The United States Football League (USFL) has gone through various ownership structures since it began. The most recent version of the USFL was primarily owned by Fox Sports. Fox Sports operated the spring football league as an alternative to the NFL season. This ownership changed significantly when a major merger was announced in late 2023.
The USFL and XFL, another spring football league, joined forces to create the United Football League (UFL). This new merged entity brought together Fox’s USFL with the XFL, which was owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital’s Gerry Cardinale. The partnership created a stronger spring football presence with combined resources and fan bases.
The UFL now lists five major partners: the three former XFL owners along with Fox Sports and other investors. This consolidation represents a significant shift in the spring football landscape, potentially offering more stability than either league achieved independently.
Key Takeaways
- Fox Sports was the primary owner of the modern USFL before its merger with the XFL.
- The USFL merged with the XFL to form the United Football League, combining ownership resources from both organizations.
- Spring football now operates under unified leadership with partners including Fox Sports, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital.
Ownership and Leadership
The USFL has experienced significant ownership changes since its inception. The transitions have shaped the league’s direction and business strategy.
Current Owners and Executives
As of March 2025, Fox Sports is the primary owner of the USFL. The network took full control after initially forming National Spring Football League Enterprises Co., LLC as a joint venture with Brian Woods. Fox Sports invested approximately $150 million over three years to launch and sustain the league.
However, big changes are happening! Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia, who co-own the XFL, recently announced a merger between the XFL and USFL to form the United Football League (UFL). This merger brings together two spring football leagues under one umbrella.
Russ Brandon serves as a key executive in the football operations department, bringing valuable experience from his time in professional sports management.
Historical Ownership
The USFL’s ownership history dates back to its original concept in 1965 by New Orleans businessman David Dixon. The original league (1983-1986) featured several notable owners including Donald Trump, who owned the New Jersey Generals. Other famous figures involved included Steve Young and Jim Kelly as players who later became NFL stars.
After a long hiatus, the USFL was revived in 2022 with completely new ownership and no connection to the original teams or owners except for purchased intellectual property rights to team names and logos.
Management Structure and Equity
The USFL’s management structure has evolved significantly since its 2022 relaunch. Initially, the equity was split between Fox Sports and Brian Woods through their joint venture, National Spring Football League Enterprises Co., LLC.
Fox Sports later became the sole owner, controlling 100% of the equity in the league. The media giant’s headquarters in New York City serves as the league’s main business office.
With the merger creating the UFL, the equity structure has changed again. RedBird Capital Partners joins Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia as key stakeholders in the newly formed league.
The football operations side remains separate from business operations, with experienced sports executives overseeing day-to-day management of teams, player personnel, and competition rules.
Teams and Key Figures
The USFL features several teams across the United States with connections to former NFL stars and notable football executives. The league’s structure includes a mix of ownership models and key personalities who help shape its direction.
USFL Teams Overview
The modern USFL consists of eight professional football teams divided into two divisions. The Birmingham Stallions have emerged as one of the league’s powerhouse teams, winning championships in recent seasons. The Michigan Panthers, Houston Gamblers, and Memphis Showboats round out some of the recognizable franchises.
Other teams include the New Jersey Generals, who have historical significance dating back to the original USFL when they were owned by Donald Trump. The league’s ownership structure changed significantly when the USFL merged with the XFL to form the United Football League (UFL).
The rebranded UFL now includes teams from both original leagues, with three teams coming from the USFL and five from the XFL, including the D.C. Defenders, Arlington Renegades, and Houston Roughnecks.
Notable Players and Coaches
The USFL has attracted both rising talents and former NFL players looking to showcase their skills. Historically, the original USFL featured future Hall of Famers like Reggie White and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker, who signed a record contract with the New Jersey Generals.
On the coaching front, Daryl Johnston, a former Dallas Cowboys fullback, serves as an executive in the league’s front office. The league has focused on recruiting coaches with NFL experience to build credibility and develop players who might eventually move to the NFL.
