On November 15, 2022, the USFL and the City of Memphis, Tennessee announced that the Tampa Bay Bandits organization would effectively be relocated to Memphis as the Memphis Showboats, taking on the name and identity of the team from the original incarnation of the league. I think thats a telling sign with other attempts at spring professional football in recent times. "Today is a monumental day for the new USFL as we hit the 100-days-to-kickoff mark," Brian Woods, the USFL's president of football operations, said in a statement. Former Gunslinger safety Jim Bob Morris told the Express that he has been in talks with an executive from the new USFL regarding the potential of bringing a franchise to San Antonio. If the challenge is not in the favor of the coach who called it, his team will lose a timeout; if successful, he will keep the challenge and receive an additional challenge. We have bigger plans behind the scenes right now with FOX, that well be announcing in the upcoming weeks in terms of 2022 and beyond.. FOX Sports has a minority equity stake in the company (TSL) that owns the new USFL. We feel that not only can our league be a standalone, professional sports property and be dominant in the spring football space, but we also can offer players the opportunity to become a professional football player a little sooner than what might be [currently] allowed.. Cuts travel exp and possibly lodging while having local fans in stands and on TV.The one thing is for sure FOX needs sports programing, cheap programming or at least inexpensive; One that they have some control over.Curious about the fact they want more than 8 teams, that may really imply individual ownership as a way to raise capital, because 8 team is cheaper to run than 10 cost wise. The first season is everything, Woods, the leagues head of football operations, shared with me not long ago. We have not taken any option off the table for Season 2 and beyond, Woods said. When you account for all these things, Its easy to see why the suggestion of individual team owners is coming into play. A look at the new uniforms that will be worn by the Philadelphia Stars during the inaugural seasons of the new USFL. More specifically, we should have an announcement in the upcoming weeks in terms of the future of the league. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. It might still be a viable model even if better days are ahead in a post-vaccination world. Or perhaps, its because the AAF and XFL showed enough hints of how receptive the market can be towards pro football in the spring. The officers of the board of directors are generally president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and member at large. Brian Woods, who founded The Spring League and served as CEO of the developmental organization from 2017 to 2021, will be the USFL's president of football operations. Last month, at the splashy confirmation at Protective, Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks said nothing was in stone for year two. Joining him were some familiar faces, and great names to have in a startup. [6] This is the fifth attempt to launch a league using USFL naming, including prior attempts in 1945 (which later became the All-America Football Conference), a league proposed in the 1960s by eventual 1980s USFL founder David Dixon, the aforementioned league that existed between 1983 and 1985, and in 2010. The new . [38][39] In response, the league attorneys claimed "The new USFL registered its intellectual property rights in 2011". Eight teams were announced on November 22, 2021. The USFL has trademarked the San Antonio Gunslingers and other team names from the leagues past. Los Angeles - The new United States Football League (USFL) revealed city affiliations, names, and logos for the eight teams taking the field when the league debuts in April 2022: "We're excited to take this next major step in the development of a new USFL," said Brian Woods, USFL President of Football Operations. Your email address will not be published. The United States Football League in the 1980s had a very favorable review, Woods recalls. No principals from the former USFL are involved in the current league's ownership; Brian Woods, who had previously launched the Fall Experimental Football League and The Spring League, was initially the primary owner of the new league. Woods has a very staunch hammer behind this venturea multi-year deal with FOX Sports, coupled with programming on NBC. Woods says what keeps him up at night now is making sure we have a good product on the field, and I confidently feel we will. Although not directly connected, it's hard to argue that we'd see the USFL had it not been for The Spring League. Nor is The Spring League, a developmental entity Woods created with a North division playing out of Indianapolis and a South Division based in Houston. We are filling a very critical void, explains league Founder and CEO Brian Woods, that middle ground between college and the NFL where players still need time to develop. His one- and three-year-old were swirling around his home office. They need extra repetitions, they need to remain relevant.. Woods said he expects the level of play will be equal to major Division I college football. So they were throwing money around they didnt have. The goal from jump street was to lead up to a USFL launch, with teams from the leagues past returning to represent their cities. His column appears in The Birmingham News and AL.com, as well as the Huntsville Times, the Mobile Press-Register. According to Steve Ehrhart, former USFL executive director, he still owns the league rights and the "USFL still exists", while stating that the league