XFL & USFL announce intent to merge

News
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Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/09/28/xfl-usfl-announce-intent-to-merge/

The two leagues are merging. 

Via a press release (courtesy of ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter), the USFL and XFL have announced the intent to merge leagues. It is noted in the release that the new league will cement the future of professional spring football. 

USFL agreed to terms with XFL’s ownership group and submitted the necessary filings of the proposed merger. The review process is underway and does not come with any guaranteed outcomes. USFL notes that they are focused and committed to delivering a heightened level of excellence for the USFL’s third season. 

The owners of XFL are RedBird Capital Partners, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia. USFL is under FOX Corporation. 

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If Dwayne turns a profit on the XFL, that’s more than the prior owner can say… twice.

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Interesting. I wonder which name they will keep. Of if it’ll be a new name.

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I know nothing about football aside from 30 for 30 documentaries.

Would it not make more sense to go with USFL, a) because their is history to the name (even if not totally connected?) And b) XFL has essentially failed three times now. And more or less become a punchline?

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A new name would be a better option in imo, the USFL’s history is barely rosier than XFL. Best to get the stink off of the both of them.

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I don’t think the XFL failed this time around, it had some viewership growth toward the end of the season. It wasn’t a tremendous success either but better than what Vince McMahon has put out multiple times.

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Fair enough. But I think it’s not a controversial opinion to state that the vast majority of brand recognition it has is related to the failure of the initial run.

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I think the failure of the XFL is something that is much more known by wrestling fans due to the connection between Vince and the league. Both leagues are looked at as D level, and the majority of football fans think both are a joke, and quite frankly the average fan probably doesn’t even know the difference anyways. NFL is king, nothing even comes close to completing on a professional level (I’m not talking college).

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Do you want the floundering brand that people associate with WWE or the floundering brand that people associate with Donald Trump?

I don’t have much of an opinion on this merger, because I have no idea what “success” looks like for another pro football league. I know that for the people who own it, it means profit. But what does it mean for the consumer?

Even minor league baseball — which has been downsized recently, but is in no danger of folding — doesn’t really make money, rarely draws big crowds on a consistent basis (some southern teams do, but the vast majority don’t) and isn’t on TV.

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