Much remains to be learned about the combined XFL-USFL. Two major facts emerged on Thursday.
First, via Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal, federal regulators have approved the merger of the two spring football leagues. Second, the combined league will debut on March 30.
Fischer also reports that XFL CEO Russ Brandon will serve as the top executive of the new venture.
“We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30,” the two leagues said in a statement. “We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks.”
It’s not known how many teams will participate in the combined league. They had eight teams each.
The USFL, which re-launched in 2021, is owned by Fox Sports. The XFL, which was purchased by RedBird Capital Partners, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Dany Garcia from Vince McMahon out of bankruptcy following the aborted 2020 campaign, played a full season in 2022.
