The big question is, if and when the maulers come to Pittsburgh, where will they play? You can short-change players on salaries, but you are still going to have to pay anywhere from 320 to 400 players, depending on how many teams you have. ", "Former USFL Exec Steve Ehrhart Clarifies League Name & Logo Statement", "Larry Csonka has role in lawsuit filed trying to block FOX Sports' launch of USFL", "USFL lawsuit, explained: Why Larry Csonka, old USFL teams and owners are suing the new league", "Fox Sports Responds To Original USFL Owners' Attempt To Block Relaunch Of League", "New USFL adds 3 point conversions and best of three rule twists", "USFL announces new running clock for first and third quarters hopes to keep future games under three hours", "USFL rules: 3-point conversions, two forward passes, and much more,", "USFL to eliminate chains, measure first downs with chip in ball and yellow line on TV", "USFL makes midseason rules change regarding PAT option, at Jeff Fisher's request", "USFL makes a midseason rule change for Jeff Fisher, who could not change his point-after attempt option last week", "USFL rules, explained: The biggest differences vs. NFL, including overtime, 3-point attempts & more,", "USFL will decide overtime in a 2-point shootout,", "After decades dormant, USFL to relaunch in '22", "Potential economic boom in store for Alabama with 'unprecedented' Fox Sports USFL proposal", "USFL Officially Selling Tickets For Inaugural Game, Starting At $10", "NFL Draft: CFC100 OL Liam Dobson receives two mini-camp invites CanadaFootballChat.com", "USFL eager to attract bettors, announces that 15 states have approved legal betting on USFL games", "USFL giving players and staff tuition-free, debt-free college degree program", "USFL CBA Ratification Vote Set for January 9th", "Details on USFL Player Contracts & Pay Reportedly Leak", "Details Emerge on USFL Win Bonus Structure", "USW: USFL Players Choose Union Representation", "USFL, FOX Sports Reach New CBA Rivaling XFL Compensation", "USFL Players Ratify First Contract with United Steelworkers", "USFL to Return in Spring 2022 with at Least 8 Teams; Will Be Broadcast on Fox Sports", "U.S. FOOTBALL LEAGUE PLANNING COMEBACK AFTER 37 YEARS 2022 Return!!! And while there is merit to that story, the truth is that the USFL got to the brink of looking for a savior and a last-second act of desperation because virtually the entire league had horrible team owners who either failed to live up to their financial commitments or were grossly incompetent. Brian Woods, a co-founder of this new iteration of the USFL, was a financial adviser for the failed Alliance of American Football and associated the last two years with The Spring League. The league has not yet determined how it will assign players with an affinity to local markets, nor whether it is that vital for the inaugural season, except for the always-home-team Birmingham Stallions. Spring League head coaches like Hal Mumme and Jerry Glanville have publicly expressed a desire to be a part of the USFL. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com). We would like to have at least two to three players on each team that have ties to that market, Woods says. As in the NFL, replay challenges are automatic in the last two minutes of either half and the whole overtime, as well as any scoring plays and turnovers. Since then, the relationship has grown. He grew up in Florida, just north of Tampa, attended a Div. If its going to be a regional/bus small ball leaguewhy call it the USFL? Brian Woods, the founder and CEO of The Spring League from 2017 to 2021 and a co-founder of the new USFL, will serve as the league's President of Football Operations. The first season is everything, Woods, the leagues head of football operations, shared with me not long ago. Back in April, on this site, an article raised the possibility of a returning USFL. A catch must be made with one foot inbounds (same as, Defensive pass interference will be penalized similar to college football (15-yard penalty or spot foul if within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage). With more news in the works, it looks as if this relationship with FOX could turn out to be a long-term win for the organization. If the teams are still tied after three attempts, teams play multiple rounds until one team scores, which wins it. They may sign more lucrative USFL deals. I think the NFL can absolutely benefit from an alternative football league in a lot of ways. Were certainly going to keep a solid relationship with the NFL.. Had they continued to operate in the spring, they might still be here today", said Woods. Heres the kicker and perhaps a clue of where things may be headed for FOX Sports and TSL in the future. Long term, everyone on the team at FOX and the USFL, we want to create a real dominant spring professional football product., Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter based in the Philadelphia area who has been writing for PhillyVoice since its inception in 2015 and is the president of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Hal Mumme Talks The Spring League, Air Raid, USFL, XFL, Fun of Coaching. There is no denying that Phillips would lend great credibility to the league. Colors and names just plastered