
The XFL and the USFL, the two latest attempts to create a spring football league, have teamed up and are launching the new United Football League, or UFL for short. This new combined effort brings the best teams and unique rules that have defined the two leagues in the hope to finally make spring football stick.
The XFL, which was originally founded in 2001, relaunched in 2020, and despite multiple starts and stops, completed its first full season in 2023. The USFL, meanwhile, officially began play in 2022 and had two full seasons before the merger. Both leagues drew some headlines and had TV deals, but together they hope they can become even more popular and satisfy fans’ need for football action while the NFL is in its offseason.