officials still get monthly royalty checks. Back in April, on this site, an article raised the possibility of a returning USFL. The teams would then be expected to play in their own cities by Season 3. In the future, there is a chance the playing venues will be in the representative cities of the leagueobviously including Philadelphia. According to initial information, USFL players/staff would be housed in Birmingham during the season for an estimated economic impact of about $15 million (47,000 hotel nights), while the league would play the bubble season at Protective Stadium and Legion Field. Were positioned very well and have met all of our critical deadlines. The USFL brand might have scar tissue from its demise a few decades ago, but there is still some nostalgia and goodwill within that property By the time the XFL returns to the field, The Spring League might be waiting there for them as a viable challenger. Getting Spurrier to put back on his trademark visor for potentially the Tampa Bay Bandits will come down to whether or not USFL ownership is willing to meet his asking price. Wade Phillips was a guest of the Spring League this past May in their press box watching the action and was featured prominently on the FOX broadcasts. You start the USFL back up and dont even have a New Jersey Generals, Oakland Invaders, Philadelphia Stars, or Michigan Panthers playing, or playing in their home cities? Two weeks later on January 20, 2022, two more head coaches were announced. Our plan in the USFL is not to be a developmental league. Brian Woods - the founder and CEO of The Spring League from 2017 to 2021 and a co-founder of the new USFL - will serve as the league's President of Football Operations. [35] The Spring League, and later the NSFL, acquired most of the USFL's trademarks after the last attempt to revive them, the A-11 Football League, let them go dormant after its own failed launch in 2014. "I'm extremely passionate about football and the opportunity to work with Fox Sports and to bring back the USFL in 2022 was an endeavor worth pursuing," said Brian Woods, co-founder of the new USFL and founder and CEO of The Spring League. There is no denying that Phillips would lend great credibility to the league. But heres to the re-birth. "I'm extremely passionate about football and the opportunity to bring back the USFL in 2022 was an endeavor worth pursuing," said Brian Woods, co-founder of the new USFL. [11], On October 12, 2021, Tad Snider, the executive director of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, announced that the league was in serious discussions with the board of directors of the BJCC about the possibility of the USFL playing all of its games in Birmingham, Alabama. For cost purposes, its not out of the realm of possibility that the San Antonio Gunslingers, the Austin Stallions, and a Houston-based franchise could play at Rice stadium next spring. Sources have informed me that the USFL has already sent feelers out to Spurrier about getting him to come on board. After scoring their touchdown, a team must indicate whether they will go for 1, 2, or 3 points. This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:06. Post Week Two Power Week two TV ratings are in for the XFL 2023 season. Woods, who founded The Spring League, a showcase developmental league and scouting event from 2017 to 2021, happened to catch FOX Sports Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer Eric Shanks driving. There is no legal connection between the new entity and the source of its name, the original United States Football League, which operated from 1983 to 1986 and was officially dissolved in 1990. The move was necessitated, league officials said, by a too-close-for-comfort calendar conflict with the World Games opening ceremonies, long been slated for July 7 at Protective Stadium. Fox Sports owns the league and has reportedly committed $150 million$200 million over three years to its operations,[50][51] with plans to attract an additional $250 million from investors. They havent been able to finish a season. Some have speculated in the past that TSL is looking to get FOX to buy-in to their product, looking to sell part of the company to the media conglomerate. Prior to kickoff, The Spring League CEO Brian Woods join Dave Griffith of FOX 59 Indianapolis to talk about the upcoming season. Another vital key to the possible success of the USFL is that it has a good relationship with the NFL, according to Woods. Were certainly going to keep a solid relationship with the NFL.. Embed from Getty Images Although the league owns the trademarks of the old USFL, which operated for three seasons during the mid-1980s, the new USFL is not officially associated with that entity. [36] Ehrhart would later explain that he was only "trying to protect the league legacy". No laminated sheet of choreographed lines, circles, and Xs behind which Brian Woods, architect of the new United States Football League, may shield his mouth while shouting commands. "We're excited to take this next major step in the development of a new USFL" said Brian Woods, who made the announcement this afternoon on The Colin Cowherd Show on FOX Sports. And tens of millions of dollars is what its going to take, even if the league tries to operate on a shoestring budget. Justifiably. Theres no question were looking at a D-I quality of football, the quality of the on-field product will be pleasantly surprising to our fans, he promised. We feel that there is enough quality talent out there that we can support our league. Looking to the future though, it seems like Woods has some big plans for The Spring League. This article is about the new USFL. