XFL, USFL announce plans to merge

The XFL and United States Football League sent out press releases Thursday announcing their intentions to merge into one spring league.

"The new league will establish best-in-class operations atop the foundation built over the USFL and XFL's most recent seasons, cementing the future of professional spring football, and further enhance the development of its players, coaches, and staff," the USFL release said.

"We are extremely proud of what we have built over the past two seasons. We have shown that the professional spring football model can work - and, in many ways, have done what many football and business minds thought was impossible."

The merger still requires regulatory approvals for the transaction to be consummated, and more details on the merger will be released at a later date.

Earlier this week, the USFL filed for 22 trademarks that revealed "National Spring Football League" as a potential new name, according to Front Office Sports.

The XFL relaunched for a 2020 season after a 19-year hiatus. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to cancel the end of the season. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson purchased the league from Vince McMahon in August 2020 for $15 million.

The XFL returned to action in 2023 with eight teams competing. The Arlington Renegades defeated the DC Defenders in the championship game.

The USFL made a comeback in 2022 after the league disintegrated in 1985, with eight teams competing over the last two years.

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