United Football League - The story of the XFL-USFL Merger

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USFL Week 7:

May 28, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 7:

May 28, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 7:

May 29, 2022

Indianapolis, IN -

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USFL Week 7:

May 29, 2022

Indianapolis -

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XFL Week 16:

June 2, 2022

Memphis, TN -

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XFL Week 16:

June 3, 2022

Memphis, TN -

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XFL Week 16:

June 4, 2022

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XFL Week 16:

June 5, 2022

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USFL Week 8:

June 4, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 8:

June 4, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 8:

June 5, 2022

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USFL Week 8:

June 5, 2022

Indianapolis -

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2022 All-XFL Team Unveiled

June 10, 2022

New York, NY - The team of 27 features the league's top passer in Philadelphia Brawlers QB Phillip Walker, its leading compiler of rushing touchdowns in Chicago Enforcers RB Darius Victor, its top receiver in Chicago's KaVontae Turpin, the league's top tackler, LB Donald Payne and DL Chris Odom, both of the Baltimore Brigade, as well as Columbus Ghosts DB Channing Stribling, who leads the league in interceptions.

"The quality of football has been outstanding during the 2022 XFL season. That's a testament to our players and our coaches. It was very competitive for our players to be honored and make the All-XFL Team," said Bill Polian, XFL Commissioner. "There were a lot of players worthy of recognition, so our coaches had multiple tough decisions to help select these players. They were voted as the best in our league, representing 27 positions on offense, defense, and special teams. We're grateful for their belief in our mission in the XFL and proud to honor their commitment to excellence day in and day out of our regular season. They represent the best of our players still chasing their dreams and still playing the game they love, the ultimate team sport, the great game of football."

XFL Quarter-Final:

June 12, 2022

New York, NY -

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XFL Quarter-Final:

June 13, 2022

New York, NY -

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USFL Week 9:

June 11, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 9:

June 11, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 9:

June 12, 2022

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USFL Week 9:

June 12, 2022

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XFL Semi-Final:

June 18, 2022

New York, NY -

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XFL Semi-Final:

June 19, 2022

New York, NY -

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USFL Week 10:

June 18, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 10:

June 18, 2022

Indianapolis -

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USFL Week 10:

June 19, 2022

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USFL Week 10:

June 19, 2022

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USFL Semi-Final:

June 25, 2022

Indianapolis, IN -

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USFL Semi-Final:

June 26, 2022

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XFL Veterans Bowl:

June 26, 2022

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Year Four XFL Financial Report Released

July 1, 2022

Stamford, CT -

XFL President Jeffery Pollack said the league is showing that football can be successful in the spring and that the league wanted to show their gratitude towards the players that have made this league possible, so a $10k bonus check would be going out to every single player in the league, and that the salary cap would be going up league wide from $6M a team to $7M that would result in each player getting a salary bump from $136k to $159k for the 2023 season. He also expects another salary jump next off-season after the XFL finishes the current TV contract. The networks are "very pleased with our ratings and are expecting to expand their offer to our ever growing league."

"We attribute these strong ticket sales to our season ticket members and fans. We had all home games with attendance surpassing 30,000 fans in 2022," said owner Dwayne Johnson. "Our strong financial results allows the league to make these allocations and build our reserves for future years to invest back into the league, the fans and the cities," said Miller. "The XFL has a strong history of profitability. Our stakeholders continue to play an important role in the success of our league, both on and off the field."


USFL Championship:

July 3, 2022

Indianapolis, IN -

XFL & Germany's 2Plus Marketing Group Enter Into Exclusive Agreement

July 5, 2022

Stamford, CT - The XFL and 2PLUS, a German-based event and marketing agency located in Dusseldorf have entered into an exclusive agreement to explore ways to grow the sport of football in Germany, the XFL and 2PLUS mutually announced today. Concepts that the XFL and 2PLUS will consider include exhibitions games, youth football initiatives, and the potential for a German XFL team. In mid-August, an XFL exploratory committee will visit with 2PLUS in person and conduct a tour of multiple German cities.

"German fans have proven that they love American football," said Oliver Luck, XFL Commissioner. "The time is right to explore ways to bring our exciting version of the game to those enthusiastic fans by working with 2PLUS, who is a premiere event and marketing agency."

