The United States Football League (USFL) has confirmed its return for another season, creating an exciting buzz in the world of football. This confirmation came directly from the league’s vice president of operations, Daryl Johnston, during an interview with WVTM13’s sports director Ryan Hennessy. This news brings joy to fans, players, and coaches alike, signaling the growth and sustainability of the new league.
The USFL: A Solid Foundation and a Bright Future
The USFL has its roots in Birmingham, which was the venue for all the games in the inaugural season. The Birmingham Stallions emerged as the champions of the first season, creating a strong local following. As the Stallions prepare for the USFL Championship on Saturday, July 1, there’s a buzz of anticipation for what could be their back-to-back championship win. They will be taking on the Pittsburgh Maulers at 8 pm on NBC.
In the interview with WVTM13, Johnston confirmed the return of the league, enthusiastically stating, “Yeah, we are coming back. We are already taking season ticket orders.” This return is indicative of the positive response from the fans and the faith they have in the USFL’s future.
Sustainability: The Key to USFL’s Future
The return of the USFL not only showcases the league’s growing popularity but also speaks volumes about its sustainability. This has been a critical focus for the league’s management, especially considering the past experiences of other leagues. In the same interview, Johnston addressed this concern. He emphasized, “We’re already taking season ticket orders in Birmingham, in Memphis, getting that consistency, showing everybody that this is sustainable.”
Ensuring Player Comfort and Security
Focusing on ensuring the league’s longevity, Johnston talked about how the players organized as a labor union after the first season. This step is instrumental in providing players with a sense of security and comfort. Johnston added, “Even that to protect them from what happened in the previous leagues, you know, that that gives a sense of comfort as well. So there’s a lot of things here to let the players feel comfortable joining the USFL family, that it is sustainable and we will be around for a long time.”
A New Chapter in American Football
The USFL’s will return for its 3rd season in 2024. The first iteration of the USFL also played three season from 1983 through 1985. It brings promise for the players, who have found a platform to showcase their talents, and excitement for the fans, who eagerly await another thrilling season.
This announcement strengthens the belief in the sustainability of the USFL and hints at a bright future for the league.
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The USFL seems to believe that this hub system will work. Football fans don’t want to be hours away from their home team. The Stars and Maulers play all their home games away.
Just how long does the USFL think the fans in Philly and Pittsburgh will wait.
I agree. I think hub fans have this thought. I am a Generals fan and would have seasons tickets in NJ. Even questioned whether it was worth it for the 7 hour drive each way. I chose to watch at home. I can only imagine they will do their best to get as many teams in their cities this year and they will have to determine if it’s better to relocate a team or keep it in a hub if they cannot. The Breakers should be in the Super Dome. It would be best for all parties. No professional baseball team to compete with. I feel they will do well in New Orleans. The Generals iout of Rutgers (Highpoint) Stadium would be a top draw in the league and they still can’t get in a stadium. Definitely still some work to do. There is still some work to do and I can only hope all the teams survive as the namesakes for the cities really work, but if headwinds prove too strong they might not work. Still like San Diego. If we don’t get it XFL should. We would provide the better product and San Diego would deserve that. Whatever happens, happens, but if we do Canton and cannot get the Bulldogs name. I think it only makes sense to go with Canton Bulls, unless they are bringing back the Jacksonville team.
I agree but if you remember the ’80s usfl was outstanding football until expanding too fast commissioner Johnson obviously knows what he’s doing to keep this Football League live unlike the former commissioner Donald Trump who destroyed this league
I think that Moose is doing a great job in building the league. I think he will even tell you, that we need to get into our cities. You may be a little more patient with him, because you have a team that has a home stadium. It would not surprise me to find the Panthers and the Stallions have more NFL players that have actually played in NFL games than the rest of the league combined. Jace Sternberger, Bo Scarbrough, Deon Cain, Trey Quinn, DJ Montgomery, Breeland Speaks, Kai Nacua. I would include EJ Perry that actually more NFL players than USFL players. This is for no other reason than thise teams have hubs. Some players such as Corey Coleman and Ryan Izzo signed with the Stars as they made it to the Championship game, but you really do have to recognize the difference. As far as expansion..,,right now you are fighting for TV ratings. It makes great sense to me that if your network games are averaging around 750K-800k for each game outside of the 2MM broadcast and all you teams are in 1/4 of the country that if you put a team in California, say San Diego and maybe another in Denver or Canton, your tv ratings would often be over the 1mm per event that that California team is in. Now that is something you can sell ads with. The USFL can invest 25% of what they paid for the reat of the league and pick up 40-50% more fans. I like the building wisely, picking places that want you to be there and not overpaying to be anywhere. This needs to be a give and take, but right now only 3 teams have home games. I promise you this. New Jersey will support the Generals much more than Birmingham has supported the Stallions and the Stallions are a great franchise. Darryl Johnston and Fox need to get the feel for where this league needs to be. If they gave me a call, I would love to help with any suggestions as I don’t think you will find anyone that wants this to succeed more than me….outside the players and coaches of course.
