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

The official unification of spring football leagues is now on record. The XFL, held by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital, will merge with Fox-owned USFL, birthing a new league known as the United Football League, or UFL in short. This news was announced by Johnson and Garcia during the Fox Sunday pregame show.

Johnson expressed his optimism about the newly formed UFL, foreseeing players showing intense resilience and passion in football. Drawing from his experience with the University of Miami, Johnson hoped that the UFL could become a stepping stone to the NFL. He urged upcoming players to seize this opportunity and make a mark in UFL before proceeding to the NFL.

The new league is slated to begin on March 30, 2024 and will be aired on Fox, ABC, ESPN, and FS1. Fox has a ownership history with the USFL while ESPN was the broadcasting partner during the XFL's introductory season.

The former CEO of the XFL, Ross Brandon, will now lead the UFL as its CEO. Joining him, Daryl Johnston, the previous USFL president of football operations, will manage football operations for the UFL. Further details regarding specific markets will be disclosed before the UFL’s inaugural season.

Fox CEO Eric Shanks reaffirmed the success of USFL and Fox's standing as a network for football. He exuded confidence in UFL’s future and its place in the sports calendar.

The chairperson of ESPN, Jimmy Pitaro, praised the union of USFL and XFL, branding the UFL as a league that will deliver an action-packed season to the sports enthusiasts.

Garcia cited shared vision, passion for the game, and the promise of opportunities that football provides as the driving force behind this new venture, aiming to evolve and sustain the tradition of spring football.

Cardinale emphasized the strength borne out of the collaboration between the tactical capital and company-building approach of RedBird, the comprehensive broadcast reach of FOX and ESPN, and the marketing and entertainment expertise of Dany Garcia. He remains hopeful of the UFL's chances to rank among the nation's top professional leagues.