Wikipedia

2022 USFL season

The 2022 USFL season was the inaugural season of the United States Football League, and the first season of a league using that name since 1985. The season began on April 16 and concluded on July 3. The league's eight teams represent various geographical locales and associated team names that were part of the 1984 season of the original USFL. For 2022, all regular-season games were played in Birmingham, Alabama, at Protective Stadium (Weeks 1–7, 9) and at Legion Field (Weeks 8 & 10).

2022 USFL season
LeagueUnited States Football League
SportAmerican football
DurationRegular season:
April 16 – June 19
Playoffs:
June 25 – July 3
Number of games43 (40 regular-season games, 3 postseason games)
Number of teams8
TV partner(s)Fox, FS1, NBC, Peacock, USA
Season MVPKaVontae Turpin
North championsPhiladelphia Stars
  North runners-upNew Jersey Generals
South championsBirmingham Stallions
  South runners-upNew Orleans Breakers
2022 USFL Championship
VenueTom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
ChampionsBirmingham Stallions
  Runners-upPhiladelphia Stars
Finals MVPVictor Bolden Jr.
Seasons
2023 →

The USFL played its postseason games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The Birmingham Stallions won the USFL Championship game against the Philadelphia Stars on July 3.

Background

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On June 3, 2021, The Spring League founder Brian Woods announced that he had acquired the remaining extant trademarks of the United States Football League with intent of launching a USFL-branded league in 2022, with Fox Sports remaining as a partner in the new USFL.[1] What was to become of The Spring League remained, at the time, an unresolved question, but according to the initial announcement TSL was to continue,[2] probably as a scouting showcase or developmental operation. It was later reported that TSL in no longer associated with the new USFL,[3] and Woods would later state that TSL was "no longer operational."[4]

On October 12, 2021, Tad Snider, the executive director of the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority, announced that the league was in serious discussions with the board of directors of the BJCC about the possibility of the USFL playing all of its games in Birmingham, Alabama. According to initial information, USFL players/staff would be housed in Birmingham during the season for an estimated economic impact of about $15 million (47,000 hotel nights), while the league would play the bubble season at Protective Stadium and Legion Field.[5][6][7] It was speculated that the "bubble" setup would possibly continue in the league's second year, with as many as four teams playing in Birmingham and as many as four in their respective cities. The teams would then be expected to play in their own cities by Season 3.[8]

The proposal included an eight-team 10-week season with two additional playoff rounds, from April 16 through July 3, 2022, with the broadcast proposal as follows: 25% each on Fox, NBC, FS1 and USA. Later on December 15, 2021, Fox and NBC had finalized their agreement. NBC announced that it would air nine games on NBC itself, eight on USA, and four on its streaming service Peacock.[9][10][11]

Location

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800km
500miles
3
2
1
Map of venues used in the USFL
1
Protective Stadium (Birmingham AL)
2
Legion Field (Birmingham AL)
3
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton OH)

The city of Birmingham and the USFL announced that the city would host all eight teams. The regular-season games would be played at Protective Stadium and Legion Field.[12]

The choice of Birmingham as the league's sole city led to substantial crowds for the Birmingham Stallions and to very small crowds for games involving only teams named after other cities and states. The opening-week matchup between the Tampa Bay Bandits and Pittsburgh Maulers, rescheduled to Monday night, was played in an almost entirely empty stadium.[13] USA Today reported that during the Week 2 matchup between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, crowd shots included more Fox broadcast staff members than fans.[14]

On February 16, 2022, the league announced that the 2022 playoffs would be held in Canton, Ohio, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium instead of Birmingham due to schedule conflicts with the 2022 World Games. Playoffs were held on June 25 and July 3.[15]

Teams

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The eight teams competing in the USFL's 2022 season all feature the names and colors of USFL teams that existed in 1984.[16] During the 2022 season, all regular-season games were held at Protective Stadium (Week 1–7, 9) and Legion Field (Week 8 & 10) in Birmingham, Alabama.[12][17]

Team[18] Head coach
North Division
Michigan Panthers Jeff Fisher
New Jersey Generals Mike Riley
Philadelphia Stars Bart Andrus
Pittsburgh Maulers Kirby Wilson
South Division
Birmingham Stallions Skip Holtz
Houston Gamblers Kevin Sumlin
New Orleans Breakers Larry Fedora
Tampa Bay Bandits Todd Haley

Players

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For the 2022 season, all eight carried a 38-man active roster and a seven-man practice squad (45 total).[19] After week 5 the league announced they'll expands game-day rosters by two, total rosters by five (40/10).[20] Contrary to other leagues, since injured players did not get paid, they were released after they got injured instead of reverting to "injured reserve list".[21]

