The XFL and the USFL, two competing spring football leagues, have announced plans to merge their operations. While details about the new league, including its start date and name, remain scarce, this merger is seen as a strategic move to increase their chances of survival in a challenging sports landscape.
The USFL launched in 2022, becoming the first spring football league in nearly four decades to complete a second season. It initially played games exclusively in Birmingham, Alabama, before gradually expanding to other cities like Memphis, Detroit, and Canton, Ohio.
The XFL, on the other hand, began operations in February 2023 with eight teams spread across various locations, including Seattle, Orlando, Washington D.C., St. Louis, and multiple cities in Texas.
Historically, spring football leagues have faced numerous challenges. Both the USFL and XFL had previous iterations under different ownership, with the XFL experiencing a brief run in the early 2000s. The Alliance of American Football, launched in 2019, folded before completing its first season. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted a second version of the XFL.
However, the latest versions of the XFL and USFL have fared better, benefiting from broadcast agreements and the growth of legalized sports gambling. Both leagues successfully completed their seasons, including championship games, which previous spring leagues struggled to achieve. The USFL has broadcasting agreements with Fox and NBC, while the XFL counts Dwayne Johnson among its principal owners.
The merger is expected to combine the strengths of both leagues. While it’s unlikely the new league will start with all 16 teams from the XFL and USFL, it represents an effort to leverage their assets for mutual benefit.
Regarding the potential name for the new league, the USFL has filed trademark applications for “NSFL” (National Spring Football League) and other related terms, suggesting possible options for the league’s identity.
