State of the CoFL: Year One Lessons, 2027 Vision, and What Comes Next
Founder & CEO Manny Matsakis joins Michael Lathrop for an inside look at the league’s first season, expansion plans, ownership opportunities, and the future of professional football.
The Continental Football League is moving into its next chapter.
In the latest episode of the CoFL Network, host Michael Lathrop sat down with Founder & CEO Manny Matsakis for a wide-ranging State of the League conversation covering the realities of building a professional football league from the ground up, the lessons learned from Year One, and the vision that will guide the CoFL into 2027 and beyond.
From competitive balance and expansion to ownership opportunities and the league’s unique identity, Manny shared an honest look at where the CoFL has been — and where it is going.
Watch the Full Interview
▶ Watch the full State of the CoFL conversation on the CoFL Network.
Subscribe to the CoFL Network:
youtube.com/@CoFLFootball
Building a Professional League From Scratch
Launching a professional football league is never simple — especially one returning to the field after decades of history.
The CoFL went from concept to competition in a matter of months, bringing teams, players, coaches, and fans together for its inaugural season.
For Manny Matsakis, the biggest lesson from Year One was clear: preparation and time matter.
“Here's a league that hadn't existed since the 1960s, and we're sitting here in a position where we actually play games.”
The ability to complete a full season and grow the league’s audience showed the demand for a new football platform built around opportunity, competition, and community.
The first season was about proving the concept. The next season is about building the foundation.
Creating Competitive Balance for 2027
One of the biggest takeaways from Year One was that teams entered the season with different resources, structures, and approaches.
Moving into 2027, the CoFL is focused on creating a more unified competitive environment.
The league’s upcoming standards will include:
A true salary cap structure replacing the recommended guidelines used during Year One.
Consistent roster-building standards to help teams operate on a more level playing field.
Closer collaboration between the league office and ownership groups to improve parity across divisions.
The goal is simple: every team should have the opportunity to compete.
A stronger structure creates stronger rivalries, better games, and a better experience for players and fans.
The Continental Shift Rule: A New Way to Finish Games
One of the CoFL’s defining innovations is the Continental Shift Rule.
Created by Manny Matsakis and Mike Kelly through their professional coaching experience, the rule was designed to bring more excitement to the fourth quarter by giving trailing teams additional opportunities to change the outcome of a game.
While some fans were unsure at first, the response evolved throughout the season as supporters began to understand the possibilities.
A team behind late in the game now has another strategic path.
For 2027, the CoFL plans to refine the rule with improvements focused on:
Coaching execution
Broadcast presentation
Fan understanding
Game-day excitement
The goal remains the same: create moments fans remember.
Expanding the CoFL: Building Divisions That Matter
The long-term vision for the CoFL is built around strong regional divisions.
The target model is four teams per division, creating an eight-game regular season with meaningful rivalries and repeat matchups.
Expansion plans include:
Texas Growth
Texas remains a key market for the league, with several strong opportunities already developing.
The focus is on finding the right communities and ownership groups to create competitive regional rivalries.
Northern Division Development
With Indianapolis becoming a major part of the league’s future, the CoFL is building toward a northern division anchored around a strong sports market.
Future Markets
Interest continues from additional regions across the country.
The goal is not simply adding teams — it is building sustainable divisions with committed ownership and community support.
What the CoFL Looks For in Owners
The CoFL is searching for more than investors.
The ideal ownership group is:
Community-focused
Locally connected
Committed to building a franchise
Willing to collaborate with the league
The league believes successful teams are built by owners who are involved, accessible, and passionate about growing professional football in their communities.
“We just need somebody that loves the opportunity of being in the only outdoor professional football league in the summertime in the United States.”
Interested in CoFL Ownership?
The ownership process begins through the Ownership section at:
Interested groups begin with a discovery call, followed by:
Ownership discussions
Financial overview
Market evaluation
Review with current ownership groups
The CoFL is focused on finding the right partners who share the league’s vision.
Why Indianapolis? Why Grand Park?
Indianapolis has long been recognized as one of America’s premier sports cities.
With major sporting events, established football relationships, and a strong business community, the city provides an ideal foundation for the CoFL’s next phase.
At the center of this vision is Grand Park, one of the largest sports complexes in the United States.
With:
22 football fields
Indoor training facilities
Event infrastructure
Grand Park creates opportunities beyond traditional games — including:
Player showcases
Combines
Tryouts
League events
National football experiences
The CoFL is building Indianapolis into a central hub for the league’s future.
Investing in the Future of the League
The CoFL’s growth has created interest from supporters who want to invest not only in individual teams but in the league itself.
Following the success of San Antonio’s crowdfunding initiative, the league is exploring additional investment opportunities.
Potential pathways include:
A league-wide WeFunder SAFE campaign
Select minority ownership opportunities
The mission remains focused on proper capitalization and sustainable growth.
As Manny emphasized, building a professional league requires the right resources and long-term commitment.
“You have to be capitalized properly from a financial standpoint to make this work.”
The Journey Continues
Year One was about proving the CoFL could return professional football to the field.
Year Two is about strengthening the foundation.
With new standards, expansion opportunities, innovative rules, and a growing football community, the Continental Football League is preparing for the next stage of its journey.
The future is being built now.
On to 2027 — unified and ready to go.
Watch the full State of the CoFL interview on the CoFL Network.
Subscribe to the CoFL Network:
youtube.com/@CoFLFootball
Special thanks to Light Helmets, the league-wide sponsor supporting the players who wear the shield.