In May, 2022 the organization contacted players from the newly formed USFL in attempt unionize,[22] with a petition to represent the approximately 360 USFL players was later filed at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).[23] The UFPA would later join forces with the United Steelworkers as the players union representation on behalf the USFL players.[24][25]

Compensation

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USFL players and staff will be able to receive a college degree "tuition-free and debt-free", through a partnership with for-profit universities Strategic Education's Capella University and Strayer University. They will be able to take classes online or in-person.[26]

USFL players receive weekly salaries of $4,500 for active roster players, $1,500 for practice squad players, and $600 during training camp, while injured players did not get paid. Players also receive bonuses of $850 per regular-season or postseason win and $10,000 for winning the championship.[27][28] Players had to cover their own housing costs, but the league offered hotel rooms at a discounted price of $75 per room per day, with an option for two players to share a room.[29]

Draft

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See also: 2022 USFL draft

The 2022 USFL draft occurred on February 22 and 23, 2022, and had a format similar to the 2020 XFL draft, where players were selected in phases based on positions.[30] Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson was the first overall pick by the Michigan Panthers.

Player movement

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Transactions[31][32]

The USFL has instituted a standard professional football system where players who are cut by a team will be put on waivers for 24 hours. During this period, a player can be claimed by any other team. After the third regular-season game, the League based its waiver priority on inverse league standings. Players clearing waivers with no claim were released, no longer be under USFL contract, and became free agents.[33]

  • On April 1, New Jersey Generals first round draft pick Ben Holmes 2022 due to a toe injury and replaced by Luis Perez.[34]
  • On May 26, quarterback Shea Patterson was released by Michigan and claimed by New Orleans.[35]
  • On May 28, quarterback KJ Costello Stanford signed a contract with Philadelphia Stars.[36]
  • On June 2, Houston Gamblers starting quarterback Clayton Thorson was placed on the inactive list after suffering an elbow injury.[37]

Standings

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North Division
#
W L PCT GB DIV PF PA STK
1 (y) New Jersey Generals 9 1 .900 - 6–0 232 182 W9
2 (x) Philadelphia Stars 6 4 .600 3 4–2 262 243 L1
3 (e) Michigan Panthers 2 8 .200 7 2–4 211 236 W1
4 (e) Pittsburgh Maulers 1 9 .100 8 0–6 147 243 L5
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched division; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention
South Division
#
W L PCT GB DIV PF PA STK
1 (y) Birmingham Stallions 9 1 .900 - 5–1 234 169 W1
2 (x) New Orleans Breakers 6 4 .600 3 3–3 196 164 L1
3 (e) Tampa Bay Bandits 4 6 .400 5 2–4 162 195 L2
4 (e) Houston Gamblers 3 7 .300 6 2–4 196 208 W2
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched division; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Season schedule

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The league announced in November 2021 that teams would each play a ten-game schedule, with each team facing divisional opponents twice and non-divisional opponents once. The champion and runner-up of each division will qualify for the playoffs, which will consist of two semifinal games played on June 25 and a championship game played on July 3.[38] Most games were played on Saturdays and Sundays, with some "special broadcasts" on Fridays.[39] On January 6, 2022, the league announced on its website that the season would begin on April 16.[40]

The full 2022 season schedule was released March 7, 2022, with the highlights including a then-planned tripleheader of Week 1 games on Easter Sunday.[41][42][43]

Regular season

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All games at Protective Stadium during Weeks 1–7 and 9, and at Legion Field during weeks 8 and 10. All times listed are ET. All games on NBC are simulcast on Peacock.

Changes to game schedules or broadcasting are listed in notes after each week's matchups.

All matchups will be officially announced by the league no later than 2 weeks ahead of game time and may be flexed from cable to broadcast if needed.

The playoff bracket was set after the Week 9 contests, rendering Week 10's games to be effectively exhibition games. In an effort to avoid tanking, the USFL declared that the two lowest-ranked teams—both coincidentally set to play each other that day—would be playing for the rights to the first overall pick in the 2023 USFL draft, with the winner receiving that selection.[44]

Week 1

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Week 1
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[45] 		Rating
[46][47]
April 16, 7:30 p.m. New Jersey Generals 24–28 Birmingham Stallions Fox and NBC 3.07 1.8 [48][49][50]
April 17, 12:50 p.m. Houston Gamblers 17–12 Michigan Panthers NBC[W1 1] 2.15 1.1 [49][51]
April 17, 5:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars 17–23 New Orleans Breakers USA[W1 2] 0.77 0.4 [49][52]
April 18, 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits 17–3 Pittsburgh Maulers FS1[W1 3] 0.27 0.2 [53]
  1. ^ Game originally scheduled for 12 pm ET start but delayed due to weather.
  2. ^ Game originally scheduled for 4 pm ET start but delayed due to earlier game being delayed.
  3. ^ Game originally scheduled for 8 pm ET start on April 17 but rescheduled to April 18 due to earlier game delays and weather risk.