"2Plus is very excited about this opportunity to assist the XFL in its exploration of Intercontinental opportunities for the expansion of its great brand and very unique style of American Football, said Marko Seidensticker, 2Plus Managing Director.

XFL to Debut in London

July 15, 2022

London, ENGLAND - London is about to become home to a franchise of the fascinating professional football league, the XFL. The team will be owned and operated by Richard Branson and Virgin Football LLC. Branson said "We are thrilled to be partnering with the XFL this season. London is rich in football tradition and passion and we look forward to bringing the area a high level professional football team."

At a news conference today, Branson introduced XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck. "We are pleased to announce the addition of London as part of our 2023 membership and look forward to our first partnership overseas." Luck said. "This gives us an exciting new market with an attractive fan base."

The London Crusaders will play their home games at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

Year One USFL Financial Report Released

August 1, 2022

Indianapolis, IN - National Spring Football League Enterprises LLC

Many were concerned about the attendance figures in the hub setting in Indianapolis. While the league started strong with 17,500 fans in attendance for the first game, but the did not release figures for the other 39 regular-season games, which appeared to be played in a mostly-empty stadium. The poor attendance and the league's inability to connect with fans in most of their city-named teams' markets, believed to hurt league image and credibility amongst casual and mainstream football fans. The USFL acknowledged the issue, and promised to play next season in two to four cities, and the USFL parent company, Fox, hired investment bank Allen & Company to find minority investors to help fund the league's expansion into local markets.

The XFL Welcomes New Pro-Football Team: Berlin Bolts

August 6, 2022

Berlin, GERMANY - Peter Thiel and the Founders Football Fund LLC introduced today the Berlin Bolts, a professional football team playing in the XFL. The Bolts will be playing their home games at the Olympiastadion stadium. The addition of artificial turf in 2012 was a key factor in the XFL choosing Berlin as the second expansion city for the 2023 season.

"We are very excited the XFL has chosen Berlin and Olympiastadion to host the newest franchise in the league," said Thiel. "The Berlin Bolts will be an exciting new brand that will attract fans old and new to Olympiastadion Stadium."

"We are proud to welcome Berlin to the XFL," said Commissioner Oliver Luck. "Their exceptional front office staff, coupled with the strong community support of the German teams in the old NFL Europe, were key indicators that this was a good fit for the XFL."

"Growing the economic benefit of Olympiastadion Stadium is a priority for us. Now, we not only celebrate and make use of this field as a traditional soccer stadium, but we welcome other, alternative activities," stadium manager Marc Molinaro said. "Bringing a professional American football team to Olympiastadion is an exciting addition to Berlin and the region as a whole. Autumn in Berlin is pretty special; the spring will be even better, because we are adding football to the foliage. We look forward to defending Germany."

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XFL and XFLPA Committed to Zero Tolerance on Racial Discrimination

August 5, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL and the XFL Players' Association (XFLPA) released the following joint statement: The XFL and the XFLPA are jointly committed to a policy of zero tolerance of any form of racism or racial discrimination and signified their commitment in writing during the last round of collective bargaining. We have agreed to strengthen our commitment with urgency by agreeing to further define and agree on all issues arising from that joint commitment so both the XFL and XFLPA and through them the entire professional football community will have clarity and certainty moving forward.

Jordan Palmer Joins XFL as Director of Quarterback Development

August 17, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL announced that Jordan Palmer has joined the League as Director of Quarterback Development. Palmer has spent over 15 years on the gridiron as a consultant for elite quarterbacks and as an NFL QB. He will report to Doug Whaley, Senior Vice President, Player Personnel. In this role, Palmer will work with the coaching staff from each XFL team to create a thoughtful and advanced quarterback development program. By combining the physical therapy, strength training, and position coaching from each team into one program, XFL QBs will develop a deeper understanding of their game than ever before. Through the months of September to December, the XFL QBs will work with Palmer and focus on movement efficiency and throwing mechanics. In addition, the XFL QBs will be provided with an actionable plan for continuous development opportunities throughout the offseason and establish consistent remote consulting with Palmer and his team.

"Jordan is one of the top quarterback consultants in the entire sport of football, helping QBs refine and strengthen their physical, mental, and emotional skills to reach their greatest potential. To have him as a consultant, coach, and role model for our athletes - and for him to share our holistic player development strategy is a huge value add to our League," said Russ Brandon, President. "Quarterbacks are an essential function of a team; their performance not only determines the outcome of a game, but their ability to play at a very high level is critical for us to engage fans and deliver a dynamic game of football. With Jordan's leadership and expertise, we will help develop and empower the next generation of QBs."

