The merged XFL-USFL spring football league will be known as the UFL -- the United Football League -- its partners confirmed Sunday.
Former XFL president/CEO Russ Brandon will hold the same title for the UFL, and former USFL president of football operations Daryl Johnston will lead the new league's football operations.
Further details will be announced at a later time, including the number of teams and the cities they will represent. But the UFL did confirm that its March 30 opener will be played between the leagues' 2023 champions: the Arlington Renegades (XFL) and Birmingham Stallions (USFL).
A news release listed five UFL "partners": the three XFL owners -- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital Partners -- USFL owner Fox Sports (represented by CEO Eric Shanks) and ESPN (represented by chairman Jimmy Pitaro). Disney/ESPN was the exclusive broadcast partner of the 2023 XFL season.