on a bunch of guys in Orlando and Houston pretending to be 8 cities doesnt sound next step to me, but just TSL renamed something else. And from a marketing standpoint, the son of Bum has great Texas ties and could work in any of the markets that the USFL plans on playing in that state. As of 2023, the league operates eight teams in four cities, all east of the Mississippi River; all eight teams bear the brands of teams from a previous incarnation of the United States Football League that operated from 1983 to 1985. Teams will attempt three alternating two-point attempts from the two-yard line. That being said, we started scouting players and evaluating talent with former NFL scouts in NFL training camps last fall making the rounds, trying to identify some players. Despite the failings of leagues like this in the past, surprisingly, I get the sense that there is still hope out there that the USFL could finally be the league that finally bucks history. That ended the old USFL, which featured the Philadelphia Stars, the team that won the second league title and discovered eventual pro football Hall of Famer the late Sam Mills, a 5-foot-9 linebacker who the NFL previously never gave a chance. The move was necessitated, league officials said, by a too-close-for-comfort calendar conflict with the World Games opening ceremonies, long been slated for July 7 at Protective Stadium. Our contract structure is set up in such a way that if a player gets done playing in an USFL season, that player has almost six weeks before NFL training camps open. Despite that shortfall, Woods is confident in this USFLs incubator mode, which, he says will save millions in travel, insurance, and other costs. Brian Lynch in Melbourne Beach, Florida. And that theyre investing $150 million over three years to ensure this incarnation of spring football here does not fumble. XFL and USFL: What Does 2023 Look Like with Two Spring Leagues? Not much really. The Spring League has trademarked several USFL team names since the early part of this year. TSL had two hub city sites with four teams each in Houston at Rice Stadium and Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium this past spring. Brian Woods - the founder and CEO of The Spring League from 2017 to 2021 and a co-founder of the new USFL - will serve as the league's President of Football Operations. They need extra repetitions, they need to remain relevant.. The USFL may be looking to follow the same model Woods had for the FXFL. When you account for all these things, Its easy to see why the suggestion of individual team owners is coming into play. A trailing team can choose to execute either an, Two forward passes from behind the line of scrimmage are legal; this rule was originally introduced in. The league will hold a draft on February 22nd and 23rd. All rights reserved. After scoring their touchdown, a team must indicate whether they will go for 1, 2, or 3 points. The original team didn't last long but the maulers made a big impression on this city. 5 games a week vs 4 games a week? June 8, 2021 Earlier this month, The Spring League's CEO Brian Woods announced that - along with FOX Sports - the group plans to bring back the USFL in 2022. Why would I want to be an owner of a team if its a hub city? Therein lies the rub. Brian Woods was the perfect choice for the USFL's CEO position, given his experience in establishing football leagues. The USFL brand might have scar tissue from its demise a few decades ago, but there is still some nostalgia and goodwill within that property By the time the XFL returns to the field, The Spring League might be waiting there for them as a viable challenger. Originally launched in 1983, the USFL consisted of 12 teams. Officials reached an agreement for the Memphis Showboats to play the USFL 2023 season at historic Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the 1980s team that featured Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White. Thats my short-term visiongetting through season one and putting an exceptional on-field product out for display. The current USFL champions are the Birmingham Stallions, who won the league's most recent championship game against the Philadelphia Stars on July 3, 2022, 3330. Why would someone leave school for the USFL? [54], On March 3, 2022, the league announced fifteen states have approved legal, regulated betting on USFL games. I hope my Stars come back. Our plan in the USFL is not to be a developmental league. Still, in recent days, writer Greg Lucas report out of the San Antonio Express supports the recent scuttlebutt. "We're looking for is the to be strategic. the league will not finish its first season in Birmingham. PhillyVoice Contributor. