Are you ready for some spring football? Fox Sports is, as they will be one of the TV homes of the revamped USFL, and apparently, NBC Sports is as well.
According to a report from Deadline, NBC and Fox have joined forces and will split the upcoming slate of games. It’s no surprise that with Fox taking the reins of the USFL, that a network like NBC got in the mix.
“Like Fox, NBC has a reputation for excellence in football production, and the exposure both companies have committed to the USFL, including a combined 20 games on broadcast television, will provide fans unprecedented access all season long,” Fox Sports CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks said. Shanks will also serve as the league’s Board of Directors chairman.
Eight games will air on NBC proper, while nine games will air on USA Network and four exclusively on Peacock. Meanwhile, 12 games will air on Fox, with 10 being broadcast on FS1.
Fox Sports controls the USFL through a company called USFL HoldCo, LLC. This iteration of the league is not affiliated in any way with the USFL of the 1980s.
However, all the team names from the 80s version of the league have been revived. The New Jersey Generals, Birmingham Stallions, New Orleans Breakers, Michigan Panthers, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers, Tampa Bay Bandits and Houston Gamblers will be split into north and south divisions.
The league will play the entire season in one city: Birmingham, AL. The full league schedule will be revealed soon. Play is expected to begin this April.