*By Max Godnick* Questioning coaches' decisions is an integral part of any football fan's life ー we all *know* we could do better. Now, a new football league is giving us a shot, by crowd sourcing the play-calling in live football games. "Your Call Football" lets viewers choose their favorite of three pre-selected plays uploaded to an app by a figure-head coach on the sideline of a real game in progress. The league employs players who are trying to land a roster spot on NFL teams, and the coaches are NFL alumnae. "A lot of guys have been in camps, a lot of guys just need a little development and a few more reps, and we've given them that," said Merril Hoge, the former NFL running back and ESPN analyst who is the head coach of the new league's Team Power. The YCF league is trying to balance a high-quality on-field product with the interactivity of having fans direct the game. "We're definitely about quality football and marrying that with, what do the fans want," said Julie Meringer, the president of Your Call Football. The league is bankrolled entirely by George Colony, the CEO of technology research firm Forrester. Players are paid on par with what NFL rookies make in training camp. Meringer is one of three women among the league's senior executives, including YCF's chief legal officer and its head of marketing. "We know how to get stuff done and we're proud about that," she said. YCF's first three-game season ends Thursday night in Vero Beach, Fla., when Team Power plays Team Grit, the only other team in the league. Meringer said the company explored using its patented technology for other sports, but most mainstream sports are too fast-paced and don't rely enough on real-time coaching. She said baseball offers an opportunity, but she's more interested in how fan interactivity can be incorporated into entertainment programming. "You already see a lot of reality TV shows trying to use Twitter and other things to weigh in, but it's not real time," she said, adding the company would be looking for other ways to use its play-calling technology. "There's definitely a licensing angle here, which I think will help with the future of sports and the next generation who are cord cutters, watching multiple screens, not necessarily going to venues to engage in sports," Meringer said. For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/your-call-football-lets-fans-choose-the-plays).

Share:
More In Sports
Between Bells: January 11, 2018
On VF Hive, we're joined by the crew at Vanity Fair's Hive to discuss Oprah's White House ambitions and Steve Bannon's next moves. Then on Between Bells, we break down the new allegations against James Franco and the Lavar Ball drama sweeping the NBA.
ESPN's Lavar Ball Problem
The most talked about person in the NBA isn't even in the NBA. FHM Magazine's Nick Dimengo discusses the media firestorm surrounding Lavar Ball and his increasingly outspoken comments about his son's team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
76ers Exec on Taking the NBA to London
Chris Heck, president of business operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, discusses the NBA playing a game in London. He also talks the league's jump into esports.
Under Armour Showcases Smart Shoe at CES
2017 was not an easy year for Under Armour, as the stock fell over 50%. Jim Mollica, Head of Global Consumer Engagement and Digital Marketing at Under Armour, discusses how the company is using technology to revitalize the brand.
Chat Sports' James Yoder on the College Football Championship Game
CEO and Founder of Chat Sports James Yoder talks Trump and the thrilling NCAA Football national championship. Yoder says some fans were delayed getting into the stadium by as much as 45 minutes thanks to the President's presence. Traffic also came to a standstill in downtown Atlanta.
Expectations for 2018 College Football Playoffs
College football championships kick off Monday evening. Alabama's Crimson Tide is taking on the Georgia Bulldogs. Last week's semifinals achieved one of cable history's highest viewerships, and ESPN saw double digit audience growth year-over-year. ThePostGame.com Senior Editor Jeff Eisenband and FiveThirtyEight's Senior Sportswriter Neil Paine explain their expectations for the final.
Bull Riding Goes Mainstream
Professional Bull Riders is celebrating its 25th season with a huge event at Madison Square Garden January 5th. Sean Gleason, CEO of Professional Bull Riders, and two-time World Champion bull rider J.B. Mauney, aka "the John Wayne of PBR", join Cheddar to discuss the fast-growing sport.
Opening Bell: January 5, 2018
Kalanick sells Uber shares, and Apple admits vulnerability. Plus Michael Wolff's controversial book "Fire and Fury" hits shelves today, and the east coast digs out from the "Bomb Cyclone."
Load More