The UFL is a fusion of XFL and USFL that was authorized by federal regulators in November 2023.
The United Football League, the new pro football league, was scheduled to be played in the spring and early summer.
Spring football has long been thought about as an unexplored market for US professional football fans. There have been some endeavors to make it work, involving during the 1980s when esteemed names like Herschel Walker, Jim Kelly, Doug Flutie, and even previous US president Donal Trump were in the topic of conversation.
That league was the United States Football League (USFL), which failed to continue following the 1985 season.
The USFL made its feet back and engaged in 2022 and 2023. A challenger, the XFL, attempted many extraordinary plans of action in its 2001 season under World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) leadership.
With the leagues merging, the UFL is combining the best parts of each and hoping for a successful season.
What Became of the XFL and USFL?
What Became of the XFL and USFL?
The XFL was formed and led by WWE head Vince McMahon and played its first season in 2001 but go to the wall before a second season could start.
It was restored by McMahon in 2018 to start play in 2020 and apparently to provide football with some diversions and delays that were being put on the table by the NFL.
The seasons were set to start the ball rolling from February to May,10 regular games and then the playoffs.
After five weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic ruined any chance of success. The league went bankrupt in April 2020.
Actor and previous player Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joined in and, together with business partner and ex-wife Dany Garcia, Led a group that bought the XFL for about $15 million.
The XFL started play again in February 2023 as a football minor league. In late September 2023, it publicized plans to unite with the USFL.
The First Version of the USFL
The first edition of the USFL, the original United States Football League, had big-name players to compete with the NFL, but one wrong decision led to its downfall.
Three Heisman Trophy winners one after the other – Georgia’s Herschel Walker (1982), Nebraska’s Mike Rozier (1983), and Boston College’s Doug Flutie (1984) – signed with the USFL in place of joining the NFL.
The USFL played three seasons in the spring and summer, of 1983-85, but decided to try to take on the NFL.
Led by the owner of the New Jersey Generals Donal Trump, a vote was taken and then it’s being decided to play the 1986 season in the fall – directly competing with the NFL.
The USFL’s main goal was to force a merger with the NFL. In 1986, the USFL’s lawyers filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL.
The USFL technically won but only got a $1 judgment, which was tripled to $3 under antitrust laws.
There was no merger, and the USFL didn’t have a 1986 season.
Overall, the USFL lost more than $160 million.
In 2022 and 2023, a new version of the USFL, owned by Fox Sports, played with eight teams keeping the same branding as the original from the 1980s.
UFL Leadership
The merger of the XFL and USFL led to Russ Brandon being named president and CEO of the UFL. He was previously the president and CEO of the XFL.
Daryl Johnston, a former NFL running back and the ex-president of football operations for the USFL, will now run football operations for the UFL.
Who Owns the UFL?
Who Owns the UFL?
The UFL is owned by five partners.
The first three are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale from RedBird Capital Partners. They used to own the XFL.
The other owners are Fox Sports, led by CEO Eric Shanks, and ESPN, led by chairman Jimmy Pitaro. Fox Sports used to own the USFL.
Johnson, a big football fan, explained their goal:
“Our mission from the start has been to grow football and create a league with opportunities, culture, and innovation. We want to build something exciting and impactful for football fans, a spring league that helps players achieve their dreams and shows hard work pays off.”
Johnson is famous worldwide, known for his WWE career with titles like The Great One and The People’s Champion. He’s also had big successes outside of wrestling, including being an eight-time WWE champion, hosting Saturday Night Live, writing a bestselling autobiography, and starring in shows and movies like Ballers, Fast Five, and The Game Plan.
UFL vs NFL: What’s the Difference?
The UFL and NFL are two different football leagues, and the UFL is not trying to copy the NFL.
The UFL starts six weeks after the Super Bowl and ends in mid-June. This timing lets the NFL take over media coverage of football for most of the year.
There are some key differences in how the games are played:
- In the UFL, kickoffs start from the 20-yard line. In the NFL, they start from the 35-yard line.
- The NFL allows teams to catch the ball on kickoffs and place it at the 25-yard line to reduce injuries. The UFL doesn’t have this rule, so kickoffs are returned almost every time.
- After a touchdown, the UFL has different ways to earn extra points:
- From the 2-yard line: 1 point
- From the 5-yard line: 2 points
- From the 10-yard line: 3 points
- The UFL allows two forward passes during a play, unlike the NFL.
The UFL recently held a draft where players from the USFL and XFL were picked for UFL teams. However, NFL players cannot join the UFL if they are under contract with an NFL team. The UFL aims to give players a chance to be noticed by NFL teams.
Some current UFL players include Marquette King, DJ Swearinger, and Kade Warner, the son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner.
Famous players you might know in the UFL
Famous players you might know in the UFL
- AJ McCarron (Battlehawks): Former Bengals QB who had a great XFL season and won national titles with Alabama.
- Matt Corral (Stallions): Ex-NFL pick trying to bounce back from injuries; had a strong college career at Ole Miss.
- Hakeem Butler (Battlehawks): Starred in the XFL with many touchdowns and yards; rejoined the Battlehawks.
- Amari Rodgers (Stallions): Former Packers pick aiming to restart his career; had a solid college career at Clemson.
- Scooby Wright (Stallions): Top USFL defender in 2022; looking to recover from injuries.
- Darius Victor (Showboats): Powerful running back with over 1,100 yards last season.
- Reuben Foster (Roughnecks): Ex-NFL first-round pick trying to revive his career.
- Mark Thompson (Roughnecks): Strong running back with 14 touchdowns last season.
- Vic Beasley (Renegades): Former All-Pro and NFL sack leader.
- Marquette King (Renegades): Former NFL punter returning to pro football.
Final Words
The UFL combines the best of the XFL and USFL, offering spring football with unique rules and opportunities for players. With strong ownership and a distinct schedule, it aims to entertain fans and provide a platform for emerging talent.
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