's gonna be a crazy, crazy time in the league. And I'm gonna swoop in and take some of those unloved children and bring them home to central Texas. And some of those free agents who avoided getting tied down before you had more options than any free agent before you. And those beautiful draft picks, too. I've got my fingers in a lot of pies right now looking at all the options to build this roster. Don't worry though....I washed my hands first. So here I am and here we are. Bringing professional football at it's highest level to Texas. And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't point out the obvious. The way the fans embraced the San Antonio Marshalls in the DSFL has had a big hand in why the mothership has decided to expand to the second most populous state in the Union. I don't want anyone thinking we're not gonna acknowledge that connection from day 1. The state fo texas absolutely loves it's football and you're gonna see that when sixty thousand screaming fans fill this stadium before you know it. Til then, well, go cause some trouble for me."
Law does a little two fingered salute and the stream ends. The chat rooms move too quickly for the words to really be read for a while after it does so.
Austin has it's GM.
With a minute to go a timer began to count down from 60. When ti reached zero the screen went complete dark for a moment before the livestream began. Seated behind a desk, big smile on his face, was former NSFL player Charlie Law. He waved.
"Miss me?"
Law said nothing for a moment as the comment sections on two internet sites went nuts. Instead he stood, walked aorund the front of the desk and leaned on the corner.
"Yes. I'm the new GM for this football team. Bet ya didn't see that one coming!"
Law chuckled.
"I'm so glad I can't see what people are saying right now. Now, for those who might not know me, I'll introduce myself. I'm Charlie Law. Former Tight End and Wide Receiver in the NSFL. I won three Ultimus rings during my career and got to play on some of the greatest teams of all time. Now, I'm going to assemble some of the greatest teams of all time. That's a promise to the people of Austin and the fans of the NSFL. When the ownership group came to me with this opportunity I snapped it up like a cream filled donut. The real ones. Not that yellow goo nonsense. And ever since I've been putting together my team. Scouting, coaching, medical, you name it. The owners have asked me to run this franchise and I intend to bring ever ounce of the work and intelligence to this that I did to the football field during my playing days. First though, I want to talk about a few things, and show you something."
He gestures that we follow, which we do to the back of his office where a big bay window sits. Outside the window are construction crews building on the framework of a stadium, adding seats and other assorted things. Law smiles even wider.
"We'll be ready to take people in about a year. Well ahead of schedule. I just wanted you all to..wait..should I say ya'll? Ahh..I'm sure it'll happen naturally. Anyway..I just wanted to give...ya'll....a little taste of the team's progress beyond just me. Let's go back to the desk and leave these tiny people to their work. They're like ants form up here."
Law moves back to his chair behind his desk and sits down. Our view pauses at the edge of the desk and allows him to be close in while he leans back and continues.
"Starting with this coming draft, which we've been scouting extensively, the team will be picking up players. We and the other team coming into the league won't be participating in free agency because we don't actually have a team for free agents to sign to. And because the league doesn't want to see what happens if we convince free agents to sign one year deals on other teams then re-assess things next year. So obviously that is a thing I will not be attempting to do and any free agent who asks will be met with a request to speak to the league office about the matter. After this year passes, with our newly selected draftees playing another season in the DSFL, an expansion draft will allow myself and my counterpart expansion GM to choose some players form other teams. There's a whole set of rules still being worked out for that one and it's...interesting. Course, these other team owners and GMs thought they were getting a rookie, and not someone who shared a locker room with Jaylon Lee."
Law chuckles.
"After the expansion draft comes next offseason's traditional draft, after which we take the field. That'll be 4 chances for us to pic up players, counting next free agency, when we will be allowed to talk to free agents. So what does that really mean for the player son the NSFL who might not be sure about your futures? Well it means a few things. For example, if it's time for you to negotiate a new contract with your team and they seem hesitant to sign you long term....its probably because they don't love you that much and are planning to leave you exposed to me for drafting. If any GM in the league offers any of you that kind of short term contract right now, I'd be pretty sure that is the message being sent. that you're expendable. Likewise a lot of those free agents I can't talk to are probably going to be offered some amazing long term deals to get you nice and locked up to keep you from the evil clutches of the big bad boogeyman expansion GMs. And they'll be some reversed too. Free agents who only get short term offers. Players that are suddenly a priority to lock up for a long time. Players with options who get encouraged to exercise them now and re-sign so that you can't do that later. It's all gonna be a big jumble as teams scramble to get ready to try to mitigate how much they have to risk and which players they have to admit they were lying to.
He nods with a knowing smile.
"Take it form me. Sometimes you get traded in your prime in ways that don't seem to make any sense like some sort of outside force is controlling your career and you really have no say. And that'll be true for a lot of players in the next few seasons. Teams will let go of players to protect themselves and try to get a hold of as much leverage as they can. The business side of this league is a real functioning beast and it needs to be fed. Of course, S15 draftees, you should know that you're exempt form the Expansion Draft so don't worry as much about that part, although teams could still mvoe you around to make sure their rosters are more protected as well. It's gonna be a crazy, crazy time in the league. And I'm gonna swoop in and take some of those unloved children and bring them home to central Texas. And some of those free agents who avoided getting tied down before you had more options than any free agent before you. And those beautiful draft picks, too. I've got my fingers in a lot of pies right now looking at all the options to build this roster. Don't worry though....I washed my hands first. So here I am and here we are. Bringing professional football at it's highest level to Texas. And of course, I would be remiss if I didn't point out the obvious. The way the fans embraced the San Antonio Marshalls in the DSFL has had a big hand in why the mothership has decided to expand to the second most populous state in the Union. I don't want anyone thinking we're not gonna acknowledge that connection from day 1. The state fo texas absolutely loves it's football and you're gonna see that when sixty thousand screaming fans fill this stadium before you know it. Til then, well, go cause some trouble for me."
Law does a little two fingered salute and the stream ends. The chat rooms move too quickly for the words to really be read for a while after it does so.
Austin has it's GM.