2023 USFL season

The 2023 USFL season is the upcoming second season of the United States Football League.[1][2]

2023 USFL season
LeagueUnited States Football League
SportAmerican football
DurationApril 15 – July 1
Number of teams8
TV partner(s)Fox, FS1, NBC, Peacock, USA
2023 USFL Championship

Location
🌍
Map of venues used in the USFL
1
Protective Stadium
2
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
3
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
4
Ford Field

The league stated their intentions to expand the locations in which teams play, from one (Birmingham, Alabama) in the previous season, to two or four.[1] As of October 2022, the league had not yet committed to returning to Birmingham as one of the hubs.[3] In November, the league announced an agreement with Birmingham to continue hosting two of the league's eight teams in the city, the Stallions and the Breakers, at Protective Stadium.[4]

On November 15, 2022, the league announced that it had secured an agreement to play games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (formerly known as the Liberty Bowl) in Memphis, Tennessee.[5]

For the North Division, the league has contacted two stadiums in Michigan, Ford Field in Detroit and Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, as potential locations for a North Division hub, with the Panthers as the host team.[6] It was later reveled that Ford Field will be the home of the Michigan Panthers and Philadelphia Stars, while Rynearson Stadium will host the teams practices.[7][8]

On January 25, 2023, the league announced that the New Jersey Generals and the Pittsburgh Maulers (who will sport a new gold-and-black uniform color scheme to emphasize the team's Pittsburgh identity) will play their home games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, with the Generals as the host team.[9] The stadium will also be the site of both the North Division playoff game and the 2023 USFL Championship Game, as it was in 2022.

Teams

On November 15, 2022, in conjunction with its agreement to play at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the USFL announced that the Memphis Showboats would be replacing the Tampa Bay Bandits for the 2023 season.[5] The seven other teams in the league will return as they were in 2022.

Team[10] Head coach Hub city Home stadium
North Division
Michigan Panthers Mike Nolan Detroit, Michigan Ford Field
Philadelphia Stars Bart Andrus
New Jersey Generals Mike Riley Canton, Ohio Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
Pittsburgh Maulers Ray Horton
South Division
Birmingham Stallions Skip Holtz Birmingham, Alabama Protective Stadium
New Orleans Breakers John DeFilippo
Houston Gamblers Curtis Johnson Memphis, Tennessee Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Memphis Showboats Todd Haley

Players

For the 2023 season, each USFL team will start training camp with 58-men rosters, with mandatory cut down to 54 and then a last cut down to 50. The final rosters will be 40 active players and 10 inactive players on game days.[11] The league also started a partnership with HUB Football for the 2023 season for players tryouts.[12][13]

Compensation

On December 15, 2022, USFL player representatives (United Football Players Association and United Steelworkers[14]) and the league parent company FOX Sports tentatively agreed on a new three-year collective bargaining agreement starting at the 2023 season, six months after the league players voted to unionize. The proposed agreement increases minimum salaries and provides a stronger benefits package than they previously received, and slightly higher than most XFL salaries.[15] USFL players' minimum salaries will be $5,350 per week, up from the current $4,500 per week payout ($2,500 for inactive players) and $150 a week toward 401K contributions, while weekly performance bonuses will be cancelled. During training camp, all USFL players will get $850 a week.[16] The new deal also include a $400 per week housing stipend. For the first year of the CBA, the roster size will stay at 50 (40 active/10 inactive), while from the second year going forward the makeup changes to 42 active and 8 inactive plus a newly negotiated five-week injured reserve.[17] The proposed CBA includes an annual opt-out option. The agreement was approved by the union members on January 9, 2023.[18]

As of 2022 season, USFL players and staff are still able to receive a college degree "tuition-free and debt-free", through a partnership with for-profit universities Strategic Education's Capella University and Strayer University.[19]

Draft
See also: 2023 USFL Draft

The 10-round 2023 USFL College Draft took place on February 21, 2023 while draft pool included over 3,000 eligible players. The first overall pick was decided by the winner of the Week 10 game between the 1–8 Pittsburgh Maulers and 1–8 Michigan Panthers, would win the first overall pick. The Panthers were victorious 33–21.[20] The New Jersey Generals had their 1st round selection moved to the last pick in the draft and their rounds 2 to 5 picks were penalized due to "a violation of offseason roster management rules".[11] Michigan State offensive lineman Jarrett Horst was the first overall pick.[21]

Player movement

Transactions[22]

  • On January 27, it was reported that former NFL first-round pick linebacker Reuben Foster signed with the Pittsburgh Maulers.[23][24]
  • On February 8 the Showboats signed quarterback Ryan Willis after he was released from the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks.[25]
  • On February 20 the Stars inked former NFL first-round pick, receiver Corey Coleman.[27]


Coaching changes

On March 15, all teams announced their coaching staffs for the upcoming season.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]

Team Departing coach Incoming coach Reason for leaving Notes
Michigan Panthers Jeff Fisher Mike Nolan Resigned Fisher compiled a record of 2-8 (.200) in his lone season as head coach. His replacement was announced February 2, 2023, for what the league described as "personal reasons."[37]

Nolan, who had previously been head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 to 2008, had most recently been defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.

