So apparently there's a labor dispute between the UFL and UFPA? I didn't even know the UFL players had a union but they joined the UFPA back in October. The union was formed in 2020 as a way to represent players in the various spring leagues and keep them from getting fucked over when a league suddenly shuts down. So naturally they're demanding that the UFL increase the players' salaries from $55,000/yr or provide them with year-round healthcare. Unsurprisingly, the league said no to that considering they're not even making money with this.
I honestly don't blame the league for balking at the UFPA's demands considering stadiums outside of St. Louis are half to mostly empty for games and they only cracked a million viewers a handful of times. Yes, FOX can afford to give them what they want, but that investment is not worth it from a business standpoint. If it wasn't for the UFL, these guys would be playing in the NAL or Austria for far less money. This league isn't meant for making millions of dollars, it's for playing for the love of the game and showing the NFL that you belong on a active roster instead of the practice squad. If they want to be petty, they could just kill the league and show reruns.
THE GAMES
St. Louis Battlehawks 28
Houston Gamblers 10
The 2025 UFL season kicks off with Friday night football on FOX. Since kicking WWE Smackdown off their network last year, they filled that void with college football and basketball games. Now they will do the same with UFL games starting off with St. Louis and Houston. Like with the past times I covered spring football, my picks are based on who I actually heard of. It makes sense since these guys are largely practice squad players and free agents.
As for the team makeup, A.J McCarron is gone because Battlehawks coach Anthony Becht wanted to give shine to new QBs. Those new QBs are a returning Manny Wilkins, Chevan Cordeiro (who?) and TCU QB Max Duggan who got his cheeks clapped by Georgia. Yikes! As for the Gamblers, Chris Blewitt is the only person on this roster I heard of...and he's a kicker...who doesn't have a picture. So yeah, I don't see either of these teams winning shit.
San Antonio Brahmas 27
Arlington Renegades 13
The Brahmas improved dramatically from their 1st year with the addition of Wade Phillips as coach. The Rock's namesake team made it to the UFL championship game where they got shutout by the Stallions. Donald De La Haye returns as their kicker after Deestroying his neck on a tackle because he didn't watch the Heads Up Football ads I guess. Also returning is QB Kevin Hogan and he's joined by former Viking Kellen Mond and former Roughneck Jarrett Guarantano. Their offense still doesn't scare me but their defense should lockdown opponents like last year.
Spring football legend QB Luis Perez is back for another year with the Renegades. I have no idea who the hell his backups are so I'm not gonna bother naming them. Also returning is athletic punter Marquette King and pizza lover RB De'Veon Smith. You would think a returning player would have a headshot but I guess I should be grateful that players have profiles now. Head coach Bob Stoops and O-Line coach Johnathan Himebauch are back too so good for them.
Michigan Panthers 15
Memphis Showboats 7
The Panthers lost their star kicker Jake Bates to the Lions so in his place is...Chris Blewitt? What? The season haven't even begun and the UFL is already fucking up. No wonder they're going on with the season even though they're in a labor dispute. Danny Etling is back at QB which I don't care about as coach Mike Nolan takes another crack at the championship.
Just days before starting his second season coaching the Showboats, Ken Whisenhunt took a leave of absence for personal reasons. That could mean anything, so we probably won't see him return. In the meantime, O-Line coach Jim Turner will be the interim head coach. As for the roster, it looks like a mess as QB Case Cookus is gone. Hell, they still have Quinten Dormady listed as a QB even though he was allegedly cut for his involvement with the labor dispute.
Birmingham Stallions 35
DC Defenders 24
We close out this 3-day opening weekend with the Stallions kicking off their quest for a 4 peat against the Defenders. They will have to do it without MVP QB Adrian Martinez who parlayed his success to a spot on the Jets roster. Lucky for them, 2 time champ Alex McGough has returned to the squad! He will have a returning Matt Corral along with Case Cookus by his side to do what the Chiefs could only dream of. Can anyone stop Skip Holtz's crew from destiny?
Don't count on the Defenders to do it. Hell, they lost their coach as Reggie Barlow fucked off to a Tennessee State gig after Eddie George ditched them to coach at Bowling Green. So now it's QB coach Shannon Harris' job to turn this program around that was rife with bad defense and even worse offensive line play. Hopefully they will protect Jordan Ta'amu better this year because he had no help last season. Also, hopefully Jordan cut down on the crushing INTs.
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