The latest edition of a spring football league will be called the United Football League after the merged XFL-USFL leagues confirmed their merger.
Former XFL President/CEO Russ Brandon will hold the same position in the UFL. Former USFL president of football operations and current Fox Sports broadcaster Daryl Johnston will lead the new league’s football operations, the league announced in a press release.
The league has not made clear the number of teams in the league or the cities they will represent. However, the publication confirmed that the first USL game will be played on March 30, 2024 between the 2023 XFL champions (Arlington Renegades) and the USFL champions (Birmingham Stalions).
“From day one, our mission has been to grow football and be a league full of opportunity, culture and innovation,” Daryl Johnson said in a statement. “When we come together to create the UFL, we can build something powerful, exciting and very cool for soccer fans – a spring league with lasting impact for all players who dream of playing professional soccer and for the hardest workers in the space.” “Mentality to make their dreams come true.”
The USL release included five league “partners,” including three XFL owners — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital Partners — ESPN and FOX Sports.
“My dream was to play in the NFL. “I’ve always liked to say I’m player 54 on a 53-man roster,” Dwayne Johnson said on “FOX NFL Sunday.” “Imagine all those 54s out there, you tell them, ‘You’ve got another chance in the UFL,’ and then potentially go to the NFL – how do you think they’ll play? They’re going to freak out.”
“FOX is football, and the USFL’s success has proven that spring football has a bright future,” said Eric Shanks, CEO of FOX Sports. “The opportunity to bring our two leagues together – each with a commitment to advancing broadcast practices, rules innovation and community – only enhances the potential of the United Football League and cements its place in the sporting calendar.”
The USFL and the
The games will be televised by Fox, FS1, ABC and ESPN.
