The UFL is owned by National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC and XFL Properties LLC, with Fox Corporation owning the first entity, and Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and Red Bird Capital owning the second.
Founded: December 31, 2023
Country of origin: USA
Industry: Sports
Owner: National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC (Fox Corporation) (50%), XFL Properties LLC (RedBird Capital Partners, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia) (50%)
Type of Company: Private
Website: www.theUFL.com
What is the UFL?
The UFL is a spring American football league, which is a result of the merger between the XFL and the USFL.
UFL ownership
As a result of the merger between the XFL and USFL, the United Football League (UFL) is owned by the National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC and XFL Properties LLC. Which subsequently has the following ownership structure:
National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC
- Fox Corporation
XFL Properties LLC
- RedBird Capital Partners (Gerry Cardinale)
- Dwayne Johnson
- Dany Garcia
The exact ownership percentages of the different parties within XFL Properties is unknown.
The history of the UFL
The UFL itself is a new entity, being formally merged on the last day of 2023. However, since it was a merger, the history of the league stretches back in time. Let’s take a look at the history of the two leagues that make up the UFL, namely the XFL and the USFL.
The history of the USFL
The United States Football League (USFL) originally operated from 1983 to 1985 as a spring/summer professional American football league. It aimed to provide an alternative to the NFL by playing in the offseason. The league commenced with 12 teams, expanding to 18 teams through the addition of six expansion teams in 1984. It featured notable talents such as Heisman Trophy winners and future NFL stars, including Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie, Reggie White, Jim Kelly, and Steve Young, among others. Despite the talent and some initial success, the league struggled with financial stability and internal disagreements.
A pivotal moment came when, influenced by a few owners including Donald Trump, the USFL decided in 1984 to shift its playing season to the fall in 1986, aiming to directly compete with the NFL. This strategy included filing an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL, which the USFL won, but the victory was pyrrhic. The league was awarded only $3 in damages, a devastating blow that, along with accumulated financial losses, led to the USFL ceasing operations without playing the planned 1986 season.
In 2021, it was announced that the USFL would return in 2022, marking the fifth attempt to launch a league using the USFL branding, including the original 1980s version. The new USFL kicked off with eight teams and aimed to establish itself as a spring football league. It featured a mix of veteran coaches and innovative rules, seeking to attract audiences with affordable ticket prices and a blend of broadcast and streaming coverage. The league implemented a “bubble” setup for its inaugural season in Birmingham, Alabama, to mitigate risks and costs
The 2022 season concluded successfully, making it the first high-level spring football league to complete a season since the original iteration of the XFL in 2001.
The history of the XFL
The XFL, initially launched in 2001 by WWE owner Vince McMahon and NBC executive Dick Ebersol, aimed to offer a more intense and entertaining version of American football, running in the NFL’s offseason. Despite innovations like Skycams and on-player microphones, the league was heavily criticized for blending sports with professional wrestling gimmicks, leading to its collapse after just one season. McMahon and NBC each lost $35 million on the venture, marking it a “colossal failure”.
The league attempted to stand out with fewer rules, a “no fair catch” policy, and an alternative to the coin toss called “The Human Coin Toss,” which led to injuries and criticism for its unsafe nature. The XFL’s attempt to create a more raw and “real” version of football, combined with entertainment elements from wrestling, ultimately did not resonate with audiences or the media, leading to a significant drop in interest and ratings after an initially strong start.
In 2020, McMahon attempted to revive the XFL with a new vision that distanced the league from its original iteration’s entertainment gimmicks, focusing more on the sport itself. However, the season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the league filed for bankruptcy. The XFL brand was subsequently purchased by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his business partner Dany Garcia, marking a new chapter for the league.
In its latest iteration, the XFL sought to position itself as a minor league, operating during the winter and early spring months, and even formed a player personnel partnership with the Indoor Football League (IFL).
Merger
The merger between the XFL and USFL, announced on September 28, 2023, marked a significant development in the landscape of American professional football outside the traditional NFL calendar. This strategic union aimed to consolidate the resources, talent, and audiences of two prominent spring football leagues into a single, more competitive entity. The merged leagues completed the antitrust review process by November 30, 2023, setting the stage for a combined season to commence in spring 2024.
The new entity, named the United Football League (UFL), retains both the XFL and USFL brands as conferences within the league, signaling a harmonious blend of both leagues’ identities, histories, and team structures.
This consolidation is anticipated to enhance the quality of play, stabilize operations, and potentially create a more sustainable model for spring football, addressing the challenges both leagues faced individually, including financial viability and market presence.
This merger represents a hopeful future for the alternative football league ecosystem, providing a platform for players, coaches, and staff to continue their professional careers and offering fans year-round football entertainment. The UFL’s inaugural season is a landmark moment, signifying the potential for growth and long-term success in a market historically dominated by the NFL.