(CBS DETROIT) — As the Michigan Panthers prepare to head to Ford Field for the Fripp Film Festival on April 30, talk of a return to the United States Football League (USFL) has been in the air, and there has been a bit of politics involved . in an interview during recording.CBS Detroit. Michigan affairs.
In the second season of the Spring Football League, newly appointed USFL President Daryl Johnston will look back 40 years after the Panthers won the USFL's inaugural season in the early 1980s. The league was discontinued after two seasons.
Johnston spoke to executive producer/host Carol Cain about how he believes the league will thrive this time around with a new game plan under new ownership.
Kathy Keliszewski, news director of the Detroit Free Press and artistic director of the Freep Film Festival, spoke about the festival, which opens next week and celebrates its 10th anniversary. He spoke about how the Spring Film Festival has become an iconic event in Metro Detroit, supporting films and documentaries, many of which have ties to the region.
It was from April 26th to 30th. Award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne will also be in Detroit for the festival and will star in two films.
And at a panel discussion, Brian Barnett, Mayor of Rochester Hills, Denise Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Enterprises, and Susie Avery, former Chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party, discussed the Lansing news. Among the issues discussed were efforts to change the law to allow Michigan colleges to sell alcohol at football, basketball and hockey games.
Speaking of football, Ilyich shares an interesting story about his late father, Mike Ilyich, who invested in the Arena Football League in the late 1980s and ended up getting a $200,000 jacket.
The panel discussed Donald Trump, who owned the New Jersey USFL Generals in the early 1980s, and his chances if he ran for president in 2024.
They also talk about Joe Biden and his re-election bid.
Watch Michigan Affairs Sundays at 8:00 am on CBS Detroit.