XFL-USFL Merger Could Drop Teams, Change League Name

If the merger finalizes, the XFL and USFL merger might only include some of the 16 franchises in the combined league.

The XFL and USFL each played with eight teams last season, but journalist James Larsen writes, “Regarding a USFL-XFL merger, it is likely that we do not see all 16 teams in action, per source. Hearing that organizations without venues currently secured are in hot water.”

Larsen, a spring football insider for the outlets USFL Newsroom and XFL Newsroom, adds that the leagues are pursuing a new league name as part of their merger discussions that would include a newly launched logo and brand for the combined league. 

Axios reported Tuesday that the XFL and USFL expected to merge before their 2024 season kickoffs. The discussed deal would likely see Fox and Disney split the broadcasting rights of the combined league. Fox Corp owns and broadcasts the USFL, while the XFL is owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners, with games shown on ESPN, ESPN+, and ABC.  

A combined league would likely shrink to 10-12 teams, according to Larsen.

XFL insider Michael Lathrop lists the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks and Vegas Vipers as well as the USFL’s Houston Gamblers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers as teams that face uncertain futures and could be left out of the potential merger.