Week 2

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Week 2
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[54] 		Rating
[47]
April 22, 8:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers 6–10 New Jersey Generals USA 0.36 0.2 [55][56]
April 23, 12:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers 23–30 Philadelphia Stars Fox 1.06 0.7 [57][58]
April 23, 7:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions 33–28 Houston Gamblers FS1[W2 1] 0.42 0.2 [59]
April 24, 3:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers 34–3 Tampa Bay Bandits NBC 0.81 0.5 [60]
  1. ^ Game started on FS2 due to MLB coverage on FS1.

Week 3

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Week 3
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[61] 		Rating
[62]
April 30, 4:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits 27–26 Houston Gamblers Fox 0.83 0.5 [63][64]
April 30, 8:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions 22–13 New Orleans Breakers Fox[W3 1] 1.11 0.7 [65][66]
May 1, 2:30 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers 0–24 Michigan Panthers USA[W3 1] 0.29 0.2 [67][68]
May 1, 8:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals 24–16 Philadelphia Stars Peacock N/A [69][70]
  1. ^ a b The Stallions–Breakers game was moved to Saturday night (with coverage by Fox) with a corresponding move of the Maulers–Panthers to Sunday afternoon (with coverage by USA), part of an effort by the league to air "some of its better games on network television."

Week 4

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Week 4
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[71] 		Rating
[72]
May 6, 10:20 p.m. Philadelphia Stars 26–25 Michigan Panthers FS1 0.21 0.1 [73][74]
May 7, 2:30 p.m. New Jersey Generals 21–13 Pittsburgh Maulers Peacock N/A [73][75]
May 7, 7:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits 10–16 Birmingham Stallions Fox 1.05 0.6 [73][76]
May 8, 3:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers 16–23 New Orleans Breakers NBC 1.16 0.7 [77]

Week 5

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Week 5
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[78] 		Rating
[79]
May 13, 8:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers 20–27 Tampa Bay Bandits USA 0.25 0.2 [80]
May 14, 3:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers 17–27 New Jersey Generals Fox 0.72 0.5 [81]
May 15, 12:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions 30–17 Philadelphia Stars NBC 0.91 0.6 [82]
May 15, 4:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers 21–20 Houston Gamblers Fox 0.69 0.4 [83]

Week 6

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Week 6
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[84] 		Rating
[85]
May 21, 1:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits 28–35 Philadelphia Stars NBC[W6 1] 0.79 0.5 [86]
May 21, 7:30 p.m. Michigan Panthers 17–33 Birmingham Stallions 1.20 0.7 [87]
May 22, 12:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers 16–26 New Orleans Breakers FS1 0.28 0.2 [88]
May 22, 4:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers 25–26 New Jersey Generals Fox 0.67 0.4 [89]
  1. ^ Game concluded on CNBC due to live airing of Saturday Night Live on NBC.

Week 7

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Week 7
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[90] 		Rating
[91]
May 28, 12:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals 20–13 Tampa Bay Bandits USA 0.23 0.2 [92]
May 28, 9:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers 31–27 (OT) Michigan Panthers FS1 0.27 0.2 [93]
May 29, 2:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions 26–16 Pittsburgh Maulers Fox 0.83 0.5 [94]
May 29, 6:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars 35–24 Houston Gamblers Peacock N/A [95]

Week 8

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Week 8
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[96] 		Rating
[97]
June 3, 8:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Maulers 18–29 New Jersey Generals USA 0.21 0.1 [98]
June 4, 3:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers 9–10 Birmingham Stallions Fox 0.63 0.4 [99]
June 5, 12:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers 24–46 Philadelphia Stars 0.77 0.5 [100]
June 5, 4:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers 3–13 Tampa Bay Bandits Peacock N/A [101]

Week 9

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Week 9
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[102] 		Rating
[103]
June 11, 1:00 p.m. New Jersey Generals 25–23 Michigan Panthers NBC 0.82 0.5 [104]
June 11, 6:00 p.m. Houston Gamblers 17–15 Birmingham Stallions USA 0.21 0.2 [105]
June 12, 4:00 p.m. Tampa Bay Bandits 6–17 New Orleans Breakers Fox 0.74 0.5 [106]
June 12, 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia Stars 17–16 Pittsburgh Maulers FS1 0.39 0.2 [107]

