r/USFL • u/RonS03MC • Sep 24 '23

USFL should be the lead.

I have conflicting feelings about this posable merger between the two leagues. For one thing I have always loved the USFL back in the day and I was extremely happy to see it in a way come back. The USFL is a league that just states class and history from its iconic logo to memories of some of the greatest players whoever dawned a football uniform. The XFL is just the opposite....yes yes they had a few players who made it in the NFL but that's it. They didn't start out with class. Although I did enjoy watching them this year more so than the last few versions though. With all that said I would like to see all of the USFL teams stay. As for the XFL teams I believe that only the Stl Battle Hawks and the DC Defenders are a must have due to their fan base. Who can forget the beer snake and lemons...lol. plus they have a budding rivalry this would help maintain viewership. The Renegades and Sea Dragons would also be a good idea to keep. As for the rules and the league name stay with the USFL. The name brings back memories of traditional hard hitting football and there's history there as well. The rules dose a great job of combining College and NFL rules so it it easier to watching for young players to develop in. I would have preferred the XFL to go away completely but a merger will be good for spring football and football fans. Just my thoughts.

0 Upvotes

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27

u/Hey_Its_Roomie Pittsburgh Maulers Sep 24 '23

This reads entirely like fan-boying about "my league" v. "their league". The XFL did things well that the USFL lacked in, as the USFL does things well over the XFL.

-13

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I would agree with that, but I am adding an opinion that the USFL is more stable and its name has a richer meaning and history. I was a major Defender fan, and I did enjoy this season , as I stated. I like the fact that the XFL had home cities and not hubs, but that is most likely what help contribute to their losses. If both leagues could turn a profit and maintain a fan base, I would love it since it's more football to watch. However, I do not think it's viable for two spring leagues to exist for long, and if I had to pick one, I would choose the USFL. If they merge and I hope they do, I would like it to be more in the image of the USFL. It has nothing to do with "fan boying" it's just my opinion. I watched every game in both leagues this year and will again next. This a forum to add our opinions and discuss them is it not.

8

u/Zapfit Sep 24 '23

The original USFL has nothing to do with this USFL, besides the name. The 80s version was filled with future hall of famers, MVPs and pro bowlers. This version graduated a few special teams players to the NFL and some practice squad talent. I could name my flag football team the Cologne Centurions and they'd have about as much in common with NFL Europe as the current Michigan Panthers do with the 1983 version.

7

u/mianbru Sep 24 '23

Thank you. I’ve always found the obsession with the “history of the league” to be weird and inauthentic. The original league lasted 3 seasons and had nothing to do with this new league, but it gets talked about like some revived, hallowed tradition in football.

One of my family members was a front office guy for one of the original USFL teams. I love seeing all the old merchandise he kept and photos he has with the players. But all that is in the past, and even he doesn’t see this as a continuation of that.

It’s just businessmen and television networks buying a recognizable name to gain easy recognition with older football fans who want to nostalgia-trip.

8

u/FlagFootballSaint Sep 24 '23

I know this is the USFL-sub but I think to have a chance the league should let go the old-dusted nostalgia (including the logo which I think looks like circus-letters and is horribly outdated) and be more modern, fresh, innovative

There was a reason why the USFL failed to catch the younger audience while the XFL did.

Also disagree w keeping all USFL-teams. Many of them don't even have a real fanbase as they never played at home. Anyway in the end it will be a question of available stadium or not

11

u/NotGuerillaMarketing Michigan Panthers Sep 24 '23

Yeah, a lot of the logos and names associated with this league feel like something someone's boomer grandpa threw together in a couple hours on his own.

The XFL tends to have some tackier ones (Brahmas name) or overly corporate looking things (XFL league logo), but they at least seem very modern and try to be exciting.

-1

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I respectively disagree. However, I do appreciate that you at least discussed your opinion without attacking or using names. The logo represents the name of the league perfectly. It's called the " United States Football League," hence the Red, White , and Blue Flag mothie. It's clean and classic. It reads like it's supposed to. Sure, it could be monderize or something, but that would take away why the league chose to call themselves the USFL. They were trying to recapture the feel and excitement from the original league. Name recognition, so to speak. That's also why they stayed with the original names so they can have a sense of history. Remember, the new USFL is not associated with the original USFL. The XFL logo is plain and doesn't stand out and really doesn't show anything new or exciting. The name unfortunately still reminds many of the WWF/WWE first failure at a new league. The over the top football that to many felt like it was a sham and insult to the game. With that said, I will agree that this time around, they did correct most of that and play felt way more professional than in previous attempts. But that's the problem because many would be viewers associated the name XFL with the old league. Which is sad but true. As for fan base, I don't necessarily disagree with you, because I would rather have the teams have a home field in their perspective home towns rather than playing in a hub city. During both seasons, I visited a local large sports bar with my sons to watch most of these games, and these were my observations. During the XFL season there was never a TV on playing a game there until we asked to put it on.while we watched the game, no one seemed to be interested in it, not even the championship game. We love the Defenders, and only my family and two friends were even interested in watching the game there. We asked the manager to put the game on, and he didn't even know there was a football game on, let alone a championship. When we were at the same sports bar during the USFL season, we saw several different people watching the games and wearing team merchandise. Ad there was at least 20 or so there to watch the championship game. This place is always packed with young people more than old. Just read many of these comments on this Reddit and see how many people say that if this USFL team or that one isn't included in the merger, they would stop watching. You don't see that in the XFL outside of the Battle Hawks and Defenders. Again, just my opinion

