Will the UFL Collapse and Fold This Offseason or Next?

[SalaDaeng]

Let's face it, the history of these spring amatuer leagues is not good. None of them have survived. I don't think people realize how much money goes into running a business like this. Personally, I think it goes one more year then they pull the plug. The Battlehawks have been close but they should go all-in to win it next year starting with a new coach. It might be their last chance.

History of failed football leagues
https://www.audacy.com/wtic/blogs/rob-j ... ll-leagues

[RamBill]

These types of moves often come out with little or no notice. The trend is that when the novelty wears off the profits drop and they can't sustain the losses. I agree that it won't go past next year.

[thegibby.]

They need a Rocket Ismail.

[Cool Papa Con]

Let's face it, the history of these spring amatuer leagues is not good. None of them have survived. I don't think people realize how much money goes into running a business like this. Personally, I think it goes one more year then they pull the plug. The Battlehawks have been close but they should go all-in to win it next year starting with a new coach. It might be their last chance.

History of failed football leagues
https://www.audacy.com/wtic/blogs/rob-j ... ll-leagues

Sure, but stability (returning with all teams intact) and viewership improvements are good bedrocks to build on.

For 2025, UFL will return with eight teams in their current markets

TV ratings are up

Heading into Sunday’s title game, the 39 UFL telecasts averaged 832,000 viewers across FOX, FSI, ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, which was up 34% from last year’s average for all USFL and XFL games through the playoffs (619,000). The USFL averaged 715,000 viewers when it returned in 2022.

Johnston said with more time to plan the upcoming season, the league should do a better job of finding the best windows to show games based on what’s happening in both the home markets and in other sports nationally.

"This was a better platform for distribution, but I still think next year we’ll be better with our windows," Johnston said. "Because of the late timing of the merger coming together, they probably weren’t ideal windows. … There were better options for us. We seem to run into a lot of things that were already going on in some of our markets. Whether that’s St. Louis with the Blues or the Cardinals playing or in Memphis, where we have some events that are around the stadium. …

"There were a number of occasions where there were things going on in our markets and that was the best window we could have, and we were going head-to-head with not necessarily another sport, but an actual established event in that community that people were much more familiar with than a spring football game."

[abuxb]

If the UFL folds, we will always have these two facts. One is that St. Louis does support football. The other is that the Battlehawks did play an exciting brand of football. The games were always great fun to watch.

[SalaDaeng]

Let's face it, the history of these spring amatuer leagues is not good. None of them have survived. I don't think people realize how much money goes into running a business like this. Personally, I think it goes one more year then they pull the plug. The Battlehawks have been close but they should go all-in to win it next year starting with a new coach. It might be their last chance.

History of failed football leagues
https://www.audacy.com/wtic/blogs/rob-j ... ll-leagues

Sure, but stability (returning with all teams intact) and viewership improvements are good bedrocks to build on.

For 2025, UFL will return with eight teams in their current markets

TV ratings are up

Heading into Sunday’s title game, the 39 UFL telecasts averaged 832,000 viewers across FOX, FSI, ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, which was up 34% from last year’s average for all USFL and XFL games through the playoffs (619,000). The USFL averaged 715,000 viewers when it returned in 2022.

Johnston said with more time to plan the upcoming season, the league should do a better job of finding the best windows to show games based on what’s happening in both the home markets and in other sports nationally.

"This was a better platform for distribution, but I still think next year we’ll be better with our windows," Johnston said. "Because of the late timing of the merger coming together, they probably weren’t ideal windows. … There were better options for us. We seem to run into a lot of things that were already going on in some of our markets. Whether that’s St. Louis with the Blues or the Cardinals playing or in Memphis, where we have some events that are around the stadium. …

"There were a number of occasions where there were things going on in our markets and that was the best window we could have, and we were going head-to-head with not necessarily another sport, but an actual established event in that community that people were much more familiar with than a spring football game."

Continuity can't hurt but I'm worried about the novelty wearing off. That has happened every time.

