After a 36-year hiatus, the United States Football League is set to return in the spring of 2022 with eight teams, and FOX Sports will be its television partner. The new USFL retained key original USFL names.
The USFL was the first spring league in the United States that launched in 1983 with twelve teams. In 1983, The Michigan Panthers won the USFL championship over the Philadelphia Stars. The league featured future hall of fame players and coaches from Marv Levy, George Allen, Reggie White, Gary Zimmerman, Jim Kelly, Steve Young, Sam Mills, and Hershel Walker.
The Spring League Founder and CEO Brian Woods is the co-founder of the USFL and FOX Sports, owning a minority equity stake in the company. Details were not provided as to who the other co-founder is.
Brian Woods released a statement on the relaunch of the USFL, which said, “I’m extremely passionate about football and the opportunity to work with FOX Sports and to bring back the USFL in 2022 was an endeavor worth pursuing. We look forward to providing players a new opportunity to compete in a professional football league and giving fans everywhere the best football viewing product possible during what is typically a period devoid of professional football.”
In the last three years, FOX Sports has aired alternative spring leagues like the XFL in 2020 and The Spring League in the fall of 2020 and 2021. FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks on becoming a television partner with the USFL, said, “The relaunch of the USFL is a landmark day for football fans and FOX Sports. Football is in our DNA, and the return of this innovative and iconic league is a fantastic addition to our robust slate of football programming.”
The new USFL has already launched a website and will release more information on teams, cities, head coaches, and game schedules at a later date.
