Pro Football Rumors
2026 will mark the third consecutive year of operation for the United Football League. Changes with respect to some of the league’s markets will be in place by the time the campaign begins.
Entrepreneur and co-founder of the likes of Vitaminwater, Smartwater and BodyArmor Mike Repole has joined the UFL’s investment group. He is now in control of the league’s business operations. Repole spoke about his intentions in an interview with ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
Ahead of the 2026 season, at least two teams – and as many as four – will be based out of a different market. It is not yet clear which markets will be departing the league, but Repole noted Columbus will be among the new ones. The UFL will remain at eight teams for the coming season. If his vision for the league is fulfilled, though, that number will grow considerably. Repole aims for the UFL to have 10-12 teams within the next five years and 16 within the next decade.
“We’re going to be aggressive as far as being nimble and scrappy and gritty and making aggressive moves,” Repole said. “If by 2035, if we can’t have 16 teams, I’m going to consider it a personal failure. This is it. Other leagues didn’t have the capital that this league has, didn’t have the media giants that this league has, didn’t have the entrepreneurs that this team has.”
Investment from the likes of RedBird Capital along with league co-owners Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, and broadcast partnerships with ESPN and FOX have allowed the UFL to operate so far. Repole rightfully noted that – with the exception of the St. Louis Battlehawks – attendance represents a key issue. St. Louis has averaged roughly 30,000 fans per home game, but that figure ranges from 5,000-12,000 on average for the UFL’s other markets. Relocation will be aimed at raising attendance levels while expansion receives consideration.
The UFL recently trademarked four team names which date back to the original USFL: the Oakland Invaders, the Philadelphia Stars, the New Jersey Generals and the Tampa Bay Bandits. Once more information about the upcoming changes becomes available, it would come as no surprise if one or more of those locations were to become new markets for a franchise.
