Category: XFL

Merged XFL-USFL (United Football League) Sets 8 Markets, Tabs Coaches, Sets Opener

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.

UFL confirm that its March 30 opener will be played between the leagues’ 2023 champions: the Arlington Renegades (XFL) and Birmingham Stallions (USFL).

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.

Source: ESPN

Merger between Dwayne Johnson’s XFL and USFL approved for March 2024 launch

A report from Sports Business Journal has indicated that federal regulators have approved the merger of the XFL and the USFL.

The combined league is now set for its debut on March 30, 2024 to play a combined season, with terms being finalized of the definitive agreement per a statement from both parties.

The USFL, owned by Fox Sports, re-launched in 2021, while the XFL was purchased by RedBird Capital Partners, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Dany Garcia before playing a full season in 2022, following a shortened season in 2020.

Source: NBCSports via eWn

Merger Announced By XFL & USFL

The XFL and USFL have announced their intent to merge. The following was sent to us:

XFL AND USFL ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE

NEW YORK – September 28, 2023 – Today, the United States Football League (“USFL”) and the XFL announced their intention to merge.

Subject to customary regulatory approvals and if the transaction is consummated, the new league will establish best-in-class operations based on the most recent seasons of both leagues.  This historic combination will anchor professional spring football with substantial capabilities and resources to ensure future growth and continue to enhance the development of the collective players, coaches, and staff that are coming together. 

More details regarding the new league will be announced at a later date. 

About the United States Football League (USFL):

Fast, physical, and fun, the USFL is a fan-first, stand-alone professional spring football league. Run by experienced football leaders, the USFL kicked-off season 2 on April 15, 2023, becoming the first nationally televised spring league in 38 years to begin a second season. FOX Sports and NBC Sports are official media partners, presenting all 43 regular- and postseason games for the eight-team league that plays in Canton, Ohio, Birmingham, Ala., Memphis, Tenn, and Detroit. Former NFL Dallas Cowboys player and current FOX NFL analyst Daryl Johnston is President of Football Operations. Former NFL Vice President of Officiating and current FOX NFL analyst Mike Pereira is Head of Officiating. “United By Football,” USFL fans can find scheduling and ticketing information at theUSFL.com and follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

About the XFL:

The XFL is a fan-first, fast-paced global professional football league with innovative rules and an enhanced 360-degree game experience. Anchored in world-class football, the XFL brings entertainment and innovation to advance the sport, expand player opportunities, and change the way that fans experience the game. The XFL has eight teams in Arlington (TX), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Orlando (FL), San Antonio (TX), Seattle (WA), St. Louis (MO), and Washington D.C. The XFL is owned by Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners and launched in February 2023.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on USFL and XFL management’s current expectations and beliefs and subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances.  The transaction is subject to execution of definitive documentation and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Source: eWn

REPORT: The XFL Talks With USFL About A Merger

The XFL, owned by Dani Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital may merge with the USFL.

The XFL was purchased by Garcia, Johnson, and RedBird Capital in 2021 after Vince McMahon shut down the league due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league made a deal with Disney to broadcast games on ESPN, FX, and ABC.

The inaugural season took place earlier this year, with the Arlington Renegades winning the championship.

Axios.com reports that the XFL is in advanced talks to merge with the USFL, with a 50/50 merger and games broadcast on FOX and Disney-owned stations. Sportico also reports the two leagues are in talks.

The Rock Responds To The XFL’s $60 Million Loss In The First Season

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is focusing on the long-term amid reports that the XFL lost $60 million in its first season.

The former WWE Champion purchased the league in 2020 from Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment and hosted its first season from February to May this year.

It was reported by Forbes this month that the league lost $60 million in its first season which resulted in some layoffs being made.

Taking to Twitter, Johnson made it clear that he is optimistic about the league’s future.

https://twitter.com/TheRock/status/1668043939264475137

Officials who spoke to Forbes stated that the league has already been costed for the first four years of its existence.

Source: eWn

XFL 2023 Season Kicks Off This Weekend

The XFL’s long-awaited return to action in 2020 was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. Three years later, the spring start-up league has returned under new leadership, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s ownership group presiding over it.

The XFL’s 2023 season kicks off this weekend (February 17 & 18) on ABC and ESPN/FX

In conjunction, ESPN has announced that they will launch a weekly series to cover the league. Titled XFL Weekly, the show will air on Sunday at 2:30pm Eastern. It will be available on the ESPN app, ESPN social media channels, and YouTube. Jason Fitz and Skubie Mageza have been tabbed as hosts.

Week 1

Saturday, Feb. 18

GameKickoff timeTV channel
Vegas Vipers at Arlington Renegades3 p.m. ETABC
Orlando Guardians at Houston Roughnecks8:30 p.m. ETESPN/FX

Sunday, Feb. 19

GameKickoff timeTV channel
St. Louis Battlehawks at San Antonio Brahmas3 p.m. ETABC
Seattle Sea Dragons at D.C. Defenders8 p.m. ETESPN

Click here for the full 2023 schedule.

XFL Announces 2023 Schedule Ahead Of Next Month’s Kickoff

The Rock’s XFL football league will relaunch next month, with its games airing across various ESPN networks as well as ABC. The following presser was issued:

Season kicks off on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 3 pm ET on ABC with
the Vegas Vipers facing the Arlington Renegades at Choctaw Stadium

Opening weekend matchups include:
Feb. 18: Orlando Guardians vs. Houston Roughnecks at TDECU Stadium
(8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN & FX);
Feb. 19: St. Louis Battlehawks vs. San Antonio Brahmas at The Alamodome
(3 p.m. ET, ABC);
Feb. 19: Seattle Sea Dragons vs. D.C. Defenders at Audi Field
(8 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Season tickets now available and single game tickets on sale starting January 12, 2023.
For more information, please visit: www.xfl.com/tickets.

