The USFL DID work...until Trump got involved, then when Bassett (owner of the bandits that fought to stay in the Spring) died, Trump took control and tried to complete with the NFL in the Fall. They were developing quite the following in the Spring. Had they stayed there, IMO they would still exist.
Yes, I know it did and I believe it would still be around if they had remained in the spring as well. But, that is exactly my point, a new league could not compete head to head with the NCAA. So, would a new college league be relegated to playing in the spring as well in order to survive?