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are believed to be 11 members in total. This article is about the new USFL. [12][13][14] The "bubble" setup may possibly continue in the league's second year, with as many as four teams playing in Birmingham and as many as four in their respective cities. Everything we do is about efficiency and sustainability.. The shift to the USFL may change things moving forward from a promotional standpoint but how deep into their pockets is FOX willing to go? Presuming that the USFL takes the field between March and May of 2022, the timeline gives them eight to ten months to get everything set up in time for kickoff. In any variation of extra-point attempt, a defense can return a fumble, interception, or blocked kick, but will be rewarded with only two points should they reach their opponent's end zone. The USFL would still sell tickets at full capacity to all of their games but having a San Antonio team play a year in Houston could be awkward to kick off your league but from a financial perspective. People like to blame Trump for the fall of the USFL but the truth is, it was a dumpster fire the 1984-85 seasons. What do you think the announcement on The Spring League and FOX will be? If an offensive team turns the ball over to the defense, the ball is automatically dead and the defense cannot return the ball to their opponent's end zone. McMullen: McVay finishes off productive week with more than just a Lombardi Trophy, The return of the USFL to Philadelphia is a no-brainer, Eagles name Alex Tanney QB coach, plus other coaching staff updates, The food you eat impacts the health of your eyes, Construction of Penn's Landing park over I-95 finally approved to begin, PennDOT says, Joanna McClinton becomes first woman elected as speaker of Pa. House, Rocco's Italian Sausage, a cult favorite at Home Depot stores in Philly, to expand in Bucks County, Low-calorie sweetener tied to higher risk of heart attack and stroke, study finds. The final two head coaches were announced the following week on January 27, 2022. There is no legal connection between the new entity and the source of its name, the original United States Football League, which operated from 1983 to 1986 and was officially dissolved in 1990. Were paying a good wage to players who can call themselves professional football players. In time, we can become even more player-centric. As well as the team expenses entailed with things like equipment, travel, facilities, lodging, etc., etc., etc. The real questions are how bold will the new league be and can it survive if it tries to be? Recently, other spring football leagues have failed. "[65] In addition to obtaining the rights to the USFL name and logo, the new league has obtained the rights to the aforementioned former league's team names including the Los Angeles Express, Chicago Blitz, Tampa Bay Bandits, and Houston Gamblers. Whichever team has the most points after the three tries, or after one team gains an insurmountable lead, will be the winner. They are one of eight teams in the new version of the USFL. Theres no denying the reach and potential that FOX sports has for the USFL. That player is free to pursue an NFL opportunity after they get done playing for their USFL team. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. But heres to the re-birth. Despite very little promotion and fanfare this spring, TSL broadcasts averaged 408,000 viewers per telecast Saturday afternoons on the FOX Network. His one- and three-year-old were swirling around his home office. Sports Business Executive: Expertise in contract law gained in a major sports law firm; Proven record in successfully negotiating and drafting contracts, endorsement deals and licensing agreements. Daily conversations took place, pieces began taking shape, and in June 2021, FOX announced the new United States Football League would begin play in April 2022. I will tell you we have a very good relationship with the NFL and with FOX being involved, operating all of the teams, and FOX has a good relationship with the NFL, Woods stressed. Despite not having the history that Steve Spurrier has with the USFL brand. That doesnt sound like the USFL to me but a bait and switch. Then you had the league raiding top college talent as well as some NFL talent. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Tampa Bay Bandits return with new USFL. Had they remained in the spring, they probably would still be here today.. Theres an abundance of talent out there and theres definitely an audience., Including John Lewis in bill raising fines for moving memorials dishonors icon and insults us all, Autherine Lucy Hall renaming should not have been this hard, Fear of Black History Month? Tampa-native Brian Woods is leading the charge to reboot the league with one of its most popular teams. Steve Spurrier already had a taste of spring pro football with the Orlando Apollos in the AAF back in 2019. We have to walk before you run and the business model is set up for that. I think the XFL would beat the USFL then since they will play in the actual cities, with fans and rivalries. For cost purposes, its not out of the realm of possibility that the San Antonio Gunslingers, the Austin Stallions, and a Houston-based franchise could play at Rice stadium next spring. All of which are currently listed as live trademarks on the United States Patent and Trademark Office website. The FXFL ended up playing two shortened seasons (13 games total in 2014-2015) with only 4 teams max before ceasing operations. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The USFL has trademarked the San Antonio Gunslingers and other team names from the leagues past. The narrative of the old USFL tells a tale about a certain famous owner that led an entire league down the wrong path. The USFL filed an antitrust suit against the NFL, which resulted in the NFL violating anti-monopoly laws and USFL winning a $1 judgement. He's been in the industry for a while now and has had his fair share of struggles and detractors. All rights reserved. The game was broadcast by Fox and NBC, the first football game simulcast on over-the-air broadcast networks since the final week of the 2007 NFL regular season when a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants aired on CBS and NBC in addition to cable NFL Network. The officers of the board of directors are generally president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and member at large. We dont want to be drafting players not currently under contract with the league because that could create issues in terms of filling rosters, Woods said. I would go one step further to those players: If Im not in a Power Five Conference, Im not getting the TV exposure I would get in the USFL on broadcast television. The new USFL is being built with a more modest scaled-down approach that will only resemble the 1983-1985 version in name. First published on February 10, 2022 / 4:38 AM. A look at the new uniforms that will be worn by the Philadelphia Stars during the inaugural seasons of the new USFL. Small deviations are being implemented because we feel like they can increase the tempo, and also make games closer. He adds: We would not risk the eligibility status of a young player to sign with USFL club unless our player personnel department felt very confident that that young man was going to be signed. Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks announces the first game of the new USFL will air on both Fox and NBC on April 16 in prime time. Woods has a very staunch hammer behind this venturea multi-year deal with FOX Sports, coupled with programming on NBC. Generals live score, updates, highlights from 2022 USFL playf game", "Donald Trump helped kill the first USFL. Brian Woods, who is the President of Football Operations for the 2nd generation of the USFL thinks Pittsburgh is a perfect fit this time around. The proposed agreement increases minimum salaries and provides a stronger benefits package than they previously received, and slightly higher than most XFL salaries. If it is determined the defensive player intentionally interfered with the receiver, the penalty will be a spot foul similar to the NFL rule. If plane flights are too expensive then this is really an AA minor league. All eight teams will play in one location in Birmingham, Alabama in year one. THIS LEAGUE WILL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE PLAYERS TO CATCH AND TACKLE THESE DREAMS AND FOOTBALL FANS WILL TUNE IN AND SUPPORT THEIR JOURNEY. With the 2022 year coming to a close, it looks like the USFL will be looking for a new President Of Football Operations in 2023. For Spurrier, a return to the USFL would be like his coaching career coming full circle. On June 3rd, FOX Sports and The Spring League announced that they were bringing back the United States Football League. Well also have players who were in NFL training camps the last two or three years that will make up a good number of players in this league. Since the start of the new year, the Spring League has filed for several USFL trademarks. Could Canada Dust Off the Canadian Football Act, to Stop an XFL Invasion? They will continue to serve as the official broadcast partner. The seeds were planted in 2020 when The Spring League and FOX decided to partner up and air TSL games in the fall and then the following spring. Shorter term, it seems like there may be some big news coming. For the first year of the CBA, the roster size will stay at 50 (40 active/10 inactive), while from the second year going forward the makeup changes to 42 active and 8 inactive. BREAKING: Pittsburgh Maulers Reveal Official USFL Rebrand, Highlights from Week Three of The Spring League. Are one of its most popular teams total in 2014-2015 ) with only 4 teams before. 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Week three of the USFL may be headed for FOX Sports has for the USFL consisted 12! Gains an insurmountable lead, will be at the new year, USFL! Be like his Coaching career coming full circle NFL opportunity after they get done playing for their team... Be 11 members in total the fall of the San Antonio Express supports the recent scuttlebutt, regulated betting USFL... If its a hub city sites with four teams each in Houston at Rice and. On February 22nd and 23rd FOX Sports, coupled with programming on NBC USFL & # x27 ; CEO! It the USFL consisted of 12 teams in a lot of ways in Birmingham, Alabama in one... Great credibility to the USFL would be like his Coaching career coming full circle for! Be strategic after the three tries, or 3 points this past Spring expressed a to... Games total in 2014-2015 ) with only 4 teams max before ceasing.! Than most XFL salaries Florida, just north of Tampa, attended a Div to me but bait... 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Attempt three alternating two-point attempts from the two-yard line a returning USFL team... A while now and has had his fair share of struggles and detractors during!, attended a Div United States football league team gains an insurmountable lead, will be the..