New Orleans Breakers Larry Fedora John DeFilippo Resigned Fedora compiled a record of 6–4 (.600) in his lone season as head coach, losing his lone playoff game. He resigned on September 15, 2022, stating he would not return to the USFL unless all of its teams played in their home markets.[38]

DeFilippo had spent the previous two seasons as quarterbacks coach of the Chicago Bears. This is his first head coaching position.

Pittsburgh Maulers Kirby Wilson Ray Horton Resigned Wilson compiled a record of 1-9 (.100) in his only season as head coach. His replacement was announced January 17, 2023, for what the league described as "personal reasons."[39]

Horton, who had been an NFL assistant coach from 1994 to 2019, is in his first head coaching position. His son Jarren Horton was the Maulers' defensive coordinator in 2022.

Houston Gamblers Kevin Sumlin Curtis Johnson Resigned Sumlin went 3–7 (.300) in his only season as the head coach for the Gamblers. He had already indicated his intentions to leave in fall 2022 but did not make it public nor official until accepting the associate head coach position for the Maryland Terrapins football team on February 14, 2023.[40]

Johnson won the 2001 national championship as the wide recivers coach with Miami as well as Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints. Johnson also spent 4 seasons as the head coach of Tulane where he compiled a 15–33 record (.313).

Rule changes

For the 2023 season the league intend to change the clock stopping rules, so every game will be played in a three-hour window, while kickoffs will be from the 20-yard line.[41]

Standings
North Division
# W L PCT GB DIV PF PA STK
1 Michigan Panthers 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
2 New Jersey Generals 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
3 Philadelphia Stars 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
4 Pittsburgh Maulers 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
South Division
# W L PCT GB DIV PF PA STK
1 Birmingham Stallions 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
2 Houston Gamblers 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
3 Memphis Showboats 0 0 – 0–0 0 0
4 New Orleans Breakers 0 0 – 0–0 0 0

Season structure

Preseason

Training camp started on March 21 in each team specific hub, a day later than what they had scheduled last year.[42][43]

Regular season

The league announced that they are keeping their same scheduling format, with the regular season starting in April and ending in June, with playoffs extending through to early July. The schedule was released on February 7, 2023, announcing April 15th as the opening day for the season. [1]

Season schedule

All games produced by NBC Sports will stream on Peacock unless otherwise noted. Viewership figures for streaming platforms are released four weeks after the event, all times listed are in ET.

Week 1
Week 1
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
April 15 4:30 p.m. Philadelphia Stars Memphis Showboats Fox
7:30 p.m. New Jersey Generals Birmingham Stallions Fox
April 16 12:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers Houston Gamblers NBC
6:30 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers New Orleans Breakers FS1

Week 2
Week 2
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
April 22 12:30 p.m. Houston Gamblers New Orleans Breakers USA
7:00 p.m. Memphis Showboats Birmingham Stallions Fox
April 23 12:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals Pittsburgh Maulers NBC
7:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers Philadelphia Stars FS1

Week 3
Week 3
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
April 29 12:30 p.m. New Orleans Breakers Birmingham Stallions USA
7:00 p.m. Memphis Showboats Houston Gamblers Fox
April 30 12:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers Philadelphia Stars NBC
4:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals Michigan Panthers Fox

Week 4
Week 4
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
May 6 1:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers Philadelphia Stars Fox
7:30 p.m. Memphis Showboats Michigan Panthers NBC
May 7 3:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers New Jersey Generals NBC
6:30 p.m. Birmingham Stallions Pittsburgh Maulers FS1

Week 5
Week 5
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
May 13 12:30 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers Michigan Panthers USA
4:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers Birmingham Stallions Fox
May 14 12:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals Philadelphia Stars NBC
3:00 p.m. Memphis Showboats New Orleans Breakers Fox

Week 6
Week 6
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
May 20 12:30 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers Memphis Showboats USA
4:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions Michigan Panthers Fox
May 21 12:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers Philadelphia Stars FS1
4:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals Houston Gamblers Fox

