XFL CEO Russ Brandon will serve as the top executive of the merged XFL/USFL league

Federal regulators have approved the merger of the two spring football leagues with the 2024 season kicking off on Saturday March 30. The following information was released on the merger:

“We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30,” the two leagues said in a statement. “We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks.”

Much remains to be learned about the combined XFL-USFL. It’s not known for sure how many teams will participate in the combined league, with the two leagues combining with eight teams each. Rumors have it the new league will have eight teams, which would leave eight teams on hiatus.

One additional fact has emerged about the marriage of the two leagues.

Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, reported that XFL CEO Russ Brandon will serve as the top executive of the new venture.

Russ Brandon has been with the XFL since the fall of 2021, when he was hired as President, League and Football Operations.

Brandon is a longtime NFL veteran, holding various positions within the Bills organization for over 20 years. Before joining the XFL, Russ was the Managing Partner and President of the Buffalo Bills, President and Alternate Governor on the Sabres and COO of Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE), managing all aspects of the day-to-day business and administrative operations of the three entities. In his new role as President, Russ will manage day-to-day operations of the league while directing strategic planning for business and football operations on both the league and team levels.