XFL, USFL in “advanced” merger talks

[GregParks]

Also, all of the USFL teams have mascots and I think the ones with actual home stadiums have cheerleaders and the XFL has none of that. So would it be that the USFL teams that remain will have mascots and cheerleaders while none of the XFL teams have them? Or will they get rid of them?

I have to imagine that's probably not a top-of-mind concern for the leagues right now with everything else that has to be hashed out.

[GDAWG]

Birmingham, Memphis and Detroit are locks to join if this happens. The rest of the USFL? Maybe they keep a team in Ohio, but move them to Columbus. However, it could also mean that the XFL could have access to older USFL trademarks if they want to use them like the Chicago Blitz, Arizona Outlaws and Denver Gold.

[4th&long]

Some key questions I'm looking forward to seeing answered, if/when this gets officially rolled out:

-Composition of teams from league perspective - what teams stay, what teams go, how many in total
-What months does the league year run? Do they go with the XFL or USFL sked, or a mix?
-Hub status - both leagues have hubs, but in different ways. How does that all shake out?

Logistically, there are tons of hurdles to this even with three months of talks already (we were told that XFL stadiums already had date holds, what will player contracts look like, USFL player's union involvement, the list goes on) for this to take effect in 2024. "Ambitious" doesn't begin to describe what they're going for here.

The number of teams will be reduced likely 8-10 but no more than 12.

- COMPOSITION/HUB STATUS already posted but: Likely 8 or 10 teams: DALLAS, ST L, HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM
This covers 16.7% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis hubs with games also played in DC, St L

For 10 team USXFL:DALLAS ST L HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC SA
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM PHILLY
This covers 20.05% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis, DC hubs with games also played in SA, St L
(if Philly & NJ together too costly may stay with NOLA with either NJ or PHILLY gone, that drops 2% of US HH to 18.1%)
- MONTHS- Interesting here FOX wanted Mid-Late Spring for TV, but Winter early Spring better for ratings- not sure. Will be interesting

The hurdles aren't as big as you may think. I don't see this as that ambitious. Its easier to contract vs launch by far... they can do it even if they suspend a couple teams for a season. Hopefully the Union goes bye bye and the league can reduce expenses ie comp though it will still be good enough.

[GDAWG]

Some key questions I'm looking forward to seeing answered, if/when this gets officially rolled out:

-Composition of teams from league perspective - what teams stay, what teams go, how many in total
-What months does the league year run? Do they go with the XFL or USFL sked, or a mix?
-Hub status - both leagues have hubs, but in different ways. How does that all shake out?

Logistically, there are tons of hurdles to this even with three months of talks already (we were told that XFL stadiums already had date holds, what will player contracts look like, USFL player's union involvement, the list goes on) for this to take effect in 2024. "Ambitious" doesn't begin to describe what they're going for here.

The number of teams will be reduced likely 8-10 but no more than 12.

- COMPOSITION/HUB STATUS already posted but: Likely 8 or 10 teams: DALLAS, ST L, HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM
This covers 16.7% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis hubs with games also played in DC, St L

For 10 team USXFL:DALLAS ST L HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC SA
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM PHILLY
This covers 20.05% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis, DC hubs with games also played in SA, St L
(if Philly & NJ together too costly may stay with NOLA with either NJ or PHILLY gone, that drops 2% of US HH to 18.1%)
- MONTHS- Interesting here FOX wanted Mid-Late Spring for TV, but Winter early Spring better for ratings- not sure. Will be interesting

The hurdles aren't as big as you may think. I don't see this as that ambitious. Its easier to contract vs launch by far... they can do it even if they suspend a couple teams for a season. Hopefully the Union goes bye bye and the league can reduce expenses ie comp though it will still be good enough.

The USFLPA is needed to suit the needs of the players. The management of the XFL has dealt with unions before as Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley both used to work for the Buffalo Bills. Also, XFL Owner Dwayne Johnson is a member of SAG-AFTRA. So it's not like a players association is a foreign concept to the management of the XFL.

I can't see New Jersey and Philly happening.

[4th&long]

Some key questions I'm looking forward to seeing answered, if/when this gets officially rolled out:

-Composition of teams from league perspective - what teams stay, what teams go, how many in total
-What months does the league year run? Do they go with the XFL or USFL sked, or a mix?
-Hub status - both leagues have hubs, but in different ways. How does that all shake out?

Logistically, there are tons of hurdles to this even with three months of talks already (we were told that XFL stadiums already had date holds, what will player contracts look like, USFL player's union involvement, the list goes on) for this to take effect in 2024. "Ambitious" doesn't begin to describe what they're going for here.

The number of teams will be reduced likely 8-10 but no more than 12.

