Combined XFL and USFL to be Called UFL, Will Air Games on Fox and ESPN Platforms Starting in 2024

The merger of the spring football leagues is official.

The XFL, owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital’s Gerry Cardinale, will merge with the USFL, owned by Fox, to create a new league called the United Football League, or UFL for short.

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The new league was announced by Johnson and Garcia during the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show.

“I think in the UFL … these players are gonna play hard-nosed, intense football, passionate football,” Johnson said, adding that the hope is for the league to become a springboard to the NFL, citing his own experience playing for the University of Miami and being player “54” (a reference to the 53-man NFL rosters).

“Imagine all those 54s out there, and you tell them you’ve got one more shot in the UFL and then to go on to the NFL potentially, how do you think they’ll play? They’re gonna ball out,” Johnson added.

The new league will kick off on March 30, 2024, with games set to air on Fox, ABC, ESPN and FS1. ESPN was the XFL’s broadcast partner for its inaugural season, while Fox broadcast the USFL in addition to owning the league.

Ross Brandon, the former CEO of the XFL, will be CEO of the UFL, with Daryl Johnston, former USFL president of football operations, to lead football operations for the new league. Specific markets and other details will be announced before the UFL kicks off.

“Fox is football, and the success of the USFL has proven that there’s a bright future for spring football,” Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring together our two leagues — each with a commitment to advancing broadcast practices, rule innovations and the community — only furthers the potential of the United Football League and solidifies its spot on the sports calendar.”

“The United Football League, a powerful combination of the XFL and USFL, will provide passionate sports fans with an entertaining, innovative and action-packed season,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro added. “With compelling storytelling across traditional and digital platforms, fan-friendly innovations and tremendous reach, this visionary league is well-positioned, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

“This new venture is possible because of a shared visionary mindset, a profound passion for the game and first-hand experience living and creating the opportunities that football makes possible,” added Garcia. “As a unified spring league, we are able to deepen our commitment to unlocking and surpassing the dreams of our players, coaches, staff and fans. This league represents continued legacy and evolution, and we look forward to building the universe of spring football.”

“When you combine the entertainment and marketing expertise of Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, the broadcast and network reach of FOX and ESPN and the strategic capital and company building mentality of RedBird, there is a tremendous opportunity to achieve something unique — a valuable and scalable live event entertainment platform that will continue to work closely with the NFL on innovation and player development and have a legitimate shot at becoming one of the top professional leagues in the country after the big four,” Cardinale said.

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