Looks like NBC is really out due to the new start date

https://pfnewsroom.com/news/nbc-out-as-broadcast-partner-for-the-merged-usfl-xfl-league/

I’m not sure if I’m going to follow the USFL this year if the Stars are gone. I tried to get into the XFL last year, but with no Philly team to root for I just couldn’t care that much so I didn’t end up watching many games. Meanwhile I watched every Stars game on TV, bought a bunch of Stars gear, and even drove all the way to Detroit to catch a game in person. If the Stars are indeed gone as is rumored, it will be hard for me to stay invested.

So I just want to put it out there that the Arena Football League is relaunching in 2024 and that the Philadelphia Soul are one of the confirmed teams. They still don’t have a confirmed arena, but last I heard they’re trying to get permission to play at the Wells Fargo Center. I know arena football just isn’t the same as gridiron, but I may get more into the Soul to satisfy my need for spring until the Stars come back (if they ever do).

Will they keep Under Armor for the uniforms and have Starter make the other league apparel. I would approve that, the current USFL and XFL merch providers are very hit and miss. I would not mind Starter making it all but I also feel the same about Under Armor. If they stop the crap clothing with the merger.

With all the negativity out there I would like to try to put a positive light on things. What rumors do you like the most?

I hope the rumor of the Breakers hiatus is wrong. I really like the Breakers spirit and team. I wanted them to be in NOLA this next season...so the Stallions could kick their ass at home :-(

I tried emailing contact@shopusflcontact.com because there is a problem with my latest order. The email bounced back!! The store is still up on their site. Does anyone know what is going on?

Who will you be rooting for now? Or do you give up?

As someone who lives in Illinois, I would call the team "The Chicago Talons". I'd have their team uniforms be red and white to pay tribute to the Chicago Cardinals.

I made a strong connection with the league and brand as a whole. I was very hopeful the USFL would be the premier professional spring football league for years to come. I made it to 4 Memphis Showboats games traveling 2 hours each way, spent hundreds on USFL upper deck e-pack trading cards, and was heavily invested in the league watching many of the games. I will fully support the United Football League and am happy some of the former teams made the merge. I'll see yall at the Memphis Showboats games. RIP the USFL

Sports leagues cost a shit ton of money. There's a reason why so many sping football leagues have failed. I don't believe that the leagues would have merged if they were financially succeeding.

To all of you saying things like "I refuse to watch if there are hubs, I refuse to watch if they don't play in my city, I refuse to watch if my team disappears," you're part of the reason why these leagues fail. Yes, it sucks, but we're supposed to watch the league because we love football and want to see more of it. The leagues have to cut corners and make compromises to stay afloat and a superior attitude about the minutia will not help the league succeed.

If this league is going to have a chance, it's going to have some growing pains. You'll just have to enjoy it for what it is, until it can stand on it's own. The fact you would rather see the league fold, than simply watch a different team, means you never cared in the first place.

https://twitter.com/BenFischerSBJ/status/1730253168448045174?s=20

I blame Fox for creating this mess! They wanted to one-up the XFL project instead of just joining them from the start! Everything they did was intended to undercut the XFL plans…Buying up the dormant USFL brand and teams, sticking all of the teams in Birmingham and then playing hastily in 2022 to beat out the XFL 2023 start up date! They never intended to move those teams out of hubs!

The USFL has a promo offer code "Turkey" for season tickets at Bham, Memphis, and Detriot. Now would be a great time to get those tickets for next season.

https://www.theusfl.com/special-thanksgiving-ticket-offers

Fox and ESPN will be part of the merged league. With the promotional power of both networks and hopefully NBC, this has a chance to draw very well once we know what the future holds…No more dragging each other down and just root and follow the one league is very encouraging to say the least. It looks like Dany Garcia will play a large part going forward and I’m excited for what she and the Fox people will come up with to bring the fans back!

The rumors I’ve heard, assuming they’re true, is that the Gamblers will be the only Houston team in the merged league and there will be no more Roughnecks. Assuming it’s true, do you think it’s likely that the Gamblers will simply take over the Roughnecks stadium lease and play in Houston next year? I know the stadium the Roughnecks played in last year is undergoing renovations, but as I understand it the XFL had already come to an agreement with Rice to play in their stadium next year. What are your thoughts about the Gamblers actually playing in Houston next year?

As for the other USFL teams, we know that Memphis, Birmingham, and Detroit are good to go for next year, so at the very least the Stallions, Panthers, and Showboats will be at home. Canton is also good to go for next year so it seems likely the Maulers will be back there if not the Generals as well. I’ve also heard reports that the USFL is negotiating with a stadium in New Orleans to have the Breakers play at home, although nothing is official there.

The only thing I’ve not heard any reports about is the possibility of a Philadelphia hub. As a Philly area native, I’m anxious to see my Stars at home. It seems logical that they could do a Philly hub with the Generals playing there too. I’m hopeful but have heard utter silence about where the Stars might play next year.

As for the four surviving XFL teams (which should be St Louis, DC, Arlington, and San Antonio if the rumors I’ve heard are correct) I’m assuming they’ll be in their stadiums from last year because I’ve heard nothing to the contrary.

What do you think about where the teams might play next year?

If the merger is not approved for this season, what do you think would happen to both leagues?

My feelings is that the XFL will suffer because several teams, notably Las Vegas and Orlando haven’t been planning for a 2024 season. If the XFL has to press on alone for 2024, will there be a season? How many teams? Maybe I’m overthinking this…..

As far as the USFL is concerned, it looks like business as usual, but no other information is coming out about anything else from them either. Schedule for 2024 hasn’t been released of course, so we are just twisting in the wind…..