Serious NFL Withdraw? Here’s Your Answer

Heading into its second season, the USFL is set to kick off on April 15th.

2022+USFL+MVP%2C+and+now+Dallas+Cowboy%2C+Kayvon+Turpin

2022 USFL MVP, and now Dallas Cowboy, Kayvon Turpin

Jack Meador, MHS Media Editor

Heading into its second season, the United States Football League (USFL) is set to kick off on April 15th.

The USFL saw some success in year one. While viewership went down 57% from week one to week two of the season, the league has had at least one game per-week that topped 1 million viewers.

NBC Sports Executive Jon Miller says the USFL was profitable for his network, “all things put together, I would say yes, it was a profitable property for us.”

The eight teams set to compete in year two are: Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, Houston Gamblers, Birmingham Stallions, and Memphis Showboats. The Generals and Stallions led their conferences respectively last season with both earning a 9-1 record.

Some of the USFL stars include former college football standouts Shea Patterson and Mark Thompson. Patterson is set to be the starting QB for the New Orleans Breakers, while Thompson is set to start at RB for the Houston Gamblers.

The USFL has a history of sending players to the NFL.

2022 USFL MVP Kayvon Turpin signed with the Cowboys where he spent 2022-2023 returning kicks and punts. In addition, defensive lineman Chris Odom signed with the Browns after leading the USFL with five defensive touchdowns and 12.5 sacks.

After a successful first season with semi-steady viewership, the USFL hopes to break out and staple itself as the second-best professional football league behind the NFL. Will you be watching?