[Cool Papa Con]

Let's face it, the history of these spring amatuer leagues is not good. None of them have survived. I don't think people realize how much money goes into running a business like this. Personally, I think it goes one more year then they pull the plug. The Battlehawks have been close but they should go all-in to win it next year starting with a new coach. It might be their last chance.

History of failed football leagues
https://www.audacy.com/wtic/blogs/rob-j ... ll-leagues

Sure, but stability (returning with all teams intact) and viewership improvements are good bedrocks to build on.

For 2025, UFL will return with eight teams in their current markets

TV ratings are up

Heading into Sunday’s title game, the 39 UFL telecasts averaged 832,000 viewers across FOX, FSI, ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, which was up 34% from last year’s average for all USFL and XFL games through the playoffs (619,000). The USFL averaged 715,000 viewers when it returned in 2022.

Johnston said with more time to plan the upcoming season, the league should do a better job of finding the best windows to show games based on what’s happening in both the home markets and in other sports nationally.

"This was a better platform for distribution, but I still think next year we’ll be better with our windows," Johnston said. "Because of the late timing of the merger coming together, they probably weren’t ideal windows. … There were better options for us. We seem to run into a lot of things that were already going on in some of our markets. Whether that’s St. Louis with the Blues or the Cardinals playing or in Memphis, where we have some events that are around the stadium. …

"There were a number of occasions where there were things going on in our markets and that was the best window we could have, and we were going head-to-head with not necessarily another sport, but an actual established event in that community that people were much more familiar with than a spring football game."

Continuity can't hurt but I'm worried about the novelty wearing off. That has happened every time.

I agree. Hell, the best team in the league the last three years can’t even intrigue their fans to show up.

It’s a real shame, because the opportunity to grow the league is lost on Birmingham

[49RH8R]

They need a Rocket Ismail.

Or He Hate Me. That was the best football name ever.

[SalaDaeng]

Let's face it, the history of these spring amatuer leagues is not good. None of them have survived. I don't think people realize how much money goes into running a business like this. Personally, I think it goes one more year then they pull the plug. The Battlehawks have been close but they should go all-in to win it next year starting with a new coach. It might be their last chance.

History of failed football leagues
https://www.audacy.com/wtic/blogs/rob-j ... ll-leagues

Sure, but stability (returning with all teams intact) and viewership improvements are good bedrocks to build on.

For 2025, UFL will return with eight teams in their current markets

TV ratings are up

Heading into Sunday’s title game, the 39 UFL telecasts averaged 832,000 viewers across FOX, FSI, ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, which was up 34% from last year’s average for all USFL and XFL games through the playoffs (619,000). The USFL averaged 715,000 viewers when it returned in 2022.

Johnston said with more time to plan the upcoming season, the league should do a better job of finding the best windows to show games based on what’s happening in both the home markets and in other sports nationally.

"This was a better platform for distribution, but I still think next year we’ll be better with our windows," Johnston said. "Because of the late timing of the merger coming together, they probably weren’t ideal windows. … There were better options for us. We seem to run into a lot of things that were already going on in some of our markets. Whether that’s St. Louis with the Blues or the Cardinals playing or in Memphis, where we have some events that are around the stadium. …

"There were a number of occasions where there were things going on in our markets and that was the best window we could have, and we were going head-to-head with not necessarily another sport, but an actual established event in that community that people were much more familiar with than a spring football game."

Continuity can't hurt but I'm worried about the novelty wearing off. That has happened every time.

I agree. Hell, the best team in the league the last three years can’t even intrigue their fans to show up.

It’s a real shame, because the opportunity to grow the league is lost on Birmingham

I'm not sure where it was posted but somebody already made this point. Alabama is all about college football. They have Auburn and Alabama so they probably don't want to get invested in a minor league team that will be gone in a few years.

[RamBill]

If the UFL folds, we will always have these two facts. One is that St. Louis does support football. The other is that the Battlehawks did play an exciting brand of football. The games were always great fun to watch.

