The USFL has received a warm welcome back to Memphis with a unanimous thumbs up from the Memphis City Council. The Council passed a resolution in support of a two-year licensing agreement between the USFL and Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, signaling the return of the fan-favorite Memphis Showboats.
“We’re very excited about this,” enthused Memphis Parks Director Nick Walker. “Activating the building year-round is a huge win. It allows us to utilize the space outside of the traditional football season, brings in tens of thousands of people, generating revenue which helps offset the operating costs, and above all, it’s a lot of fun.”
The return of the Memphis Showboats, who ended the season with a respectable 5-5 record, is viewed with anticipation among city council members and fans alike.
During the inaugural season, approximately 70,000 tickets were sold for Showboats games, according to Daryl Johnston, the USFL President of Football Operations. Johnston emphasized that he doesn’t pin the league’s success to specific numbers. Instead, he said, he gauges the league’s impact at the community level from a broader perspective.
The league president shared the example of Ryan McDaniel, the Showboats’ wide receiver and a finalist for the league’s Sportsman of the Year award, which recognizes a player for their community service. McDaniel’s contributions off the field underline the positive impact the USFL aims to have within local communities.
The eight-team USFL will return for season three in 2024. Season ticket packages are on sale now.
