ESPN

Buzzmaster

  (2:57 PM)

One of ESPN's "30 for 30" directors, Mike Tollin, will be here in a few minutes to chat! His film about the USFL appears on ESPN tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

Buzzmaster

  (3:12 PM)

Hang in there folks. We're waiting for Mike.

Buzzmaster

  (3:14 PM)

Just heard from Mike's office. He should be here any minute!

Buzzmaster

  (3:16 PM)

Mike's here!

Paul Reeths (Fond du Lac, WI)

This USFL fan is really looking forward to the show tonight. What was the most challenging aspect of telling the story of a league that hasn't played a game in nearly 25 years?

Mike Tollin

  (3:18 PM)

One of the most challenging aspects was getting Donald Trump to agree to sit for an interview. That took 3 months and only came after he read a story in which the reporter said that he might have been the reason for the demise of the league. So then he came, to put his spin on the thing. Also, digesting hundreds of games, hundreds of characters and numerous memories into 52 minutes. Most of the ESPN doc's are more micro. We wanted the USFL fans to be satisfied by the highlights, but at the same time do an in depth look at the source of the league's ultimate failure.

Evan (Salt Lake City)

Are you disappointed Trump didn't like "Small Potatoes"?

Mike Tollin

  (3:19 PM)

I still maintain that Donald Trump still has not watched Small Potatoes, because we are such small potatoes. Nothing in his correspondence suggests he watched the film. If you watch the film, you'll see that I give him ample opportunity to give his side of the story. In fact some of my friends think I gave him too much time. But it's not my concern. He's the only guy of the 33 people that we interviewed that doesn't look back with affection with his time in the USFL. I feel sorry that he hasn't been able to enjoy the ride with the rest of us.

Daniel (Wichita, KS)

You've directed a lot of TV so I was wondering if you could please answer a question about my biggest pet peeve of all time? I'm sure you've never done it, but your peers do it all the time. Why when a character is supposed to be holding a cup of coffee or some other beverage, they flail their arms around like they aren't holding anything at all? It's always painfully obvious the cup is empty! Can't ya put some water in it something so it looks more realistic? Can we start a directing revolution here and get this fixed?

Mike Tollin

  (3:21 PM)

Daniel, what shows are you watching? Are you watching porongraphy? Not only have we have never done it, but I don't know any of my peers who have done it. Sometimes there are worries about an alcoholic beverage, because you don't want the actor to get drunk, so you try to get the right color. But empty? Come on, step up your viewing habits.

Mike Tollin

  (3:21 PM)

You won't see that in Who Killed the USFL.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Tell me there will be some New Orleans Breakers coverage on the show tonight? I grew up in New Orleans and it was hard to tell who was worse, them or the Saints.

Mike Tollin

  (3:23 PM)

The question gives the chance to ask one of hte great USFL trivia question. Name the professional sports team that played in three different cities in three different years....time's up. Boston-New Orleans-Portland Breakers. Yes, we will see footage of them in the first two iterations. We will see one of Chad's all time favorites Buford Jordan, talking about the Breakers touchdown dance. We will see the memorable "immaculate" reception during the Boston Breakers season, as told by Bill Simmons, noted Boston Breakers fan.

Ron (Iowa)

What did you take from your experience in putting together this film?

Mike Tollin

  (3:26 PM)

I feel more firmly convinced now than ever that the USFL could have worked. It's one thing if an idea fails. It's another if it's just not given the chance to succeed. I think the latter of it is true in the USFL. Get a consensus of getting a dozen or more captains or kings of the industry to agree at one time. That's why Donald Trumps decision to move the USFL from spring to fall created an enormous rift in ownership and diminished the league's credibility in the eyes of the fans, which ultimately led to an errosion in attendance and TV ratings and left them with nothing but a lawsuit to cling to for survival. Ultimately, the USFL did in fact win its antitrust suit against the NFL, but the stunning award of $1 (which was trebled, making a total of $3) was really the death knell for the league.

Chad (Las Vegas)

Buford Jordan was my favorite. He was great and we share a last name.

Craig G. (Fairfield, California)

Hey Mike, I'm looking forward to watching your film. Do you have a favorite USFL team and player?

Mike Tollin

  (3:29 PM)

Hmmm, yeah. It will probably become apparent in watching the film, but I did love the Tampa Bay Bandits. I was a big fan of Bandit ball. My favorite player was a RB named Gary Anderson, who unfortunately signed two contracts, one with the Chargers in the NFL and one with the Bandits, which led to a lawsuit, which led to finding out that Gary's reading acumen was somewhat limited. He wore No. 43 and he was as explosive as any RB I ever saw. I think the Tampa Bay Bandits were the model franchise. They averaged more than 40,000 fans. Every week was a party with inventive promotions. Wide open football. They were more popular in Tampa than the Bucs of the NFL.

Wheat (Nashville)

Do you think the proposed UFL can work in this day and age? Or was a situation like 25 years ago with the USFL much more plausible?

Mike Tollin

  (3:31 PM)

It seems unlikely. Starting a league with only four teams seems like an uphill battle. Early returns suggest that there's not a great deal of interest. TV ratings are almost invisible. There is always going to be an attrition, because in the beginning there's always a curiosity. If done well, that's a big IF, a spring football league could succeed. I think there is currently a movement afoot and we may see that appear on the horizon in the next couple of years. That reflects, in contrast to what Donald Trump says, that if God wanted football in the spring, he wouldn't have invented baseball.

Mike Tollin

  (3:32 PM)

I just want to say that making this film was great fun. I'm grateful for the opportunity. I think 30 for 30 is one of the most adventurous things to come out of ESPN. I hope viewers watch tonight and the remainder of the series. Each one will be very different and worthwhile viewing.