XFL, USFL in “advanced” merger talks

[nickp1991]

Hope they keep the name XFL

[Arlo99]

I think this will happen

league goes to 12 teams and they keep the XFL name maybe with a reworked logo with USFL colors

Vegas, Orlando, New Orleans will get contracted

both Houston teams will merge with XFL Houston team will remain.

XFL Conference
Arlington, DC, Houston, San Antonio, Seattle, St. Louis

USFL Conference
Birmingham, Memphis, Michigan, New York (rebrand New Jersey) Pittsburg, Philadelphia

XFL vs USFL for the new XFL Championship

[XFL4ever]

Season tickets for the XFL already went on sale, I wonder how much of that will need to be adjusted….

[Coffeeeyes]

Season tickets for the XFL already went on sale, I wonder how much of that will need to be adjusted….

We also have an XFL draft in October. If this is coming soon it needs to be before then.

I think honestly in 2024 we’re going to see the USFL move to after the Super Bowl, run concurrent with the XFL and then a XFL vs USFL bowl to decide the champion will take place. 2025 is a full merger where they start cutting down teams and linking everything together. The infrastructure for the XFL season is already in place and if they wanted to get rid of teams like the Vipers they’d be spending a lot.

[4th&long]

>>Neil Stratton@InsideTheLeague
Initial impression on the #XFL-#USFL merger: @USFL brings a committed TV network and @XFL2023 brings heavy capitalization. My understanding: talks have been ongoing since July & both leagues have held off on further developments/plans since in an effort to make this happen.
11:31 AM · Sep 19, 2023 <<

Something was holding up the Michigan ticket's going on sale... now we know. Its why Vegas's new home was not announced (there won't be any). Hopefully the Merger news breaks this week and details flood in over next week or two.

Every small city should be scared (Memphis, Birm, NOLA, SA) to lose a team. Teams with Domes may help their chances (StL, Mich, SA). Teams with no stadium options look out (Pitt). Low cost to operate cities without major sports competition and a viable stadium may survive (Memphis, Birm, SA). The long travel teams Seattle and Orlando may need to start sweating too. I'm still saying 8-12 teams with 8 most likely, then 10 and maybe 12.
Houston overlap and Vegas gone brings starting total to 14. So that leaves 2-6 cities losing teams.

Stay Tuned

[GregParks]

Season tickets for the XFL already went on sale, I wonder how much of that will need to be adjusted….

We also have an XFL draft in October. If this is coming soon it needs to be before then.

I think back to the "behind the scenes" video of the XFL Combine (which took place in late July) that was recently posted to YouTube and the meetings prepping for 2024 they showed with ownership as well as coaches/DPPs and am wondering if the potential of a merger was even brought up there.

[laxtreme56]

Another site seems to think NBC is out of the picture. NBC not reupping after its 2 year deal most likely sped up the merger talks.

https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2023/09/ ... HO97Xve5dY

[4th&long]

Another site seems to think NBC is out of the picture. NBC not reupping after its 2 year deal most likely sped up the merger talks.

https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2023/09/ ... HO97Xve5dY

Doesn't say that at all and all that article is derived from the Axios article. Its going to come down to inventory of games to televise and NBC's desire but this guy isn't adding any insight.

From Axios: https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-merger
>>Game broadcasts of the combined league are likely to be split between Fox and XFL media partner Disney, according to the source. The USFL also has a broadcast agreement with NBC, although it's not yet been determined if that will continue. <<

RBC reached out to USFL - if Disney stays then there's no room for NBC - depends on how many teams remain.

[GDAWG]

[4th&long]

Good find

>>XFL News Hub@XFLNewsHub
I'll leave you with this.. Not all teams will make the cut. on both sides #XFL and #USFL
9:10 AM · Sep 20, 2023 <<


No Sh#t, that's common sense - they are trying to cut cost and focus on TV viewership. I don't need insider info, just common sense.

Sticking with 8-12 teams with 8 most likely followed by 10 and least likely 12. But its in that range.