What to expect from the USFL in 2024 (Hub wise)

[GDAWG]

The USFL has said that they will resume the hub format in 2024, with adjustments. This could mean that there will be a 5th hub next year, possibly New Orleans (since I think that is the easiest to strike a deal with Tulane) with the Breakers and Gamblers playing out there, leaving the Showboats all by themselves at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and Stallions by themselves at Protective (which I think is a good thing). So do we suspect that in terms of Canton they will play the whole "Canton is part of the Greater Pittsburgh Area" thing again as they did this year or does Canton finally get a team of their own?

The whole "we are going to put the Maulers in Canton because it's part of the Greater Pittsburgh Area" thing was just stupid. Canton is closer to Cleveland than Pittsburgh. Makes me think that the USFL did that because they were unable to get a deal to have the Maulers play at Acrisure. I would not be at all surprised if they keep the whole "Canton is part of the Greater Pittsburgh Area" for 2024. I will be surprised if Canton gets a team of their own. I am going to predict that the status quo remains there.

This is my prediction for the cities in 2024:

The Cities:

Birmingham- Birmingham Stallions
Canton- Pittsburgh Maulers, New Jersey Generals
Detroit- Michigan Panthers, Philadelphia Stars
Memphis- Memphis Showboats
New Orleans- New Orleans Breakers, Houston Gamblers.

I can't see the USFL expanding either, so I would be surprised about that. All 8 teams remain, but two of them get the stadiums all by themselves.

[Sykotyk]

I think they have to bite the bullet and get a hub in eastern PA or NJ for Philly and NJ. Leave pit (same name or not) in Canton. Add New Orleans and have them hub with Houston.

Viewership will go up if they can get Philly or NJ fans into the game.

[GDAWG]

I think they have to bite the bullet and get a hub in eastern PA or NJ for Philly and NJ. Leave pit (same name or not) in Canton. Add New Orleans and have them hub with Houston.

Viewership will go up if they can get Philly or NJ fans into the game.

it's not going to be easy to get to Philly or New Jersey, but I would not be surprised if they try.

[4th&long]

I think they have to bite the bullet and get a hub in eastern PA or NJ for Philly and NJ. Leave pit (same name or not) in Canton. Add New Orleans and have them hub with Houston.

Viewership will go up if they can get Philly or NJ fans into the game.

This ^

Sylotyk's nailed it.

NOLA is another mini market with little value add (re: ratings gain) its already doing well but its 1/12 the size of N-NJ/NY market and 1/5 the size of the philly market. They need more viewers - its a made for TV league - go where the fishing is good.

I can see at least some games in a combo of Philly/N-NJ with Stars and Generals hosting and away. The rest of their dates can fill out at Canton or Detroit.

In fact if they do not get to at least Philly (with partial Generals and Stars) it will make 2025 much more murky with the presence of the XFL. No XFL they could have taken more time.
This is why I'm concerned that the presence of both leagues could jeopardize both's survival.

[slammer66]

I do believe they will have to eliminate at least one hub team every season if not more. I do not see expansion as a possibility as long as the XFL is playing. It's sort of ironic that we have seen so many poorly managed and financed pro leagues come and go and now we have what is probably the two best managed and financed at the same time and I don't see how they can both survive due to the fatigue factor.

Thus, and I've said this repeatedly. Either one dies off or they merge. If they both continue I think they will both be KIA.

[Lone Star]

I do believe they will have to eliminate at least one hub team every season if not more. I do not see expansion as a possibility as long as the XFL is playing. It's sort of ironic that we have seen so many poorly managed and financed pro leagues come and go and now we have what is probably the two best managed and financed at the same time and I don't see how they can both survive due to the fatigue factor.

Thus, and I've said this repeatedly. Either one dies off or they merge. If they both continue I think they will both be KIA.

Merge, merge, merge!

And hopefully not into another 8-team league. 16 would be dandy - although you would undoubtedly see some relocation, the obvious thing would be to see if the Gamblers or Roughnecks stay in Houston - but even a 12-team league would draw more widespread interest.

[BattleHawks]

Merge, merge, merge!

And hopefully not into another 8-team league.

since both leagues were searching for investors to pay half their expenses, 4 teams from each league seems like the most likely way to accomplish that

it's actually kind of fun trying to figure out which 4 they would each keep, lol

[4th&long]

Merge, merge, merge!

And hopefully not into another 8-team league.

since both leagues were searching for investors to pay half their expenses, 4 teams from each league seems like the most likely way to accomplish that

it's actually kind of fun trying to figure out which 4 they would each keep, lol

If they did merge, and its all fun speculation for now - agree 8-team league seems most cost effective, though 12 weeks could be the season to add more game inventory esp if multi Nets are involved.