Week 10

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Week 10
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[108] 		Rating
[109]
June 18, 12:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars 23–26 New Jersey Generals USA 0.24 0.2 [110]
June 18, 4:00 p.m. Birmingham Stallions 21–18 Tampa Bay Bandits Fox 0.65 0.4 [111]
June 19, 12:00 p.m. Michigan Panthers 33–21 Pittsburgh Maulers USA 0.28 0.2 [112]
June 19, 8:30 p.m. New Orleans Breakers 3–20 Houston Gamblers FS1 0.18 0.1 [113][114]

Playoffs

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The playoffs started on June 25 and ended with the championship game on July 3. All games were played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Division Finals
June 25, 2022 		USFL Championship
July 3, 2022
      
N2 Philadelphia Stars 19
N1 New Jersey Generals 14
N2 Philadelphia Stars 30
S1 Birmingham Stallions 33
S2 New Orleans Breakers 17
S1 Birmingham Stallions 31
This bracket:
Division Finals
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[115] 		Rating[116]
June 25, 3:00 p.m. Philadelphia Stars 19–14 New Jersey Generals Fox 0.96 0.6 [117]
June 25, 8:00 p.m. New Orleans Breakers 17–31 Birmingham Stallions NBC 1.00 0.7 [118]
USFL Championship
Date and time Away team Score Home team Broadcast Refs
Network Viewership
(millions)[119] 		Rating[120]
July 3, 7:30 p.m. Birmingham Stallions 33–30 Philadelphia Stars Fox 1.52 0.9 [121][122]

Reference[123]

Awards

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Players of the Week

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The following Players of the Week were named the top performers (by the fans voting in a poll) during the 2022 season:

Week Offensive
Player of the Week 		Defensive
Player of the Week 		Special Teams
Player of the Week 		Ref.
1 QB J'Mar Smith
(Birmingham Stallions) 		DE Davin Bellamy
(New Orleans Breakers) 		KR Chad Williams
(New Orleans Breakers) 		[124]
2 QB Kyle Sloter (1)
(New Orleans Breakers) 		LB Vontae Diggs
(New Orleans Breakers) 		K Nick Vogel
(Houston Gamblers) 		[125]
3 WR Johnnie Dixon
(New Orleans Breakers) 		LB DeMarquis Gates
(Birmingham Stallions) 		K Tyler Rausa
(Tampa Bay Bandits) 		[126]
4 RB Reggie Corbin
(Michigan Panthers) 		LB Scooby Wright
(Birmingham Stallions) 		K Taylor Bertolet
(New Orleans Breakers) 		[127]
5 RB C. J. Marable
(Birmingham Stallions) 		LB Demarquis Gates
(Birmingham Stallions) 		K Ramiz Ahmed
(Pittsburgh Maulers) 		[128]
6 RB Bo Scarbrough
(Birmingham Stallions) 		S JoJo Tillery
(Birmingham Stallions) 		K Cole Murphy (1)
(Michigan Panthers) 		[129]
7 QB Kyle Sloter (2)
(New Orleans Breakers) 		LB Donald Payne (1)
(Houston Gamblers) 		K Cole Murphy (2)
(Michigan Panthers) 		[130]
8 QB Case Cookus
(Philadelphia Stars) 		DE Chris Odom
(Houston Gamblers) 		K Ramiz Ahmed
(Pittsburgh Maulers) 		[131]
9 WR Joe Walker
(Michigan Panthers) 		CB Trae Elston
(New Jersey Generals) 		P Max Duffy
(Pittsburgh Maulers) 		[132]
10 QB Paxton Lynch
(Michigan Panthers) 		LB Donald Payne (2)
(Houston Gamblers) 		DE Chris Odom
(Houston Gamblers) 		[133][134][135]

All-USFL Team

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The following 27 players were selected by the league as "athletes who played consistently well over the course of the season".[136]

Offense

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Position Player(s)
Quarterback 10 Kyle Sloter, New Orleans Breakers
Running back 27 Darius Victor, New Jersey Generals
3 Reggie Corbin, Michigan Panthers
Wide receiver 7 Victor Bolden Jr., Birmingham Stallions
5 KaVontae Turpin, New Jersey Generals
Tight end 80 Sal Cannella, New Orleans Breakers
Offensive tackle 72 Terry Poole, New Jersey Generals
77 Jarron Jones, Tampa Bay Bandits
Guard 78 Cameron Hunt, Birmingham Stallions[b]
51 Garrett McGhin, New Jersey Generals
Center 65 Jared Thomas, New Orleans Breakers

