XFL, USFL confirm âintent to mergeâ
The two spring football leagues–the USFL and XFL–confirmed their intent to merge.
“Subject to customary regulatory approvals and if the transaction is consummated, the new league will establish best-in-class operations based on the most recent seasons of both leagues,” the entities announced. “This historic combination will anchor professional spring football with substantial capabilities and resources to ensure future growth and continue to enhance the development of the collective players, coaches, and staff that are coming together.”
While no further details were released, AL.com previously reported that the two-time defending champion Birmingham Stallions will take the field as members of the merged league, according to Jefferson County Commission Chair Jimmie Stephens.
“I spoke with someone and received assurances the Stallions will be part of whatever the new league looks like,” Stephens said during a discussion about future events at Protective Stadium at Wednesday’s meeting of the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Board of Directors, of which he is an ex-afficio member as County Commission Chair.
Later, he added: “They said, they look forward to continuing their relationship with us as it has been in the past.”
The United States Football League 2.0, most wholly owned by Fox Sports as a television play, endured two seasons. Two seasons with Birmingham, Alabama as its foundation—for all eight teams in its inaugural 2021-22 season, then was one of four cities that listed two teams in 2022-23.
The XFL was fueled and still mostly owned by World Wrestling Enterprise (WWE) founder Vince McMahon in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alas, it ceased after just five games and filed for bankruptcy in August 2020 until a new consortium, led by actor Dwayne (the Rock) Johnson, bought the remnants for $15 million.
THis story will be updated.