USFL/XFL tribalism is cute

[MarkNelson]

I find the XFL and USFL tribalism kind of cute. Fans of each league seem to be determined to carry their allegiance into the UFL. This could be a fun season, depending on what happens, but I see the comparisons continuing in all aspects of performance, ie., wins, losses, attendance, television ratings, etc.  The championship game should be akin to a battle royale. 

Should be entertaining. 

[Sounder]

It's looks to me like the this leagues "super bowl" is opening the season.  Whatever rating it gets will set the tone.....can it beat the better than 3 million viewers they got in 2020?  The promotion has been good....I say it happens.  And I hope it's a good show because then people might tune in for more.   And this is an opportunity they have that won't occur again.

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

It's looks to me like the this leagues "super bowl" is opening the season.  Whatever rating it gets will set the tone.....can it beat the better than 3 million viewers they got in 2020?  The promotion has been good....I say it happens.  And I hope it's a good show because then people might tune in for more.   And this is an opportunity they have that won't occur again.

I don't think so. We'll be over a month removed from the last meaningful football game, so casual fans will be out of "football mode" by then. There's a lot of competition from all the NCAA winter sports championships that drove XFL ratings to embarrassingly low ratings last year this time.

2 million is in reach, but 3? I don't think so. 

[4th&long]

It's looks to me like the this leagues "super bowl" is opening the season.  Whatever rating it gets will set the tone.....can it beat the better than 3 million viewers they got in 2020?  The promotion has been good....I say it happens.  And I hope it's a good show because then people might tune in for more.   And this is an opportunity they have that won't occur again.

I don't think so. We'll be over a month removed from the last meaningful football game, so casual fans will be out of "football mode" by then. There's a lot of competition from all the NCAA winter sports championships that drove XFL ratings to embarrassingly low ratings last year this time.

2 million is in reach, but 3? I don't think so. 

I don't see a day time game in late March 30th  vs XFL 2020 Feb 8th.  Weather plays a big part in viewership IMO, esp with younger demo.  Now being Easter weekend and a couple weeks better than 2022 helps,

I'm saying 1.2-1.4 mm depending on competition, weather etc.   ESPN may do better on Easter Sunday.

My initial assessment for season is better than 2022 and both 2023 but no where near what XFL 2020 got.  Though it may be more consistent from start to finish.

Main reasons:
1) 2020 was played in Winter - the later half of season was never played. Winter IMO is a major advantage
2) VM and his money and promotion were much larger
3) The Markets for 2020 were 22% household market share.  The 2024 markets are only 11.3% - Half.  That to me is a big issue.
4) ESPN and Fox, plus 2 year lead up to launch

[MGB01]

It's looks to me like the this leagues "super bowl" is opening the season.  Whatever rating it gets will set the tone.....can it beat the better than 3 million viewers they got in 2020?  The promotion has been good....I say it happens.  And I hope it's a good show because then people might tune in for more.   And this is an opportunity they have that won't occur again.

I don't think so. We'll be over a month removed from the last meaningful football game, so casual fans will be out of "football mode" by then. There's a lot of competition from all the NCAA winter sports championships that drove XFL ratings to embarrassingly low ratings last year this time.

2 million is in reach, but 3? I don't think so. 

It's possible, not certainly possible but not non-existent. Albeit a simulcast, the USFL got three mil opposite Steph Curry and the Dubs opening the playoffs on ABC (which I might add with casuals "out of football mode" since Super Bowl LVI).

As far as what happens onward: This time, there's no disadvantage of loading up on low-rated cable channels due to getting lost in the programming pecking order--the calendar shift assures it, which is why I'm not totally sold on a return to post-SB in 2025. Look at the relative steadiness in the viewership from late March onward vs. 2020

[4th&long]

It was one league or a blood bath... said that from get go... and VP of Ops says similar:



>>  James Larsen@JamesLarsenPFN #UFL Head of Football Operations, Daryl Johnston, on the #USFL-#XFL Merger (via@SASportsStar): "For spring football to be sustainable, we had to come together. We couldn't stand toe to toe and fight each other, one of us was going to lose, it didn't make sense." 11:30 AM · Feb 12, 2024  << 

[Sounder]

Perhaps this tribalism could make for an all star game at the end of the season between the two conferences that might actually mean something.

[Rmbay]

Perhaps this tribalism could make for an all star game at the end of the season between the two conferences that might actually mean something.

Interesting idea, but I think many of those good enough for all-star accreditation would probably be in the process of getting signed by NFL teams or wouldn't want to risk injury due to the possibility of getting a look.   The talent attrition you could see might wind up being worse than the Pro Bowl. 

[Sounder]

Perhaps this tribalism could make for an all star game at the end of the season between the two conferences that might actually mean something.

Interesting idea, but I think many of those good enough for all-star accreditation would probably be in the process of getting signed by NFL teams or wouldn't want to risk injury due to the possibility of getting a look.   The talent attrition you could see might wind up being worse than the Pro Bowl. 

On the contrary......an all star game is another opportunity to showcase the best of the best AHEAD of them possibly signing an NFL deal.

[Rmbay]

Perhaps this tribalism could make for an all star game at the end of the season between the two conferences that might actually mean something.

Interesting idea, but I think many of those good enough for all-star accreditation would probably be in the process of getting signed by NFL teams or wouldn't want to risk injury due to the possibility of getting a look.   The talent attrition you could see might wind up being worse than the Pro Bowl. 

On the contrary......an all star game is another opportunity to showcase the best of the best AHEAD of them possibly signing an NFL deal.

You don't need an all-star game for that.  They'll have 10 weeks of tape at least.  All it would be is a meaningless game they could get hurt in.