No need to adjust your TV screen: USFL is practically back.
Following the preliminary announcement that the USFL will return in the near future, the league will return to play this spring.
THAN: Things to know about the return of the XFL
With eight teams back on the grid, the league hopes to turn into a spring success where other recent tournaments have failed: Both the American Football League and the XFL’s rebirth are trying to follow. .
Now, the Fox-owned soccer federation hopes to counter that trend. Here’s what you need to know:
When will the USFL return?
USFL comeback will happen later April 2022, and the league hopes to become the latest in a recent series of football leagues (AAF and XFL) to place a claim in the spring. The season will run from mid-April to mid-June, with the playoffs taking place after that.
The game will be played on both Saturday and Sunday, with specials broadcast on Friday and Monday.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have this exceptionally experienced executive team to guide the growth of the new USFL as we move towards its launch this spring,” said FOX Sports CEO and House of Representatives. said producer Eric Shanks, who will serve as chairman of the USFL board.
The USFL was originally founded in 1982 and formed in 1986 after it attempted to challenge the NFL with a fall schedule.
Another league under the same banner tried to return in 2010, but the plan fell through.
What are the teams in the USFL?
The announcement on November 22 indicates that there are eight teams returning from the previous USFL loop:
- Birmingham Stallions
- Gamblers in Houston
- Michigan Panthers
- New Jersey Generals
- New Orleans Breakers
- Philadelphia Stars
- Pittsburgh Maulers
- Tampa Vịnh Bay Bandits
Teams will be divided into two regions North and South:
North Africa: Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers
Southern: Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers, Tampa Bay Bandits
The teams will eventually play at their home turf, but will initially play at the University of Alabama Birmingham. Teams will play the divisional opponents twice (six games) and the rival convention once, for a total of 10 games.
The top two teams of each group face off in a semi-final, and then the winners of the divisions will play against each other in the championship match the following week.
The USFL originally hosted 18 teams and competed on a spring schedule.
What is USFL?
The United States Soccer Federation hosted three spring football seasons from 1983 to 1985. The 1983 season featured 12 teams, most in major markets. The league expanded to 18 teams in 1984 then signed 14 teams in 1985.
Originally seen as the ultimate NFL competitor, the league ranked in 1986 after winning an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit will do more harm to the league than help it, as it has lost $136 million in the process.
The USFL made a huge initial splash when the New Jersey Generals signed the Heisman Trophy bringing back Herschel Walker from Georgia. Walker was the league’s biggest star, running 1,812 yards and 17 touchdowns in 1983.
Walker isn’t the only college superstar to choose the USFL over the NFL. Pro Football Hall of Fame players such as Jim Kelly, Reggie White, Steve Young and Gary Zimmerman got their start in the USFL. George Allen, Bill Polian, Sid Gillman and Marv Levy also participated in the tournament.
Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie signed with the USFL via the NFL after winning the award in 1984.
How much do USFL players get paid?
There’s no word on initial salaries for USFL players, but it’s safe to assume they won’t be paid the same as NFL players. In fact, far from it.
By comparison, the average paid XFL player salary is $55,000, but higher-paid quarterbacks have made nearly half a million dollars.
AAF players earn a salary of $70,000 in their first year and will sign a minimum three-year, $250,000 contract.
Will the USFL keep the same rules?
The league has yet to lay out the rules for the upcoming season, but the league has hired former NFL executive Mike Pereira to lead the league’s executive board.
As is customary with these new tournaments, the USFL promises to “innovate”. We’ll see how that plays out.
