There is power in numbers, but poor planning can undermine any endeavor. When the XFL and USFL officially merged to form the UFL in December, their goal was to expand professional football in a nation consumed by the sport.
“At the creation of the UFL, we have the opportunity to build something formidable, thrilling, and incredibly captivating for football enthusiasts—a spring league that will have a lasting impact on all players with aspirations of playing professional football, fueled by the ‘hardest workers in the room’ mindset to turn their dreams into reality,” stated Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a partner in the league, during the merger announcement.
However, the decision to unveil the schedule for the upcoming 2024 season during the same week when the world is fixated on NFL football was not a wise one.
“The UFL now possesses exceptional platforms through which fans can engage with spring football. We are equally thrilled to welcome new and returning fans to our stadiums this season, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the energy surrounding spring football,” expressed UFL president/CEO Russ Brandon in a statement. “Our players are here to perform and elevate their game to the next level, and our fans will be treated to an outstanding on-field product and an exceptional in-stadium experience.”
On the day after the Super Bowl, coinciding with Roger Goodell’s annual press conference, the UFL disclosed its 43-game schedule, with the former league champions—the Arlington Renegades (formerly XFL) and the Birmingham Stallions (formerly USFL)—squaring off in the season opener on March 30th.
The teams comprising the league are the Birmingham Stallions (Protective Stadium), Arlington Renegades (Choctaw Stadium), Houston Roughnecks (Rice Stadium), D.C. Defenders (Audi Field), Memphis Showboats (Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium), San Antonio Brahmas (The Alamodome), Michigan Panthers (Ford Field), and the St. Louis Battlehawks (The Dome at America’s Center).
As per ESPN’s report, “every UFL game will be broadcast on either ABC, Fox, ESPN, ESPN2, or FS1. ABC/ESPN games will be streamed on ESPN+, and Fox games will be streamed on the Fox Sports app. Nearly three-quarters of the games will air on either ABC or Fox.”
One of the XFL’s notable strengths prior to the merger was its commitment to diversity among its head coaches. In its first season back in 2023, the XFL outshone the NFL by having half of its teams led by Black head coaches. The list included Hines Ward, Terrell Buckley, Reggie Barlow, and Rod Woodson.
Last season, both the USFL and XFL were engaged in a ratings battle, each striving to attract one million viewers on multiple occasions. The merger represents an effort to cultivate and expand the game. However, if the intention is to realize this dream, attempting to generate attention during the week when the Super Bowl monopolizes everyone’s focus feels more like a nightmare.