New Pacific Pro Football League to Base 4 Teams in Southern California

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The formation of a professional football league for players directly from high school with all four teams based in Southern California was announced Wednesday.

Players in the Pacific Pro Football will be paid an average of $50,000 and will also receive one-year paid tuition and books at local community colleges, according to Chief Operating Officer Bradley Edwards, a former NFL and ESPN executive.

Donald Yee, the agent for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, will be the league's chief executive officer.

The league's advisory board includes former NFL coach Mike Shanahan, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter and Steve Schmidt, the lead strategist for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.

The league recently closed its angel round of financing and has started discussions with content distributors, sponsors, facilities, and local elected officials, Edwards said.

"We are gratified by the positive reception to Pac Pro in the investment, media, government, and sponsorship communities," Edwards said.

"We look forward to stimulating the Southern California economy by working with local leaders."

A primary off-field objective for the league is to help players develop their life paths, Yee said.

"Pac Pro's concept of education is expansive," Yee said.

"Every team will have a counselor to help players develop their interests academically and/or vocationally, and assist with coordinating meaningful internships in their fields of interest."

City News Service; Shutterstock