- COMPOSITION/HUB STATUS already posted but: Likely 8 or 10 teams: DALLAS, ST L, HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM
This covers 16.7% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis hubs with games also played in DC, St L

For 10 team USXFL:DALLAS ST L HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC SA
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM PHILLY
This covers 20.05% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis, DC hubs with games also played in SA, St L
(if Philly & NJ together too costly may stay with NOLA with either NJ or PHILLY gone, that drops 2% of US HH to 18.1%)
- MONTHS- Interesting here FOX wanted Mid-Late Spring for TV, but Winter early Spring better for ratings- not sure. Will be interesting

The hurdles aren't as big as you may think. I don't see this as that ambitious. Its easier to contract vs launch by far... they can do it even if they suspend a couple teams for a season. Hopefully the Union goes bye bye and the league can reduce expenses ie comp though it will still be good enough.

The USFLPA is needed to suit the needs of the players. The management of the XFL has dealt with unions before as Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley both used to work for the Buffalo Bills. Also, XFL Owner Dwayne Johnson is a member of SAG-AFTRA. So it's not like a players association is a foreign concept to the management of the XFL.

I can't see New Jersey and Philly happening.

NJ and Philly make up 8.6% of the TV Market in the league - to get rid of NJ alone is a major no-no for TV. ANd Philly is big too.

[GDAWG]

The number of teams will be reduced likely 8-10 but no more than 12.

- COMPOSITION/HUB STATUS already posted but: Likely 8 or 10 teams: DALLAS, ST L, HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM
This covers 16.7% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis hubs with games also played in DC, St L

For 10 team USXFL:DALLAS ST L HOUSTON (Gamblers or Roughnecks) DC SA
MICH NJ MEMPHIS BIRMINGHAM PHILLY
This covers 20.05% of US households. Dallas Birm Memphis, DC hubs with games also played in SA, St L
(if Philly & NJ together too costly may stay with NOLA with either NJ or PHILLY gone, that drops 2% of US HH to 18.1%)
- MONTHS- Interesting here FOX wanted Mid-Late Spring for TV, but Winter early Spring better for ratings- not sure. Will be interesting

The hurdles aren't as big as you may think. I don't see this as that ambitious. Its easier to contract vs launch by far... they can do it even if they suspend a couple teams for a season. Hopefully the Union goes bye bye and the league can reduce expenses ie comp though it will still be good enough.

The USFLPA is needed to suit the needs of the players. The management of the XFL has dealt with unions before as Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley both used to work for the Buffalo Bills. Also, XFL Owner Dwayne Johnson is a member of SAG-AFTRA. So it's not like a players association is a foreign concept to the management of the XFL.

I can't see New Jersey and Philly happening.

NJ and Philly make up 8.6% of the TV Market in the league - to get rid of NJ alone is a major no-no for TV. ANd Philly is big too.

I get that, but if the USFL had a hard time getting them to play in NJ and Philly, what makes you think this merged league would have better results?

[4th&long]

The USFLPA is needed to suit the needs of the players. The management of the XFL has dealt with unions before as Russ Brandon and Doug Whaley both used to work for the Buffalo Bills. Also, XFL Owner Dwayne Johnson is a member of SAG-AFTRA. So it's not like a players association is a foreign concept to the management of the XFL.

I can't see New Jersey and Philly happening.

NJ and Philly make up 8.6% of the TV Market in the league - to get rid of NJ alone is a major no-no for TV. ANd Philly is big too.

I get that, but if the USFL had a hard time getting them to play in NJ and Philly, what makes you think this merged league would have better results?

Because the league will die w/o TV ratings. Also they were looking for investors before expanding and with RBC they now have that. Its why I think Dallas and DC will be in the "USXFL" they are top ten TV markets.

ST L is Pitt sized but has no NFL team and the attendance makes a return very likely.

[GDAWG]

NJ and Philly make up 8.6% of the TV Market in the league - to get rid of NJ alone is a major no-no for TV. ANd Philly is big too.

I get that, but if the USFL had a hard time getting them to play in NJ and Philly, what makes you think this merged league would have better results?

Because the league will die w/o TV ratings. Also they were looking for investors before expanding and with RBC they now have that. Its why I think Dallas and DC will be in the "USXFL" they are top ten TV markets.

ST L is Pitt sized but has no NFL team and the attendance makes a return very likely.

If they go to Philly or New Jersey, I'll believe it when they officially announce it. Until then, I have my doubts that they will find places to play.

[4th&long]

I get that, but if the USFL had a hard time getting them to play in NJ and Philly, what makes you think this merged league would have better results?

Because the league will die w/o TV ratings. Also they were looking for investors before expanding and with RBC they now have that. Its why I think Dallas and DC will be in the "USXFL" they are top ten TV markets.

ST L is Pitt sized but has no NFL team and the attendance makes a return very likely.

If they go to Philly or New Jersey, I'll believe it when they officially announce it. Until then, I have my doubts that they will find places to play.

Also with DC already there and Philly/NJ a PA or VA hub with all teams traveling to their stadiums would be cost effective and reduce travel exp too. DC>PHILLY>NJ ll travel by bus.

[MGB01]

Hell, NJ would be worth it just for our buddy Angelo "Vito" Fiouris, who I guess would definitely be Rory McIlroy to the XFL's LIV