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). Shorter term, it seems like there may be some big news coming. As in the NFL, no fouls for pass interference or ineligible player downfield will be called if the ball fails to cross the line of scrimmage. Its been a whos-who acronym of failure, with the UFL (2009-2012), NFL Europe (1991-2007), the FXFL (2014-2016), the XFL (twice) and most recently the Alliance of American Football (2019) all collapsing. Colors and names just plastered on a bunch of guys in Orlando and Houston pretending to be 8 cities doesnt sound next step to me, but just TSL renamed something else. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Hes a self promoting lazy old coot. Former Steelers assistant coach Kirby Wilson will serve as the Maulers head coach. The league will have a minimum of eight teams. Many of the players in this league are going to be talented. Since its original announcement, the USFL had purchased more trademarks including new team names like the Birmingham Stallions, Jacksonville Bulls, and Portland Breakers, and variations on the already existing trademarks. Had they continued to operate in the spring, they might still be here today", said Woods. TSL, through their attorney of record Eric Lamb, has specifically filed trademarks for former USFL branded teams such as the Arizona Outlaws, Orlando Renegades, Birmingham Stallions, Washington Federals, Jacksonville Bulls, Oakland Invaders, Michigan Panthers, Oklahoma Outlaws, Portland/Boston Breakers, and five different Austin team names. Later on December 15, 2021, Fox and NBC had finalized their agreement. Several sources have indicated to me the genuine possibility that because of the short amount of time remaining for the USFL to set up shop in markets before their 2022 season, and for financial reasons, that the league could decide to play in an expanded hub city model next spring. [7][8][9] Upon the conclusion of its first season, the league became the first high-level spring football league to complete a season since the original iteration of the XFL, following the early shutdown of the AAF and COVID-19-induced hiatus of the second XFL. The old USFL went too big too soon. I think our scouts have done a really good job in evaluating players and even finding some that have slipped under the radar that have gone unnoticed. Blame Gov. One of the valid reasons for hub city sites was to deal with the current pandemic, but from a financial standpoint, the strategy made perfect sense. All of the heavy lifting has really been accomplished at this point, Woods said. Fox was also announced as a minority owner in the league. We certainly want to see what we can do this year in terms of making sure that theres some local feel to each team, even if its only a few players. The two spoke about the opportunities that The Spring League looks top provide for football players that are out of the college program, but not quite ready for the NFL. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. All rights reserved (About Us). Former Dallas Cowboys. The South will include the Birmingham Stallions, New Orleans Breakers, Tampa Bay Bandits and Houston Gamblers. USFL News Hub has confirmed . Especially in pod cities. Im sure that there will be instances where the NFL actively evaluates players in our league. That USFL is not here, of course. The proposed agreement increases minimum salaries and provides a stronger benefits package than they previously received, and slightly higher than most XFL salaries. [57], For the 2022 season, player pay structure was $45,000 for Active Roster players, $15,000 for Practice Squad Players, and $600 weekly during training camp. Especially if the plan remains having eight to ten teams residing in individual markets. Now a new version has risen in its place", "Will Birmingham play in the United States Football League? Catch all the action next year on FOX Sports.Listen as @USFLOfficials iconic #22 @DougFlutie weighs in on the leagues return in 2022. pic.twitter.com/K0Hw0N54rp. Brian Woods, who is the President of Football Operations for the 2nd generation of the USFL thinks Pittsburgh is a perfect fit this time around. Oakland Invaders is now St. Louis Invaders. February 10, 2022 / 4:38 AM Were looking for the next Sam Millstheres no question.. Its hard to put a value on that.. The game was broadcast by Fox and NBC, the first football game simulcast on over-the-air broadcast networks since the final week of the 2007 NFL regular season when a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants aired on CBS and NBC in addition to cable NFL Network. In theory, the USFL would set up multiple hub sites that would house and train three to four teams at once. Your email address will not be published. (Stallions, Wranglers, Renegades, Gamblers, and Outlaws). 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. June 8, 2021 Earlier this month, The Spring League's CEO Brian Woods announced that - along with FOX Sports - the group plans to bring back the USFL in 2022. We have no intent on taking on the NFL. For the original league which played from 19831985, see, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:06, "USFL, BJCC reach tentative MOU to bring relaunch season to Birmingham", "USFL to host all 2022 season games in Birmingham", "Stars vs. Starting this season, every game will be televised and The Spring League will be aired on FOX, FS1 and FS2 instead of just FS1 and FS2. Theres probably close to 1500 players in the transfer portal right now, Woods says. That ended the old USFL, which featured the Philadelphia Stars, the team that won the second league title and discovered eventual pro football Hall of Famer the late Sam