NFL is on Break, UFL is Up
With the Super Bowl airing last month, what are football fans supposed to do until the NFL preseason? The United Football League (UFL) is the answer to your need for any football over the next couple of months. The new spring league officially launched in March 2024 following the merger between the XFL and USFL. The UFL comprises of eight teams (shown below) located in the Midwest and the Southern U.S. Dany Garcia, the Rock’s business partner and ex-wife, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are both part-owners and help manage the football league together. Their powerful names and success have been incredibly beneficial in getting the UFL’s name out there.
For those who primarily know the Rock as an actor, he was actually a standout football player before his Hollywood career. He played at the University of Miami throughout college and had dreams of playing in the NFL. Ultimately, he went undrafted in the 1995 NFL draft. However, he did go on to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for a few months before being released due to injuries. Looking back, he now considers not playing in the NFL the best thing that could have happened to him. He brands the UFL as a league for players who, like him, came close to making it but didn’t quite get a chance. The UFL offers these athletes another opportunity to play in a league outside of the NFL.
Although it is not the NFL, the UFL is still a professional football league that airs on ESPN, FOX, and ABC. Most current UFL players have tried for the NFL first but narrowly missed the cut. However, many UFL players are now in the NFL, demonstrating the league’s effectiveness as a stepping stone for aspiring pros. A couple of players that come to mind include Jalen Dalton and Jalen Redmond. Dalton played on the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas and is now signed with the Dallas Cowboys and Redmond played on UFL’s Arlington Renegades and is now signed with the Minnesota Vikings. Every spring football league that has tried in the past has failed, but this one has a chance. The Rock, Dany Garcia, and countless other staff members fully believe in this league and have put an incredible amount of time and effort into making this league happen. Despite being relatively new, the UFL has already cultivated a passionate fan base. Team merchandise is available online, and fans can purchase tickets to watch games live at stadiums. The UFL also has a strategic partnership with the NFL. The NFL uses the UFL to train referees and officials, as well as to test experimental rules that could potentially be carried out in the NFL. It is a collaboration that benefits both leagues in unique ways.
The new season will kick off on March 28, 2025. Understandably, some people may be hesitant to invest in a new league that isn’t the NFL, given its long-standing success and familiarity. That name carries so much power, but I urge football fans to give the UFL a chance and tune in this season!
