On December 2nd, 2021, Major League Baseball’s owners voted unanimously to institute a lockout. This is the first work stoppage for MLB since 1994.
One month into the lockout, there is still no progress in the negotiations between the owners and the players association. With spring training less than a month away, it’s doubtful that the season will get going on time.
If the lockout continues into what would’ve been the start of the season, Major League Baseball is opening the door for spring football to takeover. The United States Football League (USFL) will kick off its season in mid-April. FOX Sports own the league.
Right now, we don’t know when the lockout will end. The longer the MLB lockout continues, spring football has a chance to thrive this year. If history has taught us anything, people will find other sports to watch.
Besides watching sports, many people gamble on the games and won’t be able to bet on them. Sports betting has become huge to sports leagues since 2019. Instead, gamblers will find other sports to bet on like golf, auto racing, tennis, and spring football. The USFL has a chance to make some big bucks if gamblers bet on their games.
Since 2019, the AAF, XFL, and The Spring League have given more players an opportunity to play football. Otherwise, players were limited to playing in the CFL or the indoor leagues. The USFL has stepped up to the plate in hopes of becoming a successful spring football league.
In 2020, the XFL did well in ratings, beating some baseball, college basketball, and NHL games. However, due to the pandemic, the XFL shut down just five games into their season.
This time around, the USFL has a chance to draw a bigger audience with the ongoing MLB lockout. The USFL must create a product that people will stick to watching and not leave when Major League Baseball ends the lockout. Then again, there is a chance they will complete the season before the lockout ends.
The United States Football League are in a great position to thrive, while Major League Baseball will only have themselves to blame if there is no 2022 season.
