#USFLPA Merger Allocation Process: Gentlemen, We have been given confirmation of the following surviving USFL teams for the 2024 season: Michigan, Houston, Memphis, Birmingham. Coaches met today to finalize remaining staff as the Memphis HC has been named. There will be a three (3) phase allocation process going into camp next season.
With four USFL teams making it into a merged league that will begin play in 2024, teams that represented New Jersey, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will not play.
There is no mention as to which XFL teams will play in 2024 and the XFL has not confirmed any decisions on this matter. However, with the USFL confirming their Houston franchise will play in 2024 there is little hope that the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks will be part of the merged league.
Also in text messages to players, the USFLPA outlined how players would be allocated leading up to the 2024 season.
In “Phase 1” of player allocation each surviving USFL team shall designate which USFL Contract Players assigned to that team would be designated as “protected.” The team would be able to protect up to forty two (42) USFL Contract Players who were assigned to the team making the selection. Within a period designated by the league, each surviving team shall notify each protected player of such player’s protected status.
In “Phase 2” each surviving team shall have the right to claim as additional “protected” players up to twenty (20) USFL contract players which were assigned to a non-surviving USFL team. The league may establish procedures to address multiple claims for the same player. Each surviving team shall notify each claimed player.
In “Phase 3” there will be a dispersal draft where all USFL players on a roster of a USFL team during the 2023 season who were not “protected” during Phases 1 or 2 would be eligible to participate. This draft would be conducted by all teams participating in the 2024 season, including USFL “surviving” teams and the “surviving” teams of any other professional football league (e.g., the XFL) that will participate in the 2024 season.
Non-contracted players who previously played in the USFL and any other professional football league (XFL) whose teams will participate in the 2024 season may be signed by the league prior to the dispersal draft for the purpose of participating in the draft. This free agent process is similar to how the USFL draft was conducted in 2022. Non-contracted players would have to sign prior to entering the draft.
With information as to the USFL side of the process, XFL players currently await similar information from their league. It is hoped this information would be made available before the holidays as it would assist players to know more definitely what the future holds for their professional football careers.