Need to focus on the large TV markets for TV viewership. That’s NJ, Philly and Houston. Birm is 1/10 the size of the Ny/NNJ TV market and 1/20th the Metro area size. Philly is close by and also pretty large and could bridge the NJ gap.
Either way they need to play at least 6 games in NJ/Philly in 2024. Its not about fans in the stands its about engaging local markets to increase interest.
……. and with that said, New Jersey will pay attention to something they can see and touch. It’s like having a girlfriend you can’t have a physical relationship. It’s much easier to put something else in front of the relationship if you have reason to believe she isn’t committed to you.
stay out of NFL cities this is a developmental league. work towards community owned teams Breakers to Portland they should have first rite. Houston to Oakland invaders with new color scheme screams to much Chargers. New Jersy to San Diego , can you get a deal AAF Fleet. Stars to Albuquerque perfect match new mexico state flag and the color scheme. Canton ,Columbus, Ohio Valley Maulers bring back orange and purple, Grey can be a silver,distressed like Rutgers silver helmets,hammered on. Memphis showboats?Express AAF ?stealth bomber, fighter, maybe a Enforcer, green, red scheme based on Express uniforms. Michigan Birmingham fine.
At 45 years old, the usfl got me hooked on football in 2022. I dvr’d and watched evert game available to me. I then started watching nfl also. The got the nfl+ subscription and have been watching all games since 2010 available there.
Would be awesome if I could watch and stream every usfl game as well. The usfl just has a different feel to it. You never get the feeling any of the players or coaches are there for just the paycheck, which is very meager compared to the nfl. These guys just love the game, being able to play it and it shows.
Nice Brian, I love it. I am looking forward to season 3 as well, Brian.
This is the first article I have seen double-digit comments. Great to see the. USFL community coming together. Thanks for giving us the platform and providing us some much needed info. Mahalo.
The league should expand to 12 teams. LA Express, Oakland Invaders, Denver Gold, Austin (Arizona) Wranglers. Rebrand New Orleans Breakers to Portland Breakers. Bring back Tampa Bay Bandits. You now have 3 divisions, w west coast markets for TV ratings of an added 20 million in LA, 5 million in Oakland, Denver 3 million, and Austin/San Antonio at 5 million. This will increase tv ratings dramatically. West coast teams (4) will reduce travel cost by playing each other twice (8 games). Also, always have the Hub team (i.e. Stallions) play a non HUB team on the road. Hub teams (i.e. Gamblers) should never play at home when they can play a hub team that has a home. This will increase attendance. 2024 USFL at 12 teams and 6-8 hubs w all teams in their markets by 2025. Stay at 12 teams until 2030 unless a Francise is purchased. An LA team will likely sell fast to a rich californian celebrity. The USFL can succeed, if it go’s west. Portland, Austin, and Oakland have no football teams. Denver was a big draw in the 1980’s and made a profit its first year. LA Express color scheme is similier to the NFL Cowboys, and will be a hit.
Ken Granito
June 28, 2023 at 1:51 pm
YEAH,ERE!!!! Up and onward
J.Palochak
June 29, 2023 at 5:20 pm
The USFL seems to believe that this hub system will work. Football fans don’t want to be hours away from their home team. The Stars and Maulers play all their home games away.
Just how long does the USFL think the fans in Philly and Pittsburgh will wait.
Mark
June 29, 2023 at 11:28 pm
Hope they work out stadiums in home markets. Need to expand by 4 teams too. Jacksonville, Tampa, San Antonio, Chicago.
Robin
August 28, 2023 at 7:14 am
Agree!
Ken Granito
June 30, 2023 at 7:38 am
I agree. I think hub fans have this thought. I am a Generals fan and would have seasons tickets in NJ. Even questioned whether it was worth it for the 7 hour drive each way. I chose to watch at home. I can only imagine they will do their best to get as many teams in their cities this year and they will have to determine if it’s better to relocate a team or keep it in a hub if they cannot. The Breakers should be in the Super Dome. It would be best for all parties. No professional baseball team to compete with. I feel they will do well in New Orleans. The Generals iout of Rutgers (Highpoint) Stadium would be a top draw in the league and they still can’t get in a stadium. Definitely still some work to do. There is still some work to do and I can only hope all the teams survive as the namesakes for the cities really work, but if headwinds prove too strong they might not work. Still like San Diego. If we don’t get it XFL should. We would provide the better product and San Diego would deserve that. Whatever happens, happens, but if we do Canton and cannot get the Bulldogs name. I think it only makes sense to go with Canton Bulls, unless they are bringing back the Jacksonville team.