Teams employ a mix of veteran coaches and innovative football minds who implement systems that sometimes differ from standard NFL approaches. This creates opportunities for tactical innovation and player development not always available in the more established NFL.
USFL-NFL Connections
The relationship between the USFL and NFL has evolved over time. The original USFL competed directly with the NFL for players, often offering more lucrative player contract terms to attract talent away from the established league.
Today’s USFL has connections to NFL owners. For example, the USFL side of the merger was owned by Fox Sports, while the XFL ownership included Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital.
There’s also historical precedent for ownership overlap. For instance, Edward DeBartolo Jr. owned a USFL team while his family simultaneously owned the Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers.
The league serves as both a development opportunity for players aspiring to reach the NFL and an alternative for football fans during the NFL offseason. Many players have used successful USFL stints as springboards to NFL contracts.
Legal and Commercial Affairs
The USFL’s ownership landscape has been shaped by legal battles, strategic mergers, and broadcast partnerships. These elements have defined the league’s position in the competitive spring football market.
Merger and Antitrust Suit
The USFL recently made headlines when it merged with the XFL to form the United Football League (UFL). This merger combined two competing spring football leagues into a single entity.
The legal side of this deal was handled by top firms in sports law. Skadden and Proskauer Rose guided the complex transaction, with Skadden corporate partners Thaddeus Hartmann and Jeffrey Brill leading the team for the XFL side.
Before the merger, the original USFL ownership group filed a lawsuit trying to block Fox Sports from launching their version of the USFL. They claimed Fox didn’t have the right to use the USFL name and trademarks.
Broadcast Rights and Partnerships
Fox Sports plays a dual role as both minority owner and primary broadcast partner for the USFL. This arrangement gives the network significant influence over the league’s operations and exposure.
The broadcast strategy has been central to the league’s business model. Games have been aired across multiple platforms to maximize viewership and create revenue streams.
In the merged UFL, broadcast rights are especially valuable. The combined league benefits from the XFL’s previous deals as well as Fox’s continued investment in the USFL product.
The partnership approach differs from traditional minor leagues in other sports, with broadcasting taking center stage in the financial structure rather than ticket sales alone.
Relaunch Strategies and Market Competitors
The USFL’s relaunch strategy involved leveraging nostalgia for the original 1980s league while creating a modern football product. This approach aimed to differentiate it from other spring football attempts.
Competition in the alternative football space has been fierce. Before merging, the XFL and USFL were direct competitors, with the XFL being owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital.
The merger into the UFL represents a survival strategy in a challenging market. Rather than competing for the same spring football audience, the combined league hopes to establish a sustainable minor league football system.
This consolidation may create a more viable path forward, as previous standalone spring leagues have struggled with financial sustainability despite initial fan interest.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The USFL left a significant mark on American football history through innovative rules and star players. Its influence continues today in modern spring football leagues, shaping how fans experience the sport beyond the NFL season.
Impact on American Football
The original USFL (1983-1985) introduced several innovations that later became NFL standards. Two-point conversions, coach’s challenges, and salary caps were USFL concepts that transformed professional football. The league also provided opportunities for talented players who might not have found immediate homes in the NFL.
The USFL attracted major stars like Herschel Walker, Jim Kelly, and Reggie White, who later became NFL legends. This star power helped legitimize spring football as a genuine alternative to the NFL.
Teams like the original Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Stars built passionate fan bases that remembered the league fondly long after it folded. The USFL made an indelible imprint on many future NFL franchises, including the Carolina Panthers.
USFL’s Influence on Modern Spring Football
The revival of spring football owes much to the USFL’s legacy. The Fox Sports-owned USFL relaunch in 2022 built on nostalgia for the original league, bringing back classic team names and colors.
This modern incarnation eventually merged with the XFL to form the United Football League (UFL), combining resources to create a more sustainable spring football model. The merger brought together teams like the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, San Antonio Brahmas, and St. Louis BattleHawks.
