Is the NFL indirectly supporting the return of the USFL?

The USFL is planning for a return to the national stage, stating that the leagues hopes to resume play in March of 2013. The new direction the USFL has taken will not directly confront the NFL, but rather try to work with the NFL as a developmental or minor league system for the NFL. While the NFL has not directly commented on the new venture, perhaps NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might have tipped his hand on the return of the USFL on Tuesday. Goodell told reporters on Tuesday-

“We have talked a great deal about the idea of a developmental league. We actually think that there could be a role for that. Particularly with the changes in the Collective Bargaining Agreement — the limited amount of time the younger players have to either be evaluated or develop their own skills — should we have some sort of developmental league? It is something we will continue to pursue. If we do it, my personal view is it should be defined what the actual objective is. If it is a developmental league, let’s call it a developmental league. Let’s design it as a developmental league. If it is going to be a commercial league that is trying to generate fan interest or generate revenue, we should also be clear of that objective. I think our general view right now is to make it a developmental league.”

While this is not a direct endorsement of the new USFL, the re-introduction of the USFL would provide exactly what the NFL is looking at creating. I understand that the NFL is stocked with multimillionaire owners with huge egos and the league would most likely want control over every aspect of a developmental league, but perhaps the NFL might be better off to try to allow the USFL to try to re-launch and work with them rather than to try their own venture and go head-to-head, a move which would simply water down the quality of play even further on the field.