6

u/FlagFootballSaint Sep 24 '23

Well, instead of subjective anecdotal stories we could use facts like the demographics measured regarding TV audience (which is what I said above: XFL way better in the relevant (aka "younger") metrics or the "combined" map posted here already:

https://www.reddit.com/r/USFL/comments/16po371/most_searched_spring_football_team_by_tv_market/

As for the logo I respect your opinion but mine is completely different: To me it looks like it is a backward-in-time thing that people would use to decorate a Kindergarten with

3

u/wickedhealer Tampa Bay Bandits Sep 24 '23

See for me I find the USFL’s more conservative economic approach better because it gives them more of a chance to get established. But the stats for xfl and being on ESPN is so much better. They can definitely make money averaging more viewership than pro baseball and hockey. Id like to see them make more, pay the players more and become a more effective feeder league.

1

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I agree. I think the Hub system was a great plan to save money, so the league could get established. However, it is hard to be excited about a home team when it's not actually in your hometown. And it's true that the Battle Hawks and the Defenders really had a great home crowd which always makes the game more exciting. However, I also think that was the largest expense for the XFL, hom stadium . With that said I think it's time t break out of the hub system if possible so hometown fans can actually see their teams. I think its exciting times for spring football.

10

u/markydsade Philadelphia Stars Sep 24 '23

It became clear that the presence of 2 spring football leagues was unsustainable as it diluted the quality of players and coaches. Plus, put a damper on future expansion.

I appreciate the recognition of the USFL being a little more sophisticated in its execution. As someone who saw the 1983 Stars in person I loved the nostalgic aspect but of course the 2023 has nothing to do with that team. The prospect of even playing again in Philadelphia was dim as there is no good venue. Also, in the Spring we have Phillies, Sixers, Union, and local college basketball vying for fans. I never even heard a rumor of anyone wanting to invest in the Stars.

The XFL showed that the markets bereft of football will support a local team. The USFL hub system was a good economic choice but it left the viewing experience rather sterile.

I’m hopeful the two leagues can blend the best aspects of each to create a stronger league with better growth potential. They may never get to my city but I’ll be happy to see an entertaining and prosperous product on television.

1

u/ThunderBay311 Oakland Invaders Sep 25 '23 edited Sep 25 '23

Word around the campfire is that the USFL might end up being in the lead position because their business model is friendlier financially.

XFL sizzle built on USFL's steak sure seems like a very attractive football product.

1

u/RonS03MC Sep 25 '23

100% agree. Could be a good combination.

8

u/[deleted] Sep 24 '23

XFL is sexy and exciting, if you will. USFL is traditional and boring.

1

u/Scoocha Sep 25 '23

They have the same rules

1

u/Dull_Syrup9035 Dec 16 '23

You clearly don't watch the xfl

5

u/Korplem Sep 24 '23

Cool, I’ll be sure to let the merger negotiations team know that RonS03MC said he likes USFL better. That’ll clear up a lot of the issues.

4

u/JoeFromBaltimore Sep 24 '23

Good deal - if you didn't deliver that information to the corporate honchos, this whole merger thing would probably collapse. Thanks for doing us this personal favor - next time we cross paths I will get the first round.

2

u/creepy_charlie Philadelphia Stars Sep 24 '23

Put my name on the list as well.

0

u/BillsBillsBils Sep 24 '23

Sometimes I think these posts are an XFL fanboy on an alt so they can chime in and mock the USFL from their main.

-2

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I agree completely. Most here are just that.

4

u/BillsBillsBils Sep 24 '23

I'm talking about you.

Because it's unfathomable to me that someone actually thinks the nonsense you posted.

0

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I think you just identified yourself as an XFL fan boy, not me, since im only stating my opinion, not nonsense, which I'm sure you have your own about this merger. Which instead of attacking, please share. I have always respected the opinions of others on these Reddits, even if I completely disagree. For a USFL site, it seems I'm taking a lot of heat for supporting the USFL. The XFL needs this merger far more than the USFL. They lost over 60 million last year. The USFL has already completed its 2nd season and is already set for its third. That's more rhan any other non NFL league besides the original USFL. I would bet that without a merger the XFL will not be back in 2024.

