USFL Set to Return with Fox Sports as Broadcaster

It’s been 35 years, but the United States Football League is back.

The USFL announced on Thursday that it plans to return to the gridiron in the spring of 2022 with Fox Sports as its broadcast partner.

“It’s an alternative for some players rather than going to the NFL, and it’s an opportunity for others,” said former USFL and NFL quarterback Doug Flutie.

The USFL launched in 1983 and played its games over the summer rather than fall. 

It failed three years later after team owners overspent in search of success, ultimately losing $163 million. Fiscal highs and lows were commonplace for the league.

• Inked a two-year media rights deal, worth $30 million in 1983, with ABC and ESPN.
• Implemented a $6 million initiation fee for expansion franchises.
• Filed an antitrust suit against the NFL seeking $1.6 billion in damages, arguing a monopoly power in professional football, but was only awarded $1.

Despite its short life span, the USFL featured some of the best talent in football including Flutie, running back Herschel Walker, and quarterback Steve Young.

The first go-round of the USFL featured a minimum of 12 teams, but the league will now target a minimum of eight for the 2022 season.