The USFL and XFL, the two spring football leagues in the United States, officially announce their merge to form the United Football League. The two leagues announced the intention to merge back in September 2023, but on New Year’s Eve, partners from both leagues announced certain details for the 2024 season.
It’s unclear how many teams from each league will be in the new league. Both leagues fielded eight teams in 2023. It’s also unclear which cities the teams will represent. However, league officials announced the first game of the UFL season will be played March 30, 2024, between the 2023 XFL Champion Arlington Renegades and the 2022 and 2023 USFL Champion Birmingham Stallions.
The UFL also announced important officials and partners for the upcoming season. XFL President and CEO Russ Brandon will hold the same title in the UFL. USFL President of football operations, Darryl Johnston, holds the same title in the new league as well. XFL owners Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, Dani Garcia and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital Partners will stay on as partners. From the USFL, Fox Sports and ESPN will stay on as partners too.
UFL Second Iteration
This will be the second professional football league in the United States to use the United Football League (UFL) moniker. The original UFL played from 2009 to 2012. However, rather than playing in the Spring like most other leagues, the UFL played its seasons in the Fall competing with the NFL, college football and high school football. The merged league becoming the second version of the UFL is fitting. Both the USFL and XFL have had previous versions before their current iterations that led to the merger.
Personal Thoughts
There have been many Spring football leagues in the United States, but very few have been able to last for long periods of time. There is not enough interest in two Spring leagues, so the merger makes complete sense. This writer preferred the USFL style of football to the XFL style, but both have their appeals, and I, genuinely, hope this merged league is a success. I watched both and pulled for Arlington and Birmingham, so I’m excited to see them both continue in the new UFL. Hopefully, there are more announcements about the UFL coming soon.
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