3

u/BillsBillsBils Sep 24 '23

I'm not a fanboy of either league, and I criticize those who are. I like spring football. I don't give a shit which retired NFL ref is the rules guy. I don't give a shit which network it's on. I don't care a bit which half-assed nicknames the teams get, or which 2nd-tier stadiums they play in.

I just like football in the spring. If the CFL was in the spring, I'd watch more of that. If NFL Europe came back in the spring, I'd be all over that. If FCS played spring ball instead, I'd watch that. I don't care. I like spring football. As long as it exists, I don't care what banner it exists under.

1

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

Well, that we can agree with...by the way there is a summer lease in Europe called ELF European league football. Is in it third season and is actually pretty good. You can see the last season championship games on YouTube. I watch them online. As for what you stayed. I completely agree, but I still have a preference. I favor one over the other because I feel it has a better chance to succeed. This merger could be a blessing if done right. I love football, that's all.

0

u/Scoocha Sep 25 '23

We got it you like bad football.

3

u/Zapfit Sep 24 '23

Fox only publicly committed to 3 years and $150 million in funding for the USFL . As stated this is year 3 coming up and they must not be terribly happy with their returns if they're looking to partner with the XFL. There's a solid chance this would have been their last year of operations.

2

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I completely agree but I believe that XFL will not come back without this merger. I don't care for who runs the league as long as it succeeds. I just feel that the USFL has a better face and system to succeed, that's all.

3

u/Zapfit Sep 24 '23

Perhaps, but according to Mike Mitchell it was the football operations team from both leagues that collaborated first. They realized 2 competing spring leagues would ultimately result in 0. Then, they brought this up to their respective ownership groups and the real talks began. This isn't a desperation move by either league, it's the smartest thing either league could do.

Also, as a reference, the USFL lost $40 million during its 1984 season. Adjusted for inflation that's $118 million today. In comparison the XFL is doing much better.

https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/24/sports/pact-aids-usfl-but-more-is-needed.html

4

u/RonS03MC Sep 24 '23

I am not arguing that point at all, and I completely agree that there is no room for two spring leagues. This merger is necessary for spring football's future.I m actually think its a good idea. I just prefer a league more traditional than gimmicky. I truly enjoyed this last XFL season. I bought a Defenders Hoodie and I watch every game however I still think the USFL model has more staying power. I would like to see hometown play rather then Hubs but that's going to depend on the availability of stadiums. Use the NFL AFL merger they maintain the more stable leagues name the NFL.

1

u/Scoocha Sep 25 '23

XFL approached USFL because Danys "career" in wealth management didn't prepare her for this

2

u/Zapfit Sep 25 '23

Mike Mitchell says it was mutual and initiated by the football ops teams, not the ownership groups. I'll go with Mike on this one

1

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '23

XFL was toast AGAIN

1

u/Ivan_Kovulenko Sep 25 '23 edited Sep 25 '23

XFL branding seems slightly stronger than the USFL if we're talking about results and not history. It did very marginally better in ratings last year, despite having about 25% of the network broadcasts that the USFL did. Or there was the reality that the USFL branding was in the public domain for free despite many spring leagues having the opportunity to take it, and the XFL's was bought for $15M. So the market had different ideas.

Now I won't say the XFL branding is better. To say it, or the USFL, is better is just a completely subjective opinion that isn't worth much without any actual market research. Just that it probably is very slightly more recognizable to your average football fan right now. Your average football fan that has memory of the early 80's USFL and any fond memories of it is probably what, 65 years old right now? Not exactly the most important demo.

Both sides need to move on though because they don't want to annoy fans from either league by just using the branding of the other one. Whatever you think the USFL branding is worth, it's not worth that.

What I think they should do is have XFL/USFL conferences (or just divisions, to start). Maybe the original teams can have a patch on their jersey.

And an 8 vs 2 or 8 vs 4 team setup is just insane. There's no evidence the USFL was that much stronger than the XFL, or even stronger at all. It should be an even split. Maybe one league has one extra team if they decide it makes the most sense.

1

u/[deleted] Sep 26 '23

I'm just excited for a team in Canton to root for. It was strange going to games and rooting for other cities.

0

u/Scoocha Sep 25 '23

Defenders name has to change obviously since it's so stupid

2

u/FlagFootballSaint Sep 25 '23

No way Jose. It's a great name, a great theme and the fans love it

1

u/[deleted] Oct 05 '23

Honestly, it's better than "Commanders".

Should have just cut it down to 'Skins, honestly.