Breaking News..Merger approved by government

[XFLUSFLGUY]

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

where was it stated that it was a 5+3 model? Everything im seeing seems to be 4 and 4

[4th&long]

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

where was it stated that it was a 5+3 model? Everything im seeing seems to be 4 and 4

If houston sticks with Roughnecks. If all cities will be playing in location they may go Roughnecks. If Houston plays all games in a hub (say memphis or Arlington) I can see it being Gamblers.

Just think of it this way... its not USFL or XFL teams ... its UFL or what USXFL merged league Teams now.

A bigger concern to me is the RUMORED cities only account for 11.3% of TV households and about half that is in Texas. Does that attract enough TV viewers??

[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.

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

Now that's true, the "original" Gamblers played in Houston for 2 seasons. But that was nearly 40 years ago. Not sure how much that history is going to sway a new fan who is used to seeing the Roughnecks now, who have also played 2 seasons. This modern version of the USFL has a Gamblers team that has not set foot on a field in Houston.

[XFL4ever]

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

where was it stated that it was a 5+3 model? Everything im seeing seems to be 4 and 4

If houston sticks with Roughnecks. If all cities will be playing in location they may go Roughnecks. If Houston plays all games in a hub (say memphis or Arlington) I can see it being Gamblers.

Just think of it this way... its not USFL or XFL teams ... its UFL or what USXFL merged league Teams now.

A bigger concern to me is the RUMORED cities only account for 11.3% of TV households and about half that is in Texas. Does that attract enough TV viewers??

Good questions.

I'm hoping DC, San Antonio, Arlington and St. Louis are locks, bonus would be Houston and Seattle. I wish Orlando had more of a following, but who knows? I love them too. The guessing game continues.

[laxtreme56]

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

where was it stated that it was a 5+3 model? Everything im seeing seems to be 4 and 4

If houston sticks with Roughnecks. If all cities will be playing in location they may go Roughnecks. If Houston plays all games in a hub (say memphis or Arlington) I can see it being Gamblers.

Just think of it this way... its not USFL or XFL teams ... its UFL or what USXFL merged league Teams now.

A bigger concern to me is the RUMORED cities only account for 11.3% of TV households and about half that is in Texas. Does that attract enough TV viewers??

I'm thinking the USFL probably looked at local ratings in NY/NJ, Philly, Pittsburgh, and NOLA and realized the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. With no Generals, perhaps the local rating in NYC drops from a .02 to .015, that's basically just static at this point.

[Rmbay]

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.

I don't know if it's a rich or lengthy enough history to warrant choosing it over a team that probably has more of an identification factor and social media presence at this point

[Dome Dome Dome]

Not surprising.

A lot of wishful thinking about the league size etc. Its clearly a transition year and about trimming fat. It absolutely has to be financially stable. Cutting back to eight teams, no geographical outliers, still three teams in Texas. Getting the merger through and playing hub free is a decent enough start and I think it looks palatable given some of the other possibilities that existed. Personally there's some things I don't like, particularly having three teams in Texas, but the real test will be into 2025/26 and beyond regarding sustainability and growth.

[Coffeeeyes]

This is the year USFL should have been looking at a hub free model. They went with teams that were already playing in their respective markets.

I don’t mind three Texas teams for the sustainability. I like the split. I’m sure there will be mad fans of Vegas, Orlando and Seattle especially but at the end of the day those teams are the fat that needs to be trimmed to allow this league to flourish in one of the biggest spring league developments ever in the alt football space.

I like the UFL name, it has recognition to it and allows them to market the XFL and USFL as United. I’m sure less talent being divided between leagues will mean better play too.

[MGB01]

where was it stated that it was a 5+3 model? Everything im seeing seems to be 4 and 4

If houston sticks with Roughnecks. If all cities will be playing in location they may go Roughnecks. If Houston plays all games in a hub (say memphis or Arlington) I can see it being Gamblers.

Just think of it this way... its not USFL or XFL teams ... its UFL or what USXFL merged league Teams now.

A bigger concern to me is the RUMORED cities only account for 11.3% of TV households and about half that is in Texas. Does that attract enough TV viewers??

I'm thinking the USFL probably looked at local ratings in NY/NJ, Philly, Pittsburgh, and NOLA and realized the juice wasn't worth the squeeze. With no Generals, perhaps the local rating in NYC drops from a .02 to .015, that's basically just static at this point.

Wellness check on Angelo Fiouris

[GDAWG]

The Markcast isn't positive about this move.