Breaking News..Merger approved by government

[nickp1991]

Mike Mitchell is probably the biggest rumor guy

[Rmbay]

Rumors on the net, so take it with a grain of salt, says 8 teams with the season starting March 30th. Teams are supposedly what you expect: DC, St.Louis, Michigan, Memphis, Birmingham, Arlington, San Antonio and Houston, although which Houston team is supposedly still up in the air (although I find it hard to believe that hasn't been decided by now).

A few things:

-If this happens, surprised that there's not going to be a team in Canton. My guess is that they could not decide which of the Maulers, Generals or Stars to put in Canton.
- It's a 5-3 on the XFL.

Can't say I'm surprised with Canton, especially if it's just 8 teams. They really helped out the USFL in the past few seasons and I'm sure the USFL people will forever be grateful, but the Maulers didn't really draw there at all and I'd imagine they would still like to eventually have both the Stars and Generals in Philly and NJ. And personally, if this league ever does expand into Ohio I would think Columbus might be their preferred destination.

[XFL4ever]

Oh man, here we go! I pray Arlington (Dallas) and San Antonio are part of this new deal.

I wouldn't mind a later start to the season (rumored in March, that's fine with me). It gives folks a chance to miss football a little bit. If you saturate the product people may get fatigued. I remember last year, no sooner did the wild Super Bowl between the Chiefs and Eagles finish, about 6 days later I was in SA watching the Brahmas. Although I love the XFL it seemed like football overload early on. But that's just me. I will watch the XFL anytime, but a bit of a later start is okay with me. Gives a chance to sell more ticket too, especially since we're now into the Christmas season with no schedule or single game tickets available yet.

[4th&long]

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/footba ... 234748527/

Its behind pay wall but its March 30

[XFLUSFLGUY]

https://twitter.com/ByMikeMitchell/stat ... 1757569192

The growing sense from sources within the USFL and XFL is that the new league will be branded as the UFL with only eight teams existing in 2024. With the remaining markets being put on ‘pause mode’.

One close source has indicated that the returning markets for the new merged XFL-USFL league will be Arlington, Houston, San Antonio, St. Louis, DC, Birmingham, Michigan , and Memphis.

Nothing finalized or confirmed yet:

[XFLUSFLGUY]

Wouldn't be thrilled about only 8 teams, but if it's true that some of these teams are on pause mode and will be reactivated at a future time, a year or two, then it's a little more digestible. Question is, which Houston team survives?

[XFL4ever]

Wouldn't be thrilled about only 8 teams, but if it's true that some of these teams are on pause mode and will be reactivated at a future time, a year or two, then it's a little more digestible. Question is, which Houston team survives?

Agreed.

And in terms of which Houston team makes the cut, I would hope the Roughnecks seeing as the Gamblers haven't played a single down of football in Houston.

[4th&long]

https://www.sportico.com/leagues/footba ... 234748527/

Its behind pay wall but its March 30

Per report above: The new league name, cities, broadcast sch, and other key details are still in development.

The gov "approval" was just a minor regulatory requirement and there was never any serious thought of non-approval ie waste of time, but regulators have to do their job by law. Its done now and with rumors of 8 teams we can dismiss the idea that # of teams jobs was in any serious way a condition.

Time to move on from that.

What is interesting is that the league is still not fully situated on league name, cities etc. I'm assuming this is legal and logistical in nature, ie stadium availablity starting March 30 for at least 8 teams, TV options avail, potential ownerships. And what can reasonably be done before 3/30 K/O.

One concern is the TV Households % that the new league will cover... at only 11.3% that will be the smallest only surpassing AAF. The league needs TV viewers to survive and thrive - period. I hope that 2025 brings NJ back and Philly or Orlando/Canton. The entire NE is not represented.

[yg1968]

Wouldn't be thrilled about only 8 teams, but if it's true that some of these teams are on pause mode and will be reactivated at a future time, a year or two, then it's a little more digestible. Question is, which Houston team survives?

Agreed.

And in terms of which Houston team makes the cut, I would hope the Roughnecks seeing as the Gamblers haven't played a single down of football in Houston.

The Gamblers played 2 years in Houston in the 1980s. The Gamblers have a proud history, the Roughnecks do not.

[yg1968]

I am not too happy about the 5 XFL -3 USFL Teams split, if true. I would have preferred more USFL teams.