Week 7
Week 7
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
May 27 4:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions New Orleans Breakers Fox
9:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars Pittsburgh Maulers FS1
May 28 2:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers Memphis Showboats USA
5:30 p.m. Michigan Panthers New Jersey Generals FS1

Week 8
Week 8
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
June 3 12:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers Pittsburgh Maulers USA
3:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars Birmingham Stallions NBC
June 4 1:00 p.m. Memphis Showboats New Jersey Generals Fox
4:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers New Orleans Breakers Fox

Week 9
Week 9
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
June 10 12:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers Pittsburgh Maulers Fox
3:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers Memphis Showboats NBC
June 11 2:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions Houston Gamblers NBC
7:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars New Jersey Generals Fox

Week 10
Week 10
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
June 17 1:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers New Jersey Generals USA
4:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions Memphis Showboats Fox
June 18 4:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers Houston Gamblers FS1
7:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars Michigan Panthers Fox

Playoffs

The playoffs will start on June 24 and will end with the championship game on July 1. The USFL Championship Game is scheduled to be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Division Finals
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
June 24 8:00 p.m. South Division runner up South Division winner NBC
June 25 7:00 p.m. North Division runner up North Division winner Fox
USFL Championship
Date Time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Attendance Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)		 Rating
July 1 8:00 p.m. South Division game Champions North Division game Champions NBC

Reference:[44]

League finances

After the 2022 season, Fox Sports had hired investment bank Allen & Company to find minority investors to help fund the league's expansion into local markets, with a plan to raise between $150 million and $200 million.[45]

For the 2023 regular season ticket prices will range from $25 to $120.[46]

Media

Telecasts for the 2023 season will be produced by Fox Sports and NBC Sports, in all Fox will still broadcast the most games with 17 regular season games and 1 semi-final, NBC will broadcast 9 regular season games, 1 semi-final and the Championship game. Peacock will continue simulcast all NBC games but no longer have exclusive regular season games. Other games air on Cable networks USA Network and FS1 (7 games each).

Both Fox Sports and NBC Sports are making two moves in an effort to increase the league's exposure for this season:

  • All games will be presented on linear outlets Fox, FS1, NBC, or USA Network; Peacock will stream all NBC broadcasts, but unlike 2022 will not carry any games exclusively.
  • An emphasis will be made on having high-profile events serve as lead-ins to the league mostly on broadcast television, with some games following NASCAR and Major League Baseball broadcasts on Fox or the Kentucky Derby on NBC (with 29 games including playoffs will be airing on broadcast television).[47]

Fox will likely bring back its lead XFL broadcast team from 2020, Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt, for USFL coverage.[48] Kevin Kugler and Mark Sanchez serve as the second broadcast team. Brock Huard reports from the sidelines during selected games.[49]

The NBC crew features Jac Collinsworth and Paul Burmeister handling play-by-play duties alongside analysts Jason Garrett, Michael Robinson and Cameron Jordan. Zora Stephenson and Corey Robinson are sideline reporters and Sara Perlman hosts halftime and post-game coverage.[50]

