Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches

The newly formed United Football League has set its eight markets and secured head coaches for each team as it continues its march toward a March 2024 debut on the field, the league announced Monday.

The UFL will remain in four XFL markets, three from the USFL and one that the now-merged leagues shared. The eight teams, all of which are located in either the Eastern or Central time zones, will be split into two conferences that are named after the leagues that formed them. Four XFL coaches and four USFL coaches were retained.

The full breakdown with each team’s coach:

USFL conference

• Birmingham Stallions: Skip Holtz
• Houston Roughnecks: Curtis Johnson
• Memphis Showboats: John DeFilippo
• Michigan Panthers: Mike Nolan

XFL conference

• Arlington Renegades: Bob Stoops
• D.C. Defenders: Reggie Barlow
• San Antonio Brahmas: Wade Phillips
• St. Louis Battlehawks: Anthony Becht

Both leagues had teams in Houston in 2023. The UFL kept the XFL team’s brand and tapped the USFL team’s coach.

UFL players will report to training camp Feb. 24 in Arlington, Texas, where the XFL trained last season. Its teams will play a 10-game regular season, starting March 30 with a matchup between Birmingham and Arlington.

The USFL and XFL played separate, partially overlapping schedules in 2023. The leagues announced an intent to merge Sept. 28 and received approval from federal regulators Nov. 30.

The XFL had previously discussed a partnership with the Canadian Football League in 2021, but negotiations did not lead to an agreement.

USFL-XFL Merger: Information leaked on Player Allocation, Dispersal Draft, Training Camp, Pay and more

Almost a month has passed since the merger between the XFL and USFL was first approved but details regarding the new league have been few and far between.

This changed however when  former XFL star Jeff Badet has shared what appeared to be an internal email revealing which four XFL teams — Arlington, D.C., San Antonio and St. Louis — will be moving forward, as well as the league’s draft plans for players.

Player Allocation Process

With eight of the 16 teams ceasing to exist (for now) due to the merger, players who were part of now-dissolved teams in both leagues will be in a mini-dispersal draft on Dec. 27, in which they will only be eligible to be selected by one of the four teams in their former league. Following the mini-dispersal draft, a super-dispersal draft will be held on Jan. 15, with those players eligible to be selected by teams from either league.

Player pools will be separated based on league, meaning XFL teams cannot select players from ceasing USFL teams and vice versa. Teams will be able to choose up to 20 players during the draft.

Before the Dec. 27 draft, surviving teams will have the ability to protect up to 42 players on their roster from being drafted by another team. While the “protected” players will be able to stick with their respective teams through the process, the waived players will be placed into a pool for the second Dispersal Draft on Jan. 15. Not only will the pool consist of the “unprotected” players from surviving teams, but also any remaining free agents from teams that did not make the merger. Teams will be able to select players from both the USFL and XFL during this draft, unlike the prior one.

Training Camp

Training camp rosters will consist of 75 players per team.

The commencement of training camp is scheduled for February 23, 2024, 36 days before the confirmed kickoff date for the 2024 season – Mar. 30. The players will be accommodated in a designated hotel in Arlington, Texas. Teams will be flown out to their respective markets over the weekends for games, as was seen with the XFL hub model in 2023.

Two Conferences

The league will consist of two conferences — the XFL and the USFL — with a regular-season schedule consisting of 10 games and no bye weeks.

Player Pay

The information shared by Badet also included player pay, which, as of right now, will consist of weekly $400 stipends for training camp, inactive players receiving $2,500 per game and active players receiving $5,350 per game.

USFLPA Informs Players That Four USFL Teams Have Survived Merger With XFL

The USFLPA broke some important news today regarding the USFL-XFL merger structure. It appears that four USFL teams will be making the final cut, according to information provided by ProFootballTalk.

USFLPA informs members that four USFL teams will survive merger with XFL for 2024 season: Michigan, Houston, Memphis, Birmingham. https://t.co/0c2otTqhZ9

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 19, 2023

Of the four USFL franchises in the new league, the reported four teams to remain are:

It appears that the league has finally secured a venue in Houston, leading to the return of the Houston Gamblers to the city. With this news in mind, it is safe to say that the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks won’t be a part of the unified league.

The USFL will be losing four of its franchises:

New Orleans Breakers
New Jersey Generals
Philadelphia Stars
Pittsburgh Maulers

Rumors are swirling right now in regards to the USFL-XFL merger. Many are expecting an official announcement to come on the 21st (Thursday), but we aren’t holding our breath given the setbacks we’ve seen in the past regarding said announcement.

In addition to this news, here are some other pieces we’ve been hearing. Note: none of this is officially confirmed by the leagues – but it’s news we are expecting to hear when the announcement is made.

