EFL League History
The Express Football League was initiated in 1987 by Mike Ryan. Mike adapted the league concept from an earlier, more primitive form which originated in a far western state. The league began in earnest once Mike was able to locate (develop, create, conceptualize, make up) the unique scoring system used for the league and find 5 other interested individuals (sacrificial lambs) to enter into the draft. These other founding owners are: Cesar Alaniz, Sheila Ryan, Robert Wolk, Einar Tjolsen, and Bruce Chaffee.
After being handed a copy of the scoring system the evening of the draft, league owners preceded to draw cards to see who would emerge with the #1 draft pick. Surprisingly (not), Mike palmed the ace and ended up with the #1 pick overall. He won that strike-shortened season by a mere 167 points, having taken a lead of that magnitude in the first week. In honor of his victory, the league was originally coined the "Von Ryan Express Football League" until the other founding owners realized how badly they had been duped (i.e., not knowing the scoring system, allowing him the #1 draft slot, etc.). The league name was officially shortened to "Express Football League" or EFL.
Mike would take the title for three consecutive years, preying not only on the original owners, but two additions in the following year. Kevin Townsend and Chris Maksym were both granted franchises after meeting the initial entry price of $0.14. An additional entry requirement was that at least one of the new franchises was required to finish in last during their first two years in the league. Chris's Comebackers took last place honors both years. He finished more than 4,000 points out in his inaugural season. Of course he determined that he would build his franchise with younger, local players rather than established veterans, a philosophy which continues to this day.
In the 1994-5 season, the league ownership competition committee felt that a ninth owner was needed due to NFL expansion. Following a competitive bidding process, Barry Bleske was selected based upon his high bid of $2.43 ($2.42 higher that any competing bid) and his agreement that he would meet the league requirement that he finish in last for two consecutive years.
In the 2003-4 season, Barry decided to go north to Alaska. No phones, no lights, no motor cars, not a single luxury. He needed a proxy. So, at a cost of $2.57 (making his franchise worth an even Lincoln), he hired Darryl and his other brother Darryl to draft his team. Thus was the birth of the alpha boys: Barry Bleske, Curtis Collins, and Darryl DePestyl - bb/cc/dd. And in their inaugural season in bed together - they won the thing. The following season, 2004-5, this unlikely threesome decided that it souped them just fine (or at least and alpha bit) to be the alpha boys. This season, full of bravado, they failed to repeat, showing once and for all that three heads are not necessarily better than the headed one. So after moaning and bemoaning and a tight little vote, the alpha boyz were voted in as the 10th franchise to start in the 2005-6 season (ed. note - thanks for lining my pockets, boyz...).
Finally, in 2004-5, the original Bad Boys franchise was leased to Kevin Ryan, eldest progeny of Miguel de la Sol and Sheila, Queen of the Jungle. We'll see how a rookie fares.
For season by season information, please click the links below:
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 2002-03
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2003-04 |
2004-05 |
