Today, both the XFL and USFL came out with statements confirming reports that came out last week of a potential merger between the two leagues. This news has essentially turned the spring football world upside down and has led to various unconfirmed reports regarding conditions surrounding the merger.
Beyond the announcement of both leagues’ intent to merge, not much official information has been shared. Thus, it should be noted that unless explicitly stated, everything in this article should be taken with a grain of salt.
So without further ado, here’s what we know (or don’t know) about a possible merger between the XFL and USFL:
Ownership
It’s been reported that Redbird Capital on the XFL side went to the USFL shortly after the league’s championship on Jul. 1, 2023. What started off as “casual discussions” months ago have morphed into these advanced merger talks, which were confirmed today.
Developing: Per source, hearing that it was Redbird Capital – on the XFL's side of things – who originally initiated internal discussions with the USFL.
Something to take into consideration regarding a potential #USFL & #XFL merger.
Contrary to what some people think, by no means were these initial discussions “last-ditch efforts” from either league to save their dying entities, as both leagues have indicated that they would be back in 2024 if these negotiations fell through.
Axios’ initial report of a possible XFL-USFL merger described it as what would be “a merger of equals.” But there has been contradicting information regarding who’ll have more control in this merged league.
— NJ GENERALS – FOX SPORTS RADIO NJ – USFL TODAY (@NJ_Generals) September 25, 2023
While there have been reports that USFL President Daryl Johnston would be the top guy in an XFL-USFL merger, there have been no indicators that XFL owners Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia will be stepping away from the byproduct of the league that debuted under their leadership less than a year ago.
As a matter of fact, they had similar messages on Twitter following today’s news:
Meanwhile, XFL President Russ Brandon assured players that “[the XFL ownership group] is committed to seeing the growth and success of spring football.”
“With the addition of Fox, the combined ownership [is] undisputable,” Brandon added. “[A] global leaders across sports, entertainment, media, brand marketing and business building.”
Update: A statement from @XFL2023 President & CEO Russ Brandon.
Something important to note: "Our ownership group" seems to allude that the #XFL ownership isn't going anywhere, but is a rather combined effort with the "addition of FOX" & their #USFL leaders. Time will tell. pic.twitter.com/gJtG1MhmuA
Regarding a TV deal, multiple reports have indicated that game broadcasts would likely be split between Fox – the entity that owns the USFL – and Disney – which signed a five-year deal with the XFL last year for the league’s exclusive TV rights.
Under this model, we’d see a TV schedule similar to what we saw with the 2020 XFL, when both Fox and Disney had exclusive rights to the league. This would mean a heavy quantity of OTA games, meaning more national attention and viewership for the merged league.
NBC also had TV rights to USFL games during the league’s 2022 and 2023 seasons, but it’s unknown if this relationship will continue.
It’s also worth noting that Disney is actively looking to sell ABC and part of ESPN, which may impact where fans can tune into these games in the future.
League Branding
Earlier this week, the USFL filed 22 trademarks revealing a potential XFL-USFL merger league name: “National Spring Football League” or “NSFL” for short. All signs have pointed to this being the new branding for the XFL-USFL merger
However, trademark attorney Josh Gerben tells me it’s “extremely likely” that the NFL objects to the NSFL trademark for this combined league.
Teams/Hubs
Arguably the most volatile of the variables surrounding this merger, it’s unfortunate that we might see as many as six teams between both leagues vaulted.
Neil Stratton of “Inside the League” reports that we may see 12 teams survive, with each league contributing six. He also reports that the USFL hub model may very likely be in play for the first season of this merged entity, which would ideally kick off in April 2024, utilizing the same calendar that the USFL used for its last two seasons.
While some fans may be against a hub model, where not all teams are immediately placed in their home markets, it may be the only solution to long-term success in spring football – which has seen countless leagues cease operations all within a couple of years due to financial difficulties. The WFL from the 1970s, USFL from the 1980s, XFL from 2001 and 2020, and AAF from 2019 are all prime examples of this.
While digging around for any merger updates, one of the quotes I got from a source close to the action (not revealing who):
"The XFL has a lot of things to contribute to the merger, but the business model isn't one of them".
— NJ GENERALS – FOX SPORTS RADIO NJ – USFL TODAY (@NJ_Generals) September 25, 2023
Jarren Horton, @USFLMaulers DC & #USFL Assistant Coach of the Year, with a remark regarding the USFL-XFL merger speculations:
"I know you all don't like hubs, but for the success of spring football they are absolutely necessary."
According to Stratton, we’ll likely see a split of hubs between both leagues. Birmingham, AL; Canton, OH; and St. Louis, MO are among the markets that will likely be host cities in 2024.
Regarding the teams/markets that will make up the rest of the 2024 field, teams with playing venues secured have the advantage.
If this is the case, the following #USFL & #XFL teams could be on the chopping block:
Houston (Gamblers or Roughnecks) NJ Generals NO Breakers Philly Stars Pitt Maulers LV Vipers
*Canton, OH is secured **Ford Field negotiations are underway ***Rice deal is almost finalized https://t.co/9nuK8JHAk3
We may also see a USFL team not already in its home market “relocate” to Canton for the 2024 season. A similar process occurred last year when the Tampa Bay Bandits became the Memphis Showboats to play home games in their own market.
Final thoughts
As I’ve said, all of this information should be taken dubiously, as nothing is official until it’s been confirmed by the league.
Until then, it’ll be “business as usual” in both leagues, with two XFL showcases set to take place next month and USFL free agency set to open up on Oct. 1.
