I was about to enter a Wawa to use my free birthday drink coupon* when the UFL app sent a welcome notification about expansion in 2028. Repole's regime has been a flurry of activity and promises and he delivered on a major interest: expansion. The previous owners have talked about expansion in a hypothetical way - in the way parents put off kids' inquiries with vague promises to shut them up.
This announcement of a confirmed city solidifies that the UFL has a long-term future. Cynicism about spring football is completely understandable. Leagues have come and gone like baseball cards. The AAF in 2019 started the rebirth in the sport and after Week 8 died. The 2020 XFL was the last league that generated large amounts of nationwide excitement. When COVID killed off Vince's second try at professional football, the sphere felt empty.
USFL 2.0 launched in 2022 and the hub system, while financially prudent, lent an appearance of COVID-restrictions or intrasquad scrimmages. The football was solid; no rival league to split talent, but the lack of fans for non-Birmingham games allowed drone noise to dominant.
XFL 3.0 arrived the next year and the Battlehawks' fan base supplied an excitement of legitimacy. The USFL increased to three hubs but too many games still only featured family and friends in the stands. 16 teams split the shallow talent pool and the XFL's emphasis on celebrity coaches generated horrific results.
A merger was needed. While eight teams felt too low - 12 might have satisfied the core spring fan base - it was a financially acceptable move. 2024 & 2025 UFL seasons weren't terrible but they lacked the freshness of previous editions. Momentum has slowed to a crawl and several markets, like Memphis, were zombies.
Enter Repole. The man immediately tweeted into the spring football circles and got people talking. Brashness is a powerful force. Many of America's best generals - Anthony Wayne, Andrew Jackson, George Patton - rumbled into the arena and got tongues talking. Love or hate his social media tactics, folks are talking about the UFL. More importantly, he is listening to fans. That matters.
Oklahoma City isn't the sexy west coast team that thousands of expansion posts on Reddit crave. Neither is the spot an Eastern metropolis but the city does watch the UFL. Shoring up the base is always a good move. Oklahoma City supports the UFL. Reciprocating support matters.
Bring on 2028!
Team Name Suggestions
Outlaws - Historical USFL name. Ties to history legitimates spring football and alliteration is always fun.
Scissortails - The majestic state bird and unlike Eagles, Cardinals, and other birds, the moniker would be original. Plus, the hashtag can be #ClipClip!
Toby Keiths - RIP. Keith played football and, if you have to think if he wasn't tragically struck down, he would have invested in the league. Maybe the fan club can take the moniker? Miss you, Toby!
Wildcatters - Oklahoma oil has fueled the nation - Conoco and Phillips 66 - and wildcatters were tough, gritty men.
*I created a Barq's root beer dirty soda with Wawa's Irish Cream. Highly recommended.
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