Photo: USFL/Twitter
The football landscape is changing once again.
On Thursday, FOX announced the return of the United States Football League, which attempted to compete against the NFL in the mid-1980s. The organization will resume operations in 2022, more than 30 years after it folded in 1985 only three seasons in.
“I’m extremely passionate about football and the opportunity to work with FOX Sports and to bring back the USFL in 2022 was an endeavor worth pursuing,” Brian Woods, co-founder of the new iteration of the USFL, said in astatement.
“We look forward to providing players a new opportunity to compete in a professional football league and giving fans everywhere the best football viewing product possible during what is typically a period devoid of professional football,” he added.
The new USFL will feature a minimum of eight teams and will premiere during the spring season.
“The relaunch of the USFL is a landmark day for football fans and FOX Sports,” Eric Shanks, CEO of FOX Sports, said. “Football is in our DNA and the return of this innovative and iconic league is a fantastic addition to our robust slate of football programming.”
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FOX, which will also own a minority stake in the league, did not expand on what cities may inherit a USFL team.
The league, which only lasted a single season in 2001, was restarted for a second time last year. But the return was short-lived —the league folded midway into its inaugural seasondue to the COVID-19 pandemic.
source: people.com