The four XFL markets to remain would be:

Arlington Renegades
DC Defenders
San Antonio Brahmas
St. Louis Battlehawks

We are also being told that the new head coach in Memphis is likely going to be a former USFL head coach – either John DeFilippo (Breakers), or Mike Riley (Generals). Divisions in the new “UFL” (United Football League) are currently set to keep their “USFL” and “XFL” names.

The XFL utilized a “hub system” in Arlington during their 2023 season, where all 8 teams were located at and around Choctaw Stadium. We are expecting a similar scenario in 2024.

While Ben Fischer reported a few weeks ago that Russ Brandon is going to be the top executive in the new league, expect USFL President Daryl Johnston to still be involved.

In additional news, we are told that a dispersal draft for players on cut teams (under contract) will be held in mid-January – tentatively set for the 15th. Scooby Wright also dropped a bombshell, as it appears that teams will be able to claim up to 42 contracted players before the dispersal draft.

With the leagues already announcing March 30th as their kickoff date back in late November, training camp should begin in mid-late February. The date we’ve heard as of late is February 17th.

Of course, we are still waiting for the leagues to officially announce the merger. If it does happen this week, Thursday is the day to watch.

What are your thoughts on this new development in the USFL-XFL merger? Which USFL teams did you want to see make the final cut?

NBC Out as Broadcast Partner for the Merged USFL/XFL League

Last week the merger between the USFL and XFL officially cleared federal review. The news was made official from a join statement from both leagues. Beyond the news that the approvals were complete, they revealed that the combined league would kickoff March 30th, 2024.

Ever since the USFL/XFL merger news started making the rounds many had wondered who the broadcast partners would be. Well, it looks like we’re closer to an answer. John Ourand (SBJ) reports that NBC will not be a broadcast partner of the new joint venture between the USFL and XFL.

According to NBC it comes down to scheduling conflicts with the new start date.

” We enjoyed our relationship with the USFL and Fox, but the new earlier schedule made it impossible for us to continue,” said NBC Sports EVP/Communications Greg Hughes. “We wish them success with the new league and their new partners.”

Ourand states that the games will be split between ABC, ESPN, FOX & FS1.

NBC was a solid partner for the USFL in its first two seasons, even hosting their second Championship game this past July. It feels like a long time ago, but they even simulcast the inaugural USFL game in 2022 with FOX.

The network also has a history with the XFL. They were co-owners of the original league in 2001 during the Vince McMahon’s first attempt.

In what is turning out to be an interesting twist, FOX and ABC are partners again after hosting the XFL in 2020.

At the moment many are waiting for more details on the USFL/XFL merger. In the latest statement it says that more information will be shared in the coming weeks.

We’re hoping to learn the new league name, team names and locations by the end of the year. 

XFL-USFL merger finalized, eight teams playing revealed

The XFL and USFL have officially agreed to terms to merge ahead of the upcoming season, which will begin in March 2024, via John Vogel. The USFL returned for the first time since the 1980s in 2022, and have played two seasons under FOX Sports ownership. Meanwhile, the XFL returned in 2018 and is currently owned by RedBird Capital Partners, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia. The two spring leagues were competing against each other, but will now merge.

Despite each league carrying eight teams, they will not expand to 16 teams and will instead keep four teams from each league. From the XFL, the Arlington Renegades, DC Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas and St Louis BattleHawks will be retained while the Seattle Sea Dragons, Vegas Vipers, Houston Roughnecks and Orlando Guardians will no longer stay. On the USFL side, the Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, Memphis Showboats and Michigan Panthers will be kept while the Pittsburgh Maulers, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars and New Jersey Generals will not.

Following the merger, the two leagues released a statement.

“We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks,” via Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal.

More details surrounding the terms, name, rules and logistics of the merged leagues will be revealed in the upcoming weeks.

USFL Locks In Ford Field For The Michigan Panthers 2024 Season

The Michigan Panthers are officially returning to Ford Field for the 2024 season. After a long period of silence from both parties, the USFL announced today that the stadium has been locked in for next year.

This is huge news for the league, and the Panthers in general. Over the past month, the USFL-XFL merger news has shaken up the world of spring football to its core. At first, the Michigan Panthers future was, potentially, in jeopardy.

However, recent reports have indicated that Michigan – alongside all eight USFL teams – will be safe in the new league. Now, this news further supports the notion that the Panthers will be playing professional football in their home state, back at Ford Field for another season.

In 2023, Detroit was introduced as a market for the USFL. The Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Stars both played in the city, with Michigan seeing some excellent crowds at Ford Field.

After an up and down campaign, the Panthers ultimately clinched a postseason berth in front of a fired up crowd, taking down Philadelphia in week ten.

Now, the franchise is set to return to Michigan for 2024. While the structure for the new merged league isn’t perfectly clear – and hasn’t been legally approved yet – this is an excellent step in the right direction for Michigan.