Whaley added, "The most important position in football is the quarterback, arguably one of the hardest positions to play in all sports. Jordan works with some of the most recognizable young quarterbacks in the NFL - Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, among others - and it'll be great to have his imprint on our players as they further advance their professional development. Jordan was also an early advocate for using technology for training and performance improvement, which aligns with our commitment to innovation. We are thrilled to have him as a crucial member of our football operations team."

XFL Partners with Nick Novak to Run Specialist Showcase

August 21, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL announced it has partnered with Nick Novak, founder of Novak Kicking & Consulting and former professional football placekicker, to run a specialist showcase in San Diego, California on October 23, 2022. This event will focus specifically on kickers, punters and long snappers, and provide a dedicated forum for players to exhibit their skillset exclusively for the XFL's player personnel departments.

"I am excited to be working alongside the XFL. Our goal is to find qualified specialists around the country and put them in a position to succeed both on and off the field. I went through at least 50 free agent workouts during my career. I have designed a program that takes the best elements from those workouts and created a system which determines the strengths and weaknesses of each player. Having the XFL provide this platform for up-and-coming specialists is an invaluable opportunity for all," said Nick Novak.

Brian Westbrook, Sr. Joins XFL as Director of Player Engagement

August 25, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL is pleased to announce that Brian Westbrook, Sr., has joined the League as Director of Player Engagement. Westbrook, Sr. will oversee team matters related to player experience, player and coach relations, off-field player development, and player marketing. He will report to Marc Ross, Executive Vice President, Football Operations. In this role, Westbrook, Sr. will be responsible for all aspects of the league's player engagement program, including developing and leading initiatives to enhance professional development in areas such as media relations, continued education, total wellness, and financial wellbeing. As a liaison between the league and its teams and players, Westbrook, Sr. will help to maintain strategic relationships with athletes and ensuring they are well supported and positioned for success.

"Brian is an incredibly important hire for the XFL as he will be a key driver behind the League's commitment to holistic player development," said Russ Brandon, President. "Following his impressive career in the NFL, Brian has done a phenomenal job building his brand while also committing himself to help other athletes reach their maximum potential on and off the field. We're excited to have him on our team to create a new, unmatched opportunity for player success."

'Bountygate' Ringleader now Leading Defenders' in XFL

August 28, 2022

Cologne, GERMANY - The XFL's Defenders went with Gregg Williams expecting it's defense to be vastly improved under him this season. Williams has made multiple stops during a three-decade NFL coaching career, and his tenure hasn't been without controversy. The defensive guru was implicated in the Saints' "Bountygate" scandal and has had to rebuild his reputation over the past decade. Williams has been a defensive coordinator for seven different NFL teams. He helped take the Titans to the Super Bowl in the 1999 season, and he was in charge of the Saints' defense when New Orleans won Super Bowl 44 a decade later.

XFL Announces Exclusive Partnership with NFL Alumni Academy

September 1, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL announced it has entered an exclusive partnership with the NFL Alumni Academy, an elite in-season training program for NFL Ready" players led by former NFL coaches and players. Together, the XFL and the NFL Alumni Academy will enhance the football ecosystem by combining their scouting and training expertise to develop the next best players in the game and offer more opportunities to play professional football.

"This is a monumental partnership not only for the XFL, but for the entire football ecosystem," said Russ Brandon, XFL President. "The NFL Alumni Academy has found great success over the past two years training and mentoring up-and-coming players, many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL, and we are collaborating to create another avenue of opportunity for players to showcase their talent. We are completely aligned in our player-centric philosophy and we're eager to continue to explore the bounds of this partnership."

XFL hires former Buffalo Bills CEO Russ Brandon as League President

September 5, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL hired former Buffalo Bills CEO Russ Brandon as the league's new president, replacing Jeffrey Pollack. Brandon held multiple positions with the Bills, including chief executive officer, during a 21-year tenure with the team that ended in 2018. He has since worked as an adviser to RedBird Capital Partners. Also joining the league is former New York Giants personnel evaluator Marc Ross, who will serve as executive vice president of football operations and be responsible for assisting with all on-field operations. His deputy will be former Bills general manager Doug Whaley, who has been working in a that capacity since 2019.

