On Wednesday, FOX announced the return of the United States Football League (USFL) that will launch in the spring of 2022.
The new league will feature eight teams split into two divisions. Those divisions will be the North and South. Each team will play a ten-game regular-season schedule, with each team playing each other twice in the same division and once in the other division.
The top two teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs, and a week later will be the championship game.
All USFL games will be played in one location, reportedly in Birmingham, Alabama. The season will begin in mid-April and run through mid-June, followed by the playoffs.
The games will be played on Saturday and Sunday with special broadcasts on Monday and Friday. FOX Sports is the official broadcast partner of the USFL.
FOX announced that overseeing the USFL are Brian Woods, Daryl Johnston, Mike Pereira, and Ed Hartman.
Brian Woods will serve as the league’s President of Football Operations. He is the owner of The Spring League (TSL). The Spring League aired on FOX in 2020 and 2021.
Daryl “Moose” Johnston is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and will serve as the Executive Vice President of Football Operations. He is currently a broadcaster for FOX. In 2019, he was the General Manager of the San Antonio Commanders of the AAF, and in 2020 was the Director of Player Personnel for the Dallas Renegades of the XFL.
Longtime NFL Referee and current FOX Sports’ NFL and College Football Rules expert Mike Pereira will serve as the Head of Officiating. Ed Hartman will serve as the Executive Vice President of Business Operations.
FOX Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks on the USFL said, “We are extremely fortunate to have this extraordinary team of experienced executives to guide the new USFL’s development as we move toward launch this spring.” In addition, Shanks will serve as the Chairman of the USFL’s Board of Directors.
Shanks added on the hires said. “I am confident Brian, Daryl, Mike, and Edward have the passion, experience, and commitment we need to get the job done, so come April, we will offer a compelling, high-quality game of professional football that fans will embrace.”
The USFL was a beloved spring football league that played from 1983-85. In its short history, the Michigan Panthers won the first USFL championship over the Philadelphia Stars 24-22 at the Pontiac Silverdome. The Philadelphia Stars won the championship in 1984 and later relocated to Baltimore and won the 1985 championship.
FOX Sports will have more announcements on the USFL in the coming weeks.
