The Future of Football

Christopher Lomax.

I am thrilled to introduce you to The Future of Football, a 300-plus-page narrative-driven exploration of College Football’s past, present, and potential future. Combining memoir, sports history, and cultural commentary, the book reimagines College Football through the lens of the English soccer pyramid system, with promotion, relegation, and a redefined vision of competitive balance. 

As College Football dominates headlines with ongoing negotiations about its structure, media rights, and postseason format, The Future of Football enters the conversation at a pivotal moment. The sport is grappling with issues like realignment, the expansion of the College Football Playoff, and debates over NIL regulations, creating both uncertainty and opportunity for its future. These discussions parallel the transformative changes that reshaped English soccer, from the advent of the Premier League to the introduction of financial fair play rules. By framing College Football's challenges within this broader context, the book provides timely insights into how the sport can navigate its next chapter.

At its heart, The Future of Football is a love letter to the game, tracing my journey as a long-suffering Ole Miss fan and weaving in the remarkable career and enigmatic character of Lane Kiffin as a central story arc. From the doldrums of 1990s Ole Miss football to the mayhem of the transfer portal and NIL revolution, the narrative contextualizes the seismic shifts in College Football by comparing them to the evolution of English soccer, from Edwardian England to the Premier League’s global dominance.

Through both research and personal reflection, the book dives into:

• The shared histories of soccer and College Football and their divergent cultural impacts.

• Modern disruptions, from transfer fees to NIL deals, that parallel the challenges both sports face.

• A radical, hopeful vision for College Football’s future, inspired by the English promotion-relegation model.

The narrative is as much about the soul of fandom and the business of the games as it is about the games themselves. By placing College Football’s traditions and chaos alongside soccer’s innovation, The Future of Football offers a fresh perspective for fans struggling to reconcile the sport’s storied past with its uncertain future.

To further engage readers and amplify the book’s reach, this project could be paired with a podcast that marches through the 'history', current state or 'now', and 'future' of both games. Episodes could feature interviews with personalities from English soccer and College Football, offering fresh perspectives from those shaping the evolution of both sports. With the right representation, a fresh edit, and having a professionally published book as a foundation, a Future of Football podcast could land high-profile guests—coaches, players, and analysts—who want their voices heard in shaping the future of football. These conversations would not only enrich the discourse but also help market the book by connecting it directly to influential voices and a broader audience.

With its engaging narrative, The Future of Football will resonate with readers of The Club: How the English Premier League Became the Wildest, Richest, Most Disruptive Force in Sports by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg and The League: How Five Rivals Created the NFL and Launched a Sports Empire by John Eisenberg. My deep knowledge of both sports, lifelong passion as a fan, and professional background as a journalist and lawyer bring authenticity to this unique vision. My training in journalism has honed my ability to tell engaging, accessible stories, while my legal expertise provides a sharp lens for analyzing the complex business and regulatory aspects of sports. By cherry-picking compelling stories from both games, I bring the issues to life in a way that goes beyond academic analysis, weaving in real-life narratives that help readers understand the 'now' and 'future' of these sports.

The Future of Football, both the book and potential podcast, is perfectly positioned to engage a wide and diverse audience. Sports enthusiasts—particularly those passionate about College Football and English soccer—will find a treasure trove of insights, stories, and history. The book appeals to fans intrigued by the intersection of tradition and change, from armchair analysts dissecting NIL and transfer portal news to casual readers curious about the global parallels in sports culture. Additionally, it will resonate with readers of sports business narratives, cultural commentaries, and memoirs that connect personal experiences with broader societal shifts. Whether it’s the diehard SEC football fan longing for deeper context or the global soccer aficionado intrigued by how American sports could evolve, this book provides a fresh perspective that connects with the heart of what it means to love the game.

I have included the opening pages of the book, and would love the opportunity to send you the full manuscript or discuss how The Future of Football could fit into your representation. Thank you for your time and consideration—I look forward to your thoughts!

— FF —