Mills, a 5-foot-9 linebacker who the NFL previously never gave a chance. The only thing we know is Spring League Founder & CEO Brian Woods is a co-founder of the new USFL and that Fox also has a co-ownership stake in the league . The City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, and the Jefferson County Visitors & Convention Bureau have committed up $3.5 million to fund any losses, betting the investment will reap many-fold in tax revenue and other benefits, like the uncalculatable value of promised exposure on FOX and NBC, the two broadcast kahunas that will televise most of the games. [63] The proposed CBA includes an annual opt-out option. Football USFL from Twitter/USFLStars A look at the new uniforms that will be worn by the Philadelphia Stars during the inaugural seasons of the new USFL. Let us know down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord. He grew up in Florida, just north of Tampa, attended a Div. Woods wouldnt speak to specificity regarding any NFL rule tweaks the USFL may showcase, lead. The purple and orange with a logo of a steelworker using a sledgehammer, only lasted one year here and were the worst team in the league back in the 1980s. Brian Woods, founder and CEO of The Spring League, is the co-founder of the new USFL. (Adds statement from The Spring League in 18th and 19th paragraphs.) His goal is to create a dominant, stand-alone professional football league, he said. Woods launched The Spring League, another developmental league for aspiring players that began play in . We want to make sure that the markets have what they need in terms of resources, maybe potentially local investor operators. As in the NFL, replay challenges are automatic in the last two minutes of either half and the whole overtime, as well as any scoring plays and turnovers. The league will be mostly comprised of younger unknown players. So it makes sense that the USFL would try to reach into the nostalgia playbook and look to bring on some familiar faces with ties to the leagues past. During training camp, all USFL players will get $850 a week. It will be a ten-game season with a postseason but if you're interested in attending a game, you won't see the Maulers in Pittsburgh for at least a year. Ultimately, we feel these rules will be exciting for the fan and welcome changes.. The USFL will play 40 regular-season games here but skedaddle for Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where it will host its three playoff gamestwo semifinals and the championship gameat Tom Benson Hall of Fame Field. Why would someone leave school for the USFL? The Spring League is looking to be a feeder league to the likes of the CFL, XFL and NFL. If the right elements are there in place after the first season, it's could be very likely that Pittsburgh can see the Maulers in Pittsburgh," according to Woods. Despite not having the history that Steve Spurrier has with the USFL brand. They may sign more lucrative USFL deals. Learn how your comment data is processed. "[65] In addition to obtaining the rights to the USFL name and logo, the new league has obtained the rights to the aforementioned former league's team names including the Los Angeles Express, Chicago Blitz, Tampa Bay Bandits, and Houston Gamblers. Again. Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks announces the first game of the new USFL will air on both Fox and NBC on April 16 in prime time. All rights reserved. To make the USFL relaunch have some cache, the leagues leadership might have to. Well keep you posted as more information on The Spring League comes out. Had the original USFL incarnation not hiked up its britches, led by one full-of-himself Donald Trump, and tried to bully the NFL into a merger by shifting its schedule to the fall of 1986. The USFL is back! Mailbag: Would Russell Wilson even want to play for the Eagles? The North Division will consist of the New Jersey Generals, Michigan Panthers, Pittsburgh Maulers and Philadelphia Stars. If you want to be seen as a talent, the USFL is the place to show off your skills. (Only exceptions: A handful of high-profile college players who in the transform portal, are two years removed from high school and one year away from NFL draft eligibility and want to get paid rather than play another collegiate season. Were going to have really good talent to display in this league. "Pittsburgh is definitely an area that country that is has always shown to be supportive of professional football, the Maulers were very unique and important brand of the USFL", said Woods. 2023 WWB Holdings, LLC. Tampa Bay Bandits return with new USFL. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. [10], On June 3, 2021, it was announced that the United States Football League would be making a return and would begin its inaugural season in April 2022. The overwhelming response would be: Just finished the season; we have seen these other leagues come and go. If we can just finish our first season, that will certainly give fans a lot more confidence in what were doing, as opposed to some of these other failed efforts of the past.. All of which are currently listed as live trademarks on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website. He adds: We would not risk the eligibility status of a young player to sign with USFL club unless our player personnel department felt very confident that that young man was going to be signed. Since last months announcement, followers and supporters of the spring pro football concept, which has seen a mini-renaissance, with the AAF and XFL drawing favorable interest and reviews in recent years, have been waiting anxiously for the first big piece of news to drop about the USFL.