Unfortunately they came up just short again last year. If they stall out in the playoffs again (assuming they make it) that will also be part of their legacy. Next season is probably their last chance because I don't see the UFL going for a 4th season.

[Cool Papa Con]

If the UFL folds, we will always have these two facts. One is that St. Louis does support football. The other is that the Battlehawks did play an exciting brand of football. The games were always great fun to watch.

Unfortunately they came up just short again last year. If they stall out in the playoffs again (assuming they make it) that will also be part of their legacy. Next season is probably their last chance because I don't see the UFL going for a 4th season.

I guess you’ll need to move to Blue Talk to get the attention you so desperately crave…

[BrummerStealsHome]

They need a Rocket Ismail.

Yeah, and the Cardinals are going to sign Albert Pujols.

[TBone]

If the UFL folds, we will always have these two facts. One is that St. Louis does support football. The other is that the Battlehawks did play an exciting brand of football. The games were always great fun to watch.

Unfortunately they came up just short again last year. If they stall out in the playoffs again (assuming they make it) that will also be part of their legacy. Next season is probably their last chance because I don't see the UFL going for a 4th season.

Facts and Reality right here...

https://x.com/UnSportsESPN/status/1826938482335350915

[rezero]

I think there is a place for the UFL. Think of these three points:

1) Major league baseball has managed to carry 200+ minor league teams and an additional 30 from leagues like the frontier league. People like sports and will show up is properly branded. The minor league teams find a niche in smaller or open markets and do not try to be the MLB but their own second tier brand. What is crazy is some of them like the Savana Bananas even out drew their major league counterpart. So additional sports teams in America’s favorite sport can exist. They just need to find places like San Antonio, Birmingham, St. Louis, etc… that does not have a NFL or major college team.

2) Unlike other attempts like the original USFL and XFL, the current UFL is not trying to compete with the NFL but become a feeder pool similar to the NBA D-League. Heck, the original USFL went after top college players (like Young and Walker) and thought it could squash the NFL. If the NFL doesn’t see you as a threat, that helps your chances of surviving exponentially.

3) Lastly and more important, the players and owners need to accept items #1 and #2 above. This means much lower salaries and lower revenue/profits. Player salaries killed the original USFL and XFL. I was very good friends with one of the owners of the Evansville Otters. He told me multiple times that he makes about 3% return on his investment, and it is more about owning something and enjoying the game verse becoming wealthy.

Asssuming we can get past item #3 above, it has a good chance of sticking around.

[49RH8R]

I think there is a place for the UFL. Think of these three points:

1) Major league baseball has managed to carry 200+ minor league teams and an additional 30 from leagues like the frontier league. People like sports and will show up is properly branded. The minor league teams find a niche in smaller or open markets and do not try to be the MLB but their own second tier brand. What is crazy is some of them like the Savana Bananas even out drew their major league counterpart. So additional sports teams in America’s favorite sport can exist. They just need to find places like San Antonio, Birmingham, St. Louis, etc… that does not have a NFL or major college team.

2) Unlike other attempts like the original USFL and XFL, the current UFL is not trying to compete with the NFL but become a feeder pool similar to the NBA D-League. Heck, the original USFL went after top college players (like Young and Walker) and thought it could squash the NFL. If the NFL doesn’t see you as a threat, that helps your chances of surviving exponentially.

3) Lastly and more important, the players and owners need to accept items #1 and #2 above. This means much lower salaries and lower revenue/profits. Player salaries killed the original USFL and XFL. I was very good friends with one of the owners of the Evansville Otters. He told me multiple times that he makes about 3% return on his investment, and it is more about owning something and enjoying the game verse becoming wealthy.

Asssuming we can get past item #3 above, it has a good chance of sticking around.

It's all about money. Without a massive subsidy from the NFL the odds are stacked against the nascent league.

[TBone]

It's all about money. Without a massive subsidy from the NFL the odds are stacked against the nascent league.

I love how they just jammed down their throats at the end.

Spoiler