The merged spring football league comprising USFL and XFL teams officially announced itself as the United Football League on Sunday and quickly followed with team market and coach announcements on Monday.
The league will consist of eight teams — four from each of the previous leagues — and the defending XFL champion Arlington Renegades will be among them.
The Renegades will be a part of the new league’s debut game, facing the two-time defending USFL champion Birmingham Stallions on Saturday, March 30.
The other teams in the league will be the Michigan Panthers (USFL), Houston Roughnecks (USFL), Memphis Showboats (USFL), D.C. Defenders (XFL), San Antonio Brahmas (XFL), and St. Louis Battlehawks. The eight teams will be split into two conferences: one of former XFL teams and one of former USFL teams.
“This new venture is possible because of a shared visionary mindset, a profound passion for the game, and first-hand experience living and creating the opportunities that football makes possible,” XFL co-owner Dany Garcia said in a press release. “As a unified spring league, we are able to deepen our commitment to unlocking and surpassing the dreams of our players, coaches, staff, and fans. This league represents continued legacy and evolution, and we look forward to building the universe of spring football.”
Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops is slated to return as the Renegades’ head coach, and all players will report to Arlington for training camp in late February.
Other coaches include Mike Nolan (Panthers), Curtis Johnson (Roughnecks), John DeFilippo (Showboats), Reggie Barlow (Defenders), Wade Phillips (Brahmas), Anthony Becht (Battlehawks), and Skip Holtz (Stallions).
Former USFL president of football operations and former Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston will oversee the league’s football operations, while former XFL president Russ Brandon has been named president of the UFL.
Games will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, FOX, and Fox Sports 1.