Stallion 12
June 30, 2023 at 12:37 pm
I agree but if you remember the ’80s usfl was outstanding football until expanding too fast commissioner Johnson obviously knows what he’s doing to keep this Football League live unlike the former commissioner Donald Trump who destroyed this league
Ken Granito
June 30, 2023 at 11:35 pm
I think that Moose is doing a great job in building the league. I think he will even tell you, that we need to get into our cities. You may be a little more patient with him, because you have a team that has a home stadium. It would not surprise me to find the Panthers and the Stallions have more NFL players that have actually played in NFL games than the rest of the league combined. Jace Sternberger, Bo Scarbrough, Deon Cain, Trey Quinn, DJ Montgomery, Breeland Speaks, Kai Nacua. I would include EJ Perry that actually more NFL players than USFL players. This is for no other reason than thise teams have hubs. Some players such as Corey Coleman and Ryan Izzo signed with the Stars as they made it to the Championship game, but you really do have to recognize the difference. As far as expansion..,,right now you are fighting for TV ratings. It makes great sense to me that if your network games are averaging around 750K-800k for each game outside of the 2MM broadcast and all you teams are in 1/4 of the country that if you put a team in California, say San Diego and maybe another in Denver or Canton, your tv ratings would often be over the 1mm per event that that California team is in. Now that is something you can sell ads with. The USFL can invest 25% of what they paid for the reat of the league and pick up 40-50% more fans. I like the building wisely, picking places that want you to be there and not overpaying to be anywhere. This needs to be a give and take, but right now only 3 teams have home games. I promise you this. New Jersey will support the Generals much more than Birmingham has supported the Stallions and the Stallions are a great franchise. Darryl Johnston and Fox need to get the feel for where this league needs to be. If they gave me a call, I would love to help with any suggestions as I don’t think you will find anyone that wants this to succeed more than me….outside the players and coaches of course.
4th&long
July 2, 2023 at 11:53 am
Need to focus on the large TV markets for TV viewership. That’s NJ, Philly and Houston. Birm is 1/10 the size of the Ny/NNJ TV market and 1/20th the Metro area size. Philly is close by and also pretty large and could bridge the NJ gap.
Either way they need to play at least 6 games in NJ/Philly in 2024. Its not about fans in the stands its about engaging local markets to increase interest.
Ken Granito
July 2, 2023 at 5:51 pm
……. and with that said, New Jersey will pay attention to something they can see and touch. It’s like having a girlfriend you can’t have a physical relationship. It’s much easier to put something else in front of the relationship if you have reason to believe she isn’t committed to you.
shimmy
July 6, 2023 at 10:00 pm
stay out of NFL cities this is a developmental league. work towards community owned teams Breakers to Portland they should have first rite. Houston to Oakland invaders with new color scheme screams to much Chargers. New Jersy to San Diego , can you get a deal AAF Fleet. Stars to Albuquerque perfect match new mexico state flag and the color scheme. Canton ,Columbus, Ohio Valley Maulers bring back orange and purple, Grey can be a silver,distressed like Rutgers silver helmets,hammered on. Memphis showboats?Express AAF ?stealth bomber, fighter, maybe a Enforcer, green, red scheme based on Express uniforms. Michigan Birmingham fine.
Bryan L
July 10, 2023 at 1:41 am
At 45 years old, the usfl got me hooked on football in 2022. I dvr’d and watched evert game available to me. I then started watching nfl also. The got the nfl+ subscription and have been watching all games since 2010 available there.
Would be awesome if I could watch and stream every usfl game as well. The usfl just has a different feel to it. You never get the feeling any of the players or coaches are there for just the paycheck, which is very meager compared to the nfl. These guys just love the game, being able to play it and it shows.
Ken Granio
July 10, 2023 at 4:03 pm
Nice Brian, I love it. I am looking forward to season 3 as well, Brian.
This is the first article I have seen double-digit comments. Great to see the. USFL community coming together. Thanks for giving us the platform and providing us some much needed info. Mahalo.
Jerry Sanchez
July 25, 2023 at 10:45 pm
The league should expand to 12 teams. LA Express, Oakland Invaders, Denver Gold, Austin (Arizona) Wranglers. Rebrand New Orleans Breakers to Portland Breakers. Bring back Tampa Bay Bandits. You now have 3 divisions, w west coast markets for TV ratings of an added 20 million in LA, 5 million in Oakland, Denver 3 million, and Austin/San Antonio at 5 million. This will increase tv ratings dramatically. West coast teams (4) will reduce travel cost by playing each other twice (8 games). Also, always have the Hub team (i.e. Stallions) play a non HUB team on the road. Hub teams (i.e. Gamblers) should never play at home when they can play a hub team that has a home. This will increase attendance. 2024 USFL at 12 teams and 6-8 hubs w all teams in their markets by 2025. Stay at 12 teams until 2030 unless a Francise is purchased. An LA team will likely sell fast to a rich californian celebrity. The USFL can succeed, if it go’s west. Portland, Austin, and Oakland have no football teams. Denver was a big draw in the 1980’s and made a profit its first year. LA Express color scheme is similier to the NFL Cowboys, and will be a hit.