According to a report by Roy S. Johnson from AL.com, Fox plans to invest $150 million over three years in the new USFL venture with The Spring League and its CEO Brian Woods.
“Fox Sports owns the league and has committed $150 million over three years to its operations. It’s also the league’s official broadcast partner.”
“Games would be broadcast on Fox Sports and NBC Sports, as well as other affiliated networks.”
When Vince McMahon first announced the return of the XFL in 2018, he sold $100 million worth of WWE stock to get the league off the ground. During that time, league CEO and commissioner Oliver Luck told ESPN.
“People were focused on the $100 million, but the truth is that doesn’t even get us to the 20-yard line.”
It was reported at the time McMahon was willing to spend $500 million over three years to get the XFL 2.0 running, but COVID cut all that short.
Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer stated that the XFL 2.0 spent around $200 million to get off the ground. Based on the bankruptcy filing, we heard reports that the league was not far off from profitability when they closed their doors.
In all, $50 million per season is not a lot, but having the USFL 2022 season in a hub city like Birmingham will save a ton of money for the new league. CEO Brian Woods has stated in the past that their approach will be slowly building the league. Rather than straight out the gate like the XFL and AAF did in the past.
Based on the FCF getting a broadcast deal with NBC and the USFL with its deal with Fox. It is only a matter of time for the XFL to join the group as well.
The XFL 2.0 era proved that there is a thirst for Spring Football in the US. This is clear by major broadcast partners getting on board with the USFL and FCF. The Spring League’s TV ratings in 2021, with little promotion, was considered a success. The question will be, who will be left standing in the next three years.
Joe Smith
October 15, 2021 at 4:35 am
Why can there only be one spring football league? What if this spring football league dynamic catches on and steals viewers from the NBA and Baseball? I cut the cord years ago so I don’t get much baseball and NBA – What if the USFL and XFL take TV market share from established leagues? Soccer fans watch soccer all year – why can’t football fans have a year round appetite for football given a good product in the spring and a place to find that content be it in one or two leagues?