The new UFL, led by former XFL executive Russ Brandon, continues the USFL’s tradition of football innovation. Fan-friendly rules, affordable tickets, and increased player access help attract viewers seeking football beyond the NFL season.
Fan Engagement and Digital Presence
The USFL’s owners have invested heavily in creating a modern digital experience for football fans.
Their digital strategy focuses on building community, leveraging data, and forming strategic partnerships to grow the league’s audience between and during games.
Digital Services and Fan Interaction
The USFL offers fans multiple ways to engage with the league online. Their mobile app and website allow fans to stream games, access highlights, and view exclusive content.
The league’s ownership group understands that modern sports consumption happens largely through digital platforms that showcase highlights and interviews.
Users must authenticate to access premium features, with clear consent requirements and privacy settings to protect personal data. The league collects geolocation data to provide region-specific content while maintaining robust security measures.
Social media plays a crucial role in the USFL’s fan engagement strategy. The league maintains active accounts across platforms where they share behind-the-scenes content, player spotlights, and game updates to keep fans connected year-round.
Data Usage and Audience Insights
The USFL’s ownership has embraced data analytics to understand and grow their audience. The league collects search data and conducts audience research to identify trends and preferences among their fan base.
This information drives services development and content creation.
By analyzing viewing patterns and engagement metrics, the league can determine which game formats, players, and storylines resonate most with viewers.
The USFL has partnered with data specialists to enhance these capabilities. For example, the XFL (a competitor that shares some business approaches) has formed a partnership with Genius Sports for official data distribution – a strategy the USFL has likely considered as well.
User data is managed according to a strict cookie policy, which balances analytical needs with privacy concerns.
Advertising Strategies and Partnerships
The USFL ownership has developed innovative advertising approaches that differ from traditional sports leagues. Unlike other leagues that rely heavily on ticket sales, the USFL has created a business model less dependent on gate revenue.
They emphasize personalised advertising based on user data to create more relevant promotions.
Content measurement tools help advertisers understand the impact of their campaigns with the league’s audience.
The league has embraced virtual betting as an engagement tool, allowing fans to wager on simulated events. This creates additional revenue streams and increases viewer involvement during games.
Strategic collaborations with brands, influencers, and media outlets help the league expand its audience. These partnerships typically include cross-promotional content that introduces the USFL to new potential fans.
Seasonal Events and Key Dates
The USFL operates on a distinct seasonal timeline with key events marking important milestones throughout the year. These events shape the league’s structure and provide opportunities for player development and team building.
Historical Timelines and Relaunch Date
The original USFL operated from 1983 to 1985, with team ownership changing hands during this period.
Before the 1984 season, the Los Angeles Express was sold by Alan Harmon and Bill Daniels to mortgage banker J. William Oldenburg, showing how ownership could shift rapidly in the league’s early days.
The modern USFL relaunched in 2022, with its first season kicking off on April 16, 2022. This relaunch was organized by Fox Sports, which became a key owner in the venture through a joint partnership called National Spring Football League Enterprises Co, LLC.
For the 2024 season, following a merger with the XFL, the league transformed into the United Football League (UFL). The UFL started play on March 30, 2024, bringing together teams from both predecessor leagues.
Notable USFL Events
The USFL calendar includes several critical events throughout the year. During August, teams conduct NFL Training Camp Evaluations to scout potential talent.
From September through January, they engage in Agent Player Evaluations, NCAA Evaluations, and attend College Bowl Games to identify promising players.
The regular season typically runs from March through June, with the championship game occurring in early July. This spring-summer schedule allows the league to avoid direct competition with the NFL’s fall season.
Team activities include mini-camps, training camps, and preseason events before the season opener. The UFL schedule features matchups between former USFL teams like the Michigan Panthers and Birmingham Stallions, as well as former XFL teams including the St. Louis Battlehawks and Arlington Renegades.
Player contract negotiations and draft events typically take place in the months leading up to the season, creating excitement and building team identities before games begin.
