INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Though the contract has yet to be signed, the United Football League is already announcing on its Web site that training camp for the fledgling league will commence Sept. 1 at Dodgertown, which could mark the arrival of disgraced NFL star Michael Vick to our area. Teams from Orlando and New York will train together at Dodgertown, with about 120 players and 40 staff taking part throughout the season, which begins on Oct. 8 and ends Thanksgiving weekend. The league’s West Coast teams will be based in Casa Grande, Ariz. The UFL Web site (www.ufl-football.com) lists under its Events link, the notification that training camp begins in Vero Beach and Casa Grande on Sept. 1. The league has made clear Vick would be welcome to play in the UFL as long as he has no legal issues and his NFL ban remains in place. The Orlando franchise has the rights to Vick under the league by-laws.”One of the things that is important in our premiere season is to showcase the quality of talent and the coaches, and to be able to show outstanding players who find themselves in this quagmire the NFL creates,” UFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said to Mike Penner of the Los Angeles Times. “Michael Vick might be that kind of player because he is . . . a phenomenal talent, but he needs transitioning back into the NFL.”The former No. 1 NFL draft pick is under home confinement after serving 18 months in federal prison for taking part in a dogfighting ring. The NFL is expected to make an announcement on his status once his home confinement ends on July 20.Despite not having a signed document in hand, Minor League Baseball VP Craig Callan said the deal between Dodgertown and league officials is nearing completion.”It has to happen any day,” Callan said. “We are starting to ramp up, but we need 45 days lead time and that time is getting close.”