Though it may not be a 4/4 split. Seeing how 2024 plays out and which cities USFL enters and how XFL individual teams do will come into play. Geography, costs, travel exp, local engagement, stadium availability, and of course market share will be among the factors.

I can see StL, Arlington, Houston, DC, Detroit, Birm, NJ as higher potential assuming a 2025 season
- Memphis is small but may be cost effective.
- Houston is a large & growing market but depending on season start/end may be too hot/weather prone.
- SA offers a Dome for weather protection, and is w/o NFL/MLB/NHL
- Philly may be out if no presence est. in 2024, but a NJ/Philly/DC combo has travel cost advantages & Mkt size

The above are concentrated and offer certain benefits, if they look outside they may keep a FL team (Orlando or even re-established TB) or Seattle. Florida is a FB state and is large pop. I see Florida over Seattle.

Its all about TV viewership and cost containment, do we see any of this? We'll see.

[GDAWG]

Merge, merge, merge!

And hopefully not into another 8-team league.

since both leagues were searching for investors to pay half their expenses, 4 teams from each league seems like the most likely way to accomplish that

it's actually kind of fun trying to figure out which 4 they would each keep, lol

If they did merge, and its all fun speculation for now - agree 8-team league seems most cost effective, though 12 weeks could be the season to add more game inventory esp if multi Nets are involved.

Though it may not be a 4/4 split. Seeing how 2024 plays out and which cities USFL enters and how XFL individual teams do will come into play. Geography, costs, travel exp, local engagement, stadium availability, and of course market share will be among the factors.

I can see StL, Arlington, Houston, DC, Detroit, Birm, NJ as higher potential assuming a 2025 season
- Memphis is small but may be cost effective.
- Houston is a large & growing market but depending on season start/end may be too hot/weather prone.
- SA offers a Dome for weather protection, and is w/o NFL/MLB/NHL
- Philly may be out if no presence est. in 2024, but a NJ/Philly/DC combo has travel cost advantages & Mkt size

The above are concentrated and offer certain benefits, if they look outside they may keep a FL team (Orlando or even re-established TB) or Seattle. Florida is a FB state and is large pop. I see Florida over Seattle.

Its all about TV viewership and cost containment, do we see any of this? We'll see.

if there is ever going to be a merger, they are only keeping one Houston team, the Roughnecks. The Gamblers are gone in that situation unless relocated.

[Lone Star]

Merge, merge, merge!

And hopefully not into another 8-team league.

since both leagues were searching for investors to pay half their expenses, 4 teams from each league seems like the most likely way to accomplish that

it's actually kind of fun trying to figure out which 4 they would each keep, lol

If they did merge, and its all fun speculation for now - agree 8-team league seems most cost effective, though 12 weeks could be the season to add more game inventory esp if multi Nets are involved.

Though it may not be a 4/4 split. Seeing how 2024 plays out and which cities USFL enters and how XFL individual teams do will come into play. Geography, costs, travel exp, local engagement, stadium availability, and of course market share will be among the factors.

I can see StL, Arlington, Houston, DC, Detroit, Birm, NJ as higher potential assuming a 2025 season
- Memphis is small but may be cost effective.
- Houston is a large & growing market but depending on season start/end may be too hot/weather prone.
- SA offers a Dome for weather protection, and is w/o NFL/MLB/NHL
- Philly may be out if no presence est. in 2024, but a NJ/Philly/DC combo has travel cost advantages & Mkt size

The above are concentrated and offer certain benefits, if they look outside they may keep a FL team (Orlando or even re-established TB) or Seattle. Florida is a FB state and is large pop. I see Florida over Seattle.

Its all about TV viewership and cost containment, do we see any of this? We'll see.

Hopefully if/when a merger happens the USFL is completely away from hubs and there are 12 markets with good fanbases and interested local investors.

Again, I'd love to see a 16-team "super spring league," but if I had to cut it down to 12:

WEST
Denver/Colorado Gold (could play at Air Force, CU, or CSU)
Houston Roughnecks
Oklahoma Renegades
Portland Breakers
San Antonio Bexars (pronounced "Bears," after Bexar County where San Antonio is located)
Seattle Dragons

EAST
Birmingham Stallions
DC Defenders
Memphis Showboats
Ohio Maulers (Columbus)
Philadelphia Stars
St. Louis BattleHawks

Rights to the Panthers are sold to a CFL expansion ownership group bringing a team to Windsor called the Windsor-Michigan Panthers.