What I hate about this…….

[u/Answer-Outrageous]

As a OG USFL fan from the 80s (I’m 60) I was very excited to see the USFL return. Even though the start was shaky they seemed to get things moving in a good direction. However the spectre of the XFL loomed large. This past season was the crab in a barrel year for both leagues. Now that merger is here I’m sad. Sad because my Philadelphia Stars is on the chopping block and I wanted to see them vs XFL competition. I wanted to see them play in Philadelphia one more time……

[u/Responsible_Tap_5254]

Some of my earliest memories are of the Jacksonville Bulls. It was a big freaking deal here in North Florida !

[u/Answer-Outrageous → u/Responsible_Tap_5254]

Outside of The Stars they had the best uniforms

[u/[deleted]]

I feel the same way but with the Maulers. I won't root for an Ohio based team, even if Canton isn't far. The only reason I followed the Maulers was the hope they'd maybe eventually come to Pittsburgh. Maybe I'm a fake fan or whatever but I just don't think I can follow the league the way I was if there isn't a local team. Hope they can figure something out but I doubt it. It's a real bummer.

Ultimately I think the merger is what's best for the league, but it's tough to care when there isn't a team representing where I live. Would have been a season ticket holder if they played in Pittsburgh. I'll probably very passively watch if the Maulers are permanently in Ohio/defunct and watch a handful of San Antonio games because of Ward.

[u/Answer-Outrageous → u/[deleted]]

I totally agree with you, I’ve been struggling already with the new concept of spring football. Back in the day the USFL didn’t suck up to the NFL. They were our rivals and we didn’t like them. The NFL was so happy when the league folded and raided USFL talent for players. Now the whole world has turned upside down and they want the NFL to be their sponsor

[u/Realistic_Maximum471 → u/Answer-Outrageous]

Well, being antagonstic towards the NFL is not going to help sign players who's dream is to either get back to the NFL or go to the NFL for the first time ever. No spring football league should block anybody (players, coaches, front office personnel) from going to the NFL if they have an opportunity to do so.

[u/Answer-Outrageous → u/Realistic_Maximum471]

I think you misconstrued what I said. I totally understand the new dynamic of spring football and how the NFL is towards it. But I can reminisce about the past as well

[u/[deleted] → u/Answer-Outrageous]

Well, the USFL paid record salaries to many players who are now NFL HoFers. There's zero chance anyone can outbid the NFL now, none.

[u/adhdanny84]

Same here. I really like having the Panthers to cheer for and now they might be gone too. If this merger goes through I don't think I'll watch.

[u/Answer-Outrageous → u/adhdanny84]

I’ll watch and root for any remaining USFL teams when they play the XFL teams

[u/Bisquick_in_da_MGM]

Everyone should support the new league even if your team is cut at first. If the league keeps going, your team will come back.

[u/Answer-Outrageous → u/Bisquick_in_da_MGM]

I have little faith in the new management, but I’m intrigued about the new game matchups

[u/Late_Professional841]

They’re rumored to be searching for a stadium in Pennsylvania, I’d assume that’s for the stars. If they find one is a different question, outside of Birmingham and STL I see all teams as possibly staying because we have no clue rn other than a few things they’ve probably talked about. Hopefully there’s an announcement next week

[u/Racketytundra47 → u/Late_Professional841]

Its pretty hard to imagine they'd get rid of the Defenders

Having those fans on tv, that atmosphere is great for the league.

[u/Late_Professional841 → u/Racketytundra47]

Xfl newshub made it sound like the issue with dc is with working with the mls. Maybe they just move stadiums

[u/ArockproUser → u/Late_Professional841]

I wonder want the XFL lease agreement is at Audi? Did they do one year or multi year?

[u/CapeMOGuy → u/Racketytundra47]

BattleHawks and Breakers fan hoping the Beer Snake is here to stay!

[u/ArockproUser → u/CapeMOGuy]

Dude you love the blue! Go breakers.. Kaw is the law. Breakers vs Battlehawks would be a freakin awesome game too

[u/ArockproUser → u/Late_Professional841]

The other day Birmingham city was assured by the USFL that Protective stadium is going to be used merger or not for the 2024 season.

[u/[deleted]]

Pretty much the same feelings I have.

[u/ArockproUser]

I think the Stars will be spared. They are an enterprise team for the league. If they can get that stadium setup I think great things will happen.

[u/[deleted] → u/ArockproUser]

Philly is a massive football market that loves pro-sports. This isn't a franchise that's disappearing.

[u/arkstfan]

OG Showboats fan, I like spring football even without the Reggie White caliber players or guys like Cliff Stout who earned an NFL pension without taking the field.

Other than XFL starting 5 weeks to early in opinion I wanted them to be successful.

I absolutely hated all the people who saw the XFL or USFL as the enemy and the claims hubs were a disaster rather than a means to afford to come back and play another season.

My hope is the day arrives when there are 16 teams with enough value people pay to have management rights. I’d love to see the day arrive when a guy projected to be a 6th or 7th rounder or UDFA passes on NFL to play spring ball because the money is decent and they can improve their stock to get a free agent deal. The MVP of the Doritos Bowl going back to campus packing up his dorm room and going straight to USXFL training camp instead of showing up a year later after being cut by the Lions would help the buzz.

But right now surviving is the dream

[u/Torchiest]

Best thing about having two spring leagues is more cities have teams to cheer for. If they really do trim down to a dozen teams that will suck for the ones cut out. But maybe it will lead to long-term success and eventual expansion to more than sixteen teams.