Arlington, TX and Bristol, CT – January 5, 2023 – The XFL today announced its 2023 schedule in partnership with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, the exclusive broadcast partner of the XFL.

Key details:

  • All 43 XFL games (40 regular season games, two playoffs, one championship) will be featured on a combination of ABC (7 games), ESPN and ESPN2 (22 games), and FX (15 games).
  • All XFL games will be streamed on ESPN+ and simulcasted in 142 countries around the world.

“Through the global scale and support of Disney and ESPN, our fans will have multiple options to access and experience the XFL across broadcast, cable, and streaming,” said Russ Brandon, XFL President, “With six weeks until kickoff, we are excited about our partnership and the immersive game day viewing experience that our collaboration will provide viewers.”

Tim Reed, ESPN Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions, added, “Throughout the 2023 XFL season, each platform will have unique opportunities to showcase key moments, from the Championship on ABC, Playoffs on ESPN and ESPN2 and a big opening weekend with games on ESPN, ABC and FX. We are also excited to provide another innovative offering for ESPN+ subscribers, with every game available live.”

The eight XFL teams are split into two divisions: XFL North (D.C. Defenders, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks, Vegas Vipers) and XFL South (Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians, San Antonio Brahmas).

“The alignment of our divisions creates instant rivalries and an added level of excitement,” added Brandon. “Fans at every XFL game will experience the energy and passion these players bring to the game while being immersed in a stadium experience designed to bring them closer to the action on the field.”

Opening weekend will kick off on Saturday, February 18, with the Arlington Renegades hosting the Vegas Vipers at Choctaw Stadium on ABC starting at 3 pm ET. Additional opening weekend matchups include:

  • Saturday, February 18: Orlando Guardians vs. Houston Roughnecks at TDECU Stadium at 8:30 pm ET on ESPN/FX and ESPN+
  • Sunday, February 19: St. Louis Battlehawks vs. San Antonio Brahmas at The Alamodome; at 3 pm ET on ABC and ESPN+
  • Sunday. February 19: Seattle Sea Dragons vs. D.C. Defenders at Audi Field in primetime at 8 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN+

ESPN will also televise the 2023 XFL Playoffs, which will take place on Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30, on ESPN and ESPN2, respectively, and streamed on ESPN+. The XFL Championship game is set for Saturday, May 13, at 3 pm ET on ABC and streamed on ESPN+.

The Vegas Vipers will play their home games at Cashman Field, a 10,000-seat venue in downtown Las Vegas. Fans will have access to parking, concessions, and tailgating areas before Vipers games during the season. For more details about the venue and season ticket deposits, please visit www.xfl.com/teams/las-vegas. Single-game tickets will go on sale at a future date.

Season tickets are now available for purchase at XFL.com/tickets, and single-game tickets for all teams other than Vegas will go on sale on January 12, 2023. Season tickets have two membership levels, gold and silver, which include exclusive benefits such as priority access to fan events, game day access to on-field experiences, merchandise discounts, and much more.

For more information on the 2023 schedules and broadcast details, please visit www.xfl.com/schedule.

XFL Announced Plans For The Supplemental Draft

The XFL announced plans for the Supplemental Draft on January 1, 2023.

XFL Draft Begins Today, League Reveals How To Watch

The XFL will hold its draft tomorrow, and the relaunched football league has revealed how to watch. The league announced on Monday that the Draft will begin on Tuesday, with several ways to tune in, as described in their press release below:

XFL Draft Week presented by ZipRecruiter is HERE!
It’s finally here. XFL Draft Week, presented by ZipRecruiter, begins tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15 and continues through Thursday, November 17. All the action starts with the QB Selection Show hosted by ESPN’s Stormy Buonantony and tomorrow evening you will be able to watch the behind-the-scenes program, Drive to the XFL Draft presented by ZipRecruiter airing on ESPN2. Wednesday is day one of the XFL Draft presented by ZipRecruiter with the conclusion on Thursday. Over the next three days we have a lot in store for you.

Below is a full schedule including the best ways to watch, follow along and be part of the action.

XFL Quarterback Selection Show: Streaming live on XFL.COM beginning at 11am PT/2pm ET.
Drive to the XFL Draft: Presented by ZipRecruiter premieres on ESPN 2 at 7pm PT/10pm ET.
Day 1 XFL Draft: Presented by ZipRecruiter: Begins at 8:30am PT/11:30am ET. Day 1 is broken into four positional groupings, with 11 rounds of selections per group.
Day 2 XFL Draft: Presented by ZipRecruiter: Begins at 7:30am PT/10:30am ET where specialists will be featured followed by open rounds.
Fans will be able to follow Draft events with a live and interactive Draft Central board at XFL.COM/DRAFT. Be sure to follow @xfldefenders where you will find specific DC Defenders selections & behind-the-scenes coverage each day.

And we invite you to be part of the excitement on social using #XFLDraft for a chance to have your content featured on Draft Central as part of the fan experience.

“The Draft is just the start of an incredible new chapter for these players. We cannot wait to welcome this inspiring new talent to the XFL.” said Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia.

Source: EWrestlingNews

XFL Announces It’s 8 Teams For The 2023 Season

Today the XFL announced it’s 8 teams for the 2023 season.

Arlington Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians, San Antonio Brahmas, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks and Vegas Vipers.

https://twitter.com/XFL2023/status/1587053113231523840
https://twitter.com/XFL2023/status/1587051767337844739