XFL, USFL in “advanced” merger talks

[Dome Dome Dome]

If its an April start, DC and Seattle are clearly going to have stadium problems as by that point the MLS and NWSL are both active.

Sadly I can see the hub garbage being a serious consideration.

[CFLfan_inPhilly]

Why does anybody still get surprised by the hub setup?

From day one, these leagues were designed to be television programming.

All the other pageantry is just to enhance the tv show.

But if those additional costs don't generate extra ratings, then it simply becomes lost revenue.

(This probably explains why the XFL lost so much money again)

[laxtreme56]

Why does anybody still get surprised by the hub setup?

From day one, these leagues were designed to be television programming.

All the other pageantry is just to enhance the tv show.

But if those additional costs don't generate extra ratings, then it simply becomes lost revenue.

(This probably explains why the XFL lost so much money again)

The hubs may save some money, but also bring in considerably less revenue. Basically 6 of one, half dozen the other. If neither league weren't willing to invest $500M-$1Billion in startup costs over 7-10 years, then just pull the plug and call it a day. If MLS could weather the storm and now gets $250M for a streaming deal, I'd like to think spring football could achieve those numbers in a decade. However, you need some skin in the game. If we get hub football in 2024 I'll just watch rugby or take up pickleball like every other millennial high school has been.

[MarkNelson]

Not sure if this is out anywhere else, but Neil Stratton's Inside the League Friday Wrap has this:

"We’ve since heard the leagues will play in six hubs, USFL-style, rather than in the teams’ home cities, a la the XFL. The latest information we’ve gathered is that Detroit, Canton and St. Louis are among the six locales under consideration to host teams. We’ve also heard the new league would like to expand into new markets that didn’t host teams from either league, including Phoenix and Louisville, potentially."

Combining forces only to go back into USFL-style hubs ain't it, fam.

I heard this same story from a different source on Friday. It's possible they heard it from the same place as Inside the League. Not sure. I hope its not true.

You know I hate all the rumors and speculation. That's all I will say about that.

[Rmbay]

If this is true and they're looking at 6 hubs, it seems to me that 10 teams in their own cities might have been a compromise no one really wanted if it meant not having at least one team in the NY/Philly area. One league is owned by a network, after all.

Personally not enthralled by the hub thing. It's one of the reasons I tended to prefer the XFL and the longer it goes on the more it hurts the optics of the league. Hopefully a single entity helps to secure investors and in turn helps secure home fields for all teams.

[4th&long]

If this is true and they're looking at 6 hubs, it seems to me that 10 teams in their own cities might have been a compromise no one really wanted if it meant not having at least one team in the NY/Philly area. One league is owned by a network, after all.

Personally not enthralled by the hub thing. It's one of the reasons I tended to prefer the XFL and the longer it goes on the more it hurts the optics of the league. Hopefully a single entity helps to secure investors and in turn helps secure home fields for all teams.

Understood. But 6/10 is a big move in right direction. And they really need NJ/NY... assuming thats one driver

[yg1968]

If hubs means more USFL teams, I am all for it. Having only 4 USFL teams in the merged league is not acceptable. It has to be 6 USFL teams minimum.

[sdem]

If its an April start, DC and Seattle are clearly going to have stadium problems as by that point the MLS and NWSL are both active.

Sadly I can see the hub garbage being a serious consideration.

The NWSL and the MLS already play during the XFL's current season. MLS starts in late Feb, NWSL in late March.

[GDAWG]

I think the only time people tolerated the "hub system" was when the NBA, NHL, MLB (for postseason), WNBA and MLS (for their return) all did it because of the Pandemic.

[4th&long]

If hubs means more USFL teams, I am all for it. Having only 4 USFL teams in the merged league is not acceptable. It has to be 6 USFL teams minimum.

I like both leagues watch just about every game (or replay) and follow the USFL more. But I think it comes down to cities and what's best for league. We don't even know how many teams yet.

Plus there are other factors... cost to operate, weather in location in Apr-Jun, how many domes they might want. But best for TV ratings is the big fator.

All things being equal from USFL i'd prefer Mich, NJ, Philly and the smaller low cost and established Birm and Memphis.

XFL has strong TV markets in Dallas, Houston, DC, Seattle. SA has the dome though and STL is FB starved and attendance kingpin. So Dallas, DC, StL, SA and Houston makes sense. Tha's a monster TV household reach league. Similar to XFL 2020.