XFL, USFL announce plans to merge

The XFL and United States Football League sent out press releases Thursday announcing their intentions to merge into one spring league.

“The new league will establish best-in-class operations atop the foundation built over the USFL and XFL’s most recent seasons, cementing the future of professional spring football, and further enhance the development of its players, coaches, and staff,” the USFL release said.

“We are extremely proud of what we have built over the past two seasons. We have shown that the professional spring football model can work – and, in many ways, have done what many football and business minds thought was impossible.”

The merger still requires regulatory approvals for the transaction to be consummated, and more details on the merger will be released at a later date.

Earlier this week, the USFL filed for 22 trademarks that revealed “National Spring Football League” as a potential new name, according to Front Office Sports.

The XFL relaunched for a 2020 season after a 19-year hiatus. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to cancel the end of the season. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson purchased the league from Vince McMahon in August 2020 for $15 million.

The XFL returned to action in 2023 with eight teams competing. The Arlington Renegades defeated the DC Defenders in the championship game.

The USFL made a comeback in 2022 after the league disintegrated in 1985, with eight teams competing over the last two years.

The XFL and USFL looking to merge before 2024 season

The nation’s two spring professional football leagues are looking to merge, according to reports.

Per Axios, the USFL and XFL are “in advance talks to merge,” with hopes to combine into one league before the 2024 season.

The XFL, owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is just one season into its third incarnation since 2001. The Fox Corporation-owned USFL concluded its second season in July with the Birmingham Stallions winning their second consecutive league championship.

Axios reports a deal between the two leagues could be announced as early as this week.

A merger between the two leagues would see games split between FOX and Disney-owned properties which broadcasted the 2023 XFL season. Axios notes that it has yet to be determined if the USFL’s broadcast deal with NBC Sports will continue with the combined league.

The XFL was founded in 2001 by then-owner of the World Wrestling Federation, Vince McMahon. The league folded after just one season. McMahon brought the spring football league back in 2020 but was shuttered mid-way through the season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson, his business partner Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners bought the XFL out of bankruptcy for $15 million.

Forbes reported in June that the XFL lost an estimated $60 million dollars during the 2023 season.

The USFL, meanwhile, wrapped up its second season in June with the Birmingham Stallions capturing another championship.

The United States Football League was first launched in 1982 and lasted three seasons before ceasing operations. The spring league returned to the field in 2022, this time owned by FOX.

Packers to sign USFL MVP QB Alex McGough

The Green Bay Packers will give the USFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2023 a chance to compete for a backup job behind starting quarterback Jordan Love.

According to Bill Huber of SI, the Packers are signing quarterback Alex McGough, the leader of the USFL champions and the league’s MVP in 2023.

McGough completed 180 of 267 passes (67.4 percent) for 2,105 yards (7.9 yards per attempt), 20 touchdowns and five interceptions over 10 regular season games. He also rushed for 403 yards and five more scores. Over two postseason games, McGough threw eight more touchdown passes and rushed for one touchdown as the Birmingham Stallions won the USFL title.

In Green Bay, McGough will compete with fifth-round pick Sean Clifford and Danny settling for the opportunity to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Love. He was in demand around the NFL after his terrific season in the USFL, but the quarterback depth chart in Green Bay should give McGough a terrific chance to stick on the roster or practice squad.

McGough was a four-year starting quarterback at FIU between 2014 and 2017 and a seventh-round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018. He spent time with Seattle and the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans at the NFL level.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson released by USFL’s New Orleans Breakers

Former CFL quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has been released by the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL.

The 35-year-old led the league in passing yards this past season, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,433 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His team went 7-3 in the regular season but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Birmingham Stallions.

Bethel-Thompson elected not to return to the CFL following the 2022 season, citing his desire to be closer to his young family. His partner, Chinaka Hodge, is the head writer for an upcoming Marvel series on Disney+ called Ironheart. Though he is now free to sign a contract in any league, the veteran passer has been clear that his goal is to return to the NFL in 2023.

The native of San Francisco, Calif. led the CFL in passing yards in 2022, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for 4,731 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He helped Toronto win the 109th Grey Cup but exited the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a dislocated thumb.

The pro football journeyman has played in alternative professional leagues in the past, spending time in the Arena Football League and United Football League in between NFL stops. He spent the cancelled 2020 CFL season playing in The Spring League, which formed the foundations of the current USFL.

The six-foot-four, 220-pound passer played 74 games over five seasons with the Argonauts, throwing for 13,261 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions. He was named an East Division all-star in 2021 and 2022 and led the league in touchdown passes in 2019.

Bethel-Thompson went unselected in the 2011 NFL Draft but spent time with a number of teams in the league, including the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. He did not dress for any regular-season NFL games.