See also

References
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  2. Young, RJ (July 7, 2022). "USFL'S INAUGURAL SEASON WAS A TRIUMPH, AND IT RETURNS IN 2023". foxsports.com. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  3. Johnson, Roy S. (2022-10-12). "USFL Effect: Did $3 million city, county, CVB pay off? Will league return to Birmingham?". al. Retrieved 2022-10-14.
  4. Johnson, Roy S. (2022-11-14). "USFL reveals season 2 details for Birmingham". al. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  5. Davis, Corey (November 15, 2022). "Local leaders: Why USFL Memphis Showboats' return could boost Memphis' economy". American City Business Journals. Retrieved 2022-11-16.
  6. "USFL explores Metro Detroit hub for 2023; Eastern Michigan has been contacted". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2022-12-13.
  7. "USFL's Michigan Panthers will play at Ford Field in 2023; EMU may host practices". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  8. "'Too good an opportunity': USFL explains move to Detroit, Ford Field". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-01-26.
  9. Bona, Marc (2023-01-25). "USFL switches format, includes Canton as hub for 2023 season". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  10. Pickman, Ben (November 22, 2021). "USFL Unveils Logos, Team Names Ahead of Return Season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  11. "2023 USFL Draft: Everything You Need to Know". OurSportsCentral.
  12. "USFL inks scouting data partnership with HUB Football". si.com. October 13, 2022.
  13. "USFL Holds Tryouts Hosted in Partnership with HUB Football".
  14. "USW: USFL Players Choose Union Representation".
  15. "Pro Football Players Reaping The Benefits Of The XFL And USFL". xflnewshub.com. February 12, 2023.
  16. "USFL, FOX Sports Reach New CBA Rivaling XFL Compensation". sportico.com. 2022-12-15. Retrieved 2022-12-15.
  17. "USFL CBA Ratification Vote Set for January 9th". usflnewsroom.com. 2023-01-07. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  18. "USFL Players Ratify First Contract with United Steelworkers".
  19. Rachuk, Stephan (January 7, 2023). "USFL CBA Ratification Vote Set for January 9th". usflnewsroom.com.
  20. Jeff Kerr (June 19, 2022). "USFL Week 10 takeaways: Panthers earn first pick in 2023 draft by winning matchup of two worst teams". www.cbssports.com. CBS Sports Interactive. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  21. "First Round Completed at 2023 USFL Draft". OurSportsCentral.
  22. "USFL Transactions - Last 4 Weeks". The Football Database.
  23. "Reuben Foster to attempt comeback in the USFL". profootballtalk.com.
  24. Kozora, Alex (2023-01-27). "Rapoport: Former 1st Round Pick LB Reuben Foster Signing With USFL Pittsburgh Maulers". Steelers Depot. Retrieved 2023-04-02.
  25. "QB Ryan Willis Jumps on Ship, Joins the Showboats after Battlehawks Release". usflnewshub.com.
  26. "Cookus is Back in the USFL Kitchen for 2023, QB Case Cookus Returns To Stars". usflnewshub.com.
  27. "Philadelphia Stars Ink Former NFL First-Round Pick WR Corey Coleman". usflnewshub.com.
  28. "CFL: McLeod Bethel Thompson Signs With The USFL's New Orleans Breakers". cflnewshub.com.
  29. "USFL: New Jersey Generals Announce 2023 Coaching Staff, TV Schedule, Add CFL QB As Training Camp Approaches". usflnewshub.com.
  30. "Michigan Panthers Announce 2023 Coaching Staff". usflnewshub.com.
  31. "Houston Gamblers Announce 2023 Coaching Staff". usflnewshub.com.
  32. "Birmingham Stallions Announce Coaching Staff for 2023 Season". usflnewshub.com.
  33. New Orleans Breakers [@USFLBreakers] (March 15, 2023). "Breaking: Our official coaching staff for the 2023 season 🌊🌊🌊 t.co/WMNIAmHlPj" (Tweet). Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
  34. Pittsburgh Maulers [@USFLMaulers] (March 15, 2023). "🔨🔨🔨 Announcing our coaching staff for the 2023 season 💪 t.co/v8ul2FDhkV" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
  35. Philadelphia Stars [@USFLStars] (March 15, 2023). "We've got an all-star team of coaches on our side 🌟🤩 Introducing our coaching staff for the 2023 season ⬇️ t.co/Vjt0k5WLcr" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
  36. Memphis Showboats [@USFLShowboats] (March 15, 2023). "The coaching staff behind the best show in town 🤩🚤 Introducing our coaching staff for the 2023 season: t.co/f5DbqkyO87" (Tweet). Retrieved March 20, 2023 – via Twitter.
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  38. "Breakers head coach Larry Fedora stepping away from position, USFL says". WGNO. 2022-09-15. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  39. Adamski, Chris (2023-01-17). "Former Steelers Super Bowl assistant Ray Horton takes over as USFL Maulers head coach". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 2023-01-17.
  40. WALKER, ROD. "Curtis Johnson, a former Saints' assistant, relishes opportunity as head coach in USFL". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  41. "Changes Coming to USFL Rules & Officiating in 2023". usflnewshub.com. February 7, 2023.
  42. "USFL Releases Training Camp And Onboarding Dates for 2023 Season". usflnewshub.com. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  43. "USFL 2023: Key Players to Know as Training Camps Get Underway". oursportscentral.com.
  44. "USFL SCHEDULE: FULL 2023 WEEK-BY-WEEK MATCHUPS". www.theusfl.com. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
  45. "Fox's USFL seeking outside investor to help fund expansion: sources". NY Post.
  46. ""Best Value in Professional Sports" - USFL Announces 2023 Ticket Prices". USFL Newsroom. 2022-02-22.
  47. "USFL adding new broadcast windows, programming," from Sports Business Journal, 3/13/2023
  48. Ourand, John (April 4, 2022). "SBJ Media: Fox Sports decides on its top USFL booth". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
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  50. "NBC Sports Announces Commentators for Inaugural USFL Season". NBC Sports Pressbox. 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
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