"These exceptional and talented executives encompass a deep skill set that aligns with our commitment to delivering an exceptional football universe experience, as well as our shared passion for bringing the XFL back stronger than before the pandemic. Our team's experience across varying professional sports leagues and brands will enable us to deliver an experience for our fans, athletes and partners that represents today's evolution of 'best-in-class.' A tremendous amount of work has already been done with more exciting news to come as we prepare for the 2023 season."

XFL Announces Partnership with Under the Lights Flag Football

September 12, 2022

New York, NY - The XFL announced a partnership with Under the Lights Flag Football, an international youth flag football league for boys and girls from kindergarten through 12th grade. Through this partnership, the XFL will support Under the Light's mission of empowering youth athletes and expanding player opportunity, while also further integrating within football-loving communities, including twenty of the XFL's twenty-eight local markets that Under the Lights is already established.

"I love our XFL and Under the Lights partnership and all the phenomenal opportunities that it will bring us," said Dwayne Johnson, Owner of the XFL. "But the most important opportunity that this partnership will bring, is creating an environment and culture for our kids that is fueled by hard work, discipline, and a whole lot of fun. We at the XFL can't wait to create amazing memories that will last forever for our young athletes as they pursue their football dreams."

Expansion Draft

October 12, 2022

New York, NY -

Paris Musketeers selected WR Dan Williams(Vipers), Dontez Byrd(Dragons), Eli Rogers(Defenders), OL Brett Boyko(Fleet), Fred Lauina(Legends), Stansly Maponga(Dragons), LB Terrance Plummer(Vipers), Tegray Scales(Renegades), DB Matt Elam(Alphas), Trumaine Washington(Greys)

Winnipeg Solar Bears selected WR Markeith Ambles(Argonauts), OL Martez Ivey(Vipers), Andrew Tiller(Vipers), DL Miles Fox(Otters), Ricky Walker(Vipers), DB Desmond Lawrence(Defenders), Deatrick Nichols(Roughnecks)

London Crusaders selected WR Marcel Ateman(Las Vegas), OL Jaryd Jones-Smith(Commanders), LB Mike Rose(Greys), Tre Watson(Renegades), K Donny Hageman(Fleet)

Berlin Thunder selected RB Jacques Patrick(Vipers), WR Jalen Tolliver(Vipers), OL Malcolm Bunche(Defenders), DB Tenny Adewusi(Renegades), Kameron Kelly(Fleet) and Ranthony Texada(Alouettes)

Supplemental Draft

October 25, 2022

New York, NY -

Dallas Renegades selected TE Sal Cannella, OL Garrett McGhin, Cameron Hunt, Teton Saltes, DL Tomasi Laulile, LB Donald Payne, DB DeVante Bausby, P Marquette King
Atlanta Alphas selected RB Peyton Barber
Charlotte Battlehawks selected RB Tarik Cohen
San Antonio Commanders selected QB Josh Rosen, RB Devontae Booker, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
New York Guardians selected QB Kevin Hogan, RB Wayne Gallman, WR John Ross
Memphis Express selected QB Blake Bortles, RB Chris Carson, WR Tajae Sharpe
Seattle Dragons selected QB Ben DiNucci, RB Phillip Lindsay, WR Josh Gordon, OL Tejan Koroma, LB Shareef Miller, DB Alijah Holder
Houston Roughnecks selected OL Ryan Pope, John Yarbrough
San Diego Fleet selected RB Jalen Richard
Paris Musketeers selected QB Paxton Lynch, WR Lance Lenoir
Washington Defenders selected QB Jordan Ta'amu, OL Gunnar Vogel and Bruno Reagan, DL Davin Bellamy, LB Reggie Northrup,
Los Angeles Legends selected WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside
London Crusaders selected QB AJ McCarron, WR Darrius Shepherd, OL Vadal Alexander, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Dallas Warmack, DL Freedom Akinmoladun,
Las Vegas Vipers selected DL Destiny Vaeao and Cavon Walker, DB Jamar Summers
Berlin Thunder selected RB Kalen Ballage, OL Kai Absheer, Chidi Okeke, Maea Teuhema, DL Shakir Soto and Kamilo Tongamoa