XFL, USFL Rivalry Alive and Well in UFL Year One
Beyond the UFL's brilliant early use of leveraging their networks ABC and FOX to promote the league during NFL regular season and playoff games, and the College Football Playoff, perhaps the new leadership's best strategy for 2024 is keeping the XFL and USFL brands, and rivalry, alive.
For the die-hard supporters and advocates of both leagues, it's going to be a running theme all season long.
The answer to which league, or in this case, conference, is better between the XFL and USFL will come early with the league's scheduling of 2023 champions on March 30. The XFL champion Arlington Renegades and USFL champ Birmingham Stallions will be measured up against one another on opening day and throughout the season.
The trash-talking between players, fans, coaches and executives should be out in full force during the 2024 season. The tribalism that existed before the merger now has a free hall pass and is a huge selling point for the fans.
Every UFL season will end with XFL and USFL champs squaring off for the league's ultimate bragging rights, a UFL championship. It might be a mini-version of what the AFL and NFL had, but it's worth the ride.
Training camp, which begins for the UFL on Feb. 24 in Arlington, will see all eight league teams bring 75 players to camp before rosters are pared down to 50 before the 10-game regular season starts on March 30.
Common Cents! Of Course, UFL Creation About Money
You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.
Catch up with UFL on FanNation on Facebook and X.
Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.