Defense

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Position Player(s)
Defensive end 93 Chris Odom, Houston Gamblers
56 Davin Bellamy, New Orleans Breakers
Defensive tackle 70 Reggie Howard Jr., New Orleans Breakers
90 Toby Johnson, New Jersey Generals
Linebacker 47 DeMarquis Gates, Birmingham Stallions
15 Donald Payne, Houston Gamblers
45 Jerod Fernandez, New Orleans Breakers
Cornerback 8 Channing Stribling, Philadelphia Stars
4 William Likely, Houston Gamblers
Safety 25 Shalom Luani, New Jersey Generals
22 Bryce Torneden, Pittsburgh Maulers

Special teams

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Position Player(s)
Kicker 10 Brandon Aubrey, Birmingham Stallions
Punter 16 Brandon Wright, Tampa Bay Bandits
Kickoff returner 13 Maurice Alexander, Philadelphia Stars
Punt returner 5 KaVontae Turpin, New Jersey Generals
Special teamer 7 Victor Bolden Jr., Birmingham Stallions

Regular season

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Most Valuable
Player of the Year 		Offensive
Player of the Year 		Defensive
Player of the Year 		Coach of the Year Sportsman
Player of the Year 		Ref.
KaVontae Turpin WR
(New Jersey Generals) 		Darius Victor RB
(New Jersey Generals) 		Chris Odom DE
(Houston Gamblers) 		Mike Riley
(New Jersey Generals) 		Matt Colburn RB
(Philadelphia Stars) 		[137]

Playoffs

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North Division Final
Player of the game 		South Division Final
Player of the game 		USFL Championship
Most Valuable Player/Player of the game
Maurice Alexander WR
(Philadelphia Stars) 		J'Mar Smith QB
(Birmingham Stallions) 		Victor Bolden Jr. WR
(Birmingham Stallions)

Statistical leaders

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2022 USFL statistical leaders
Category Player Team Stat
Offense
Passing Yards Jordan Ta'amu Tampa Bay Bandits 2,015
Touchdowns 14
Interceptions 12
Rushing Yards Jordan Ellis New Orleans Breakers 596
Touchdowns Darius Victor New Jersey Generals 9
Receiving Yards KaVontae Turpin New Jersey Generals 540
Receptions Lance Lenoir Michigan Panthers 52
Touchdowns Isaiah Zuber Houston Gamblers 5
Defense
Tackles Donald Payne Houston Gamblers 117
Sacks Chris Odom Houston Gamblers 12.5
Interceptions Channing Stribling Philadelphia Stars 7
Passes Defensed 11
Special teams
Return yards Kick Maurice Alexander Philadelphia Stars 787
Punt Rashard Davis Tampa Bay Bandits 224
Field goals Made Brandon Aubrey Birmingham Stallions 18
Percentage Cole Murphy Michigan Panthers 92%
Punting Yards Brandon Wright Tampa Bay Bandits 2,176
Average 41.1

Reference[138]

League finances

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Fox Sports owns the league and has reportedly committed $150 million–$200 million over three years to its operations,[139][140] with plans to attract an additional $250 million from investors.[141] For the 2022 regular season, tickets cost $10 per person, with children aged 15 and under free. However, for the 2 division finals games tickets will cost $15 per person with children aged 15 and under $5, for the championship game those prices are increased by $5 (meaning $20 per person and $10 for children 15 and under)[142] Tickets provide access to all games scheduled for the same day.[143] On March 3, 2022, the league announced that 15 states have approved legal, regulated betting on USFL games.[144]

On February 15, 2022, the USFL signed a multi-year partnership with Sportradar, making them the official sports data partner of the league. Sportradar will also provide betting data during USFL telecasts.[145]

The league draws revenue of less than $10 million, making it ineligible to seek P visas for players from outside the United States; Liam Dobson, a Canadian offensive lineman, was disqualified from playing in the USFL because of the league's lack of revenue.[146] It would later reported that the league estimated annual revenue is around $7.5 million.[147]

Media

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Broadcasting

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This was the first year of the three-year rights deal agreement between NBC Sports along with Fox Sports (Fox Does not have to pay a rights free due to it being one of the owners of the league).[148]

Telecasts for the 2022 season will air on Fox, FS1, NBC, Peacock and USA Network, Fox broadcast 13 regular season games (1 simulcast with NBC), 1 semi-final, and the championship game.[149] NBC broadcast 8 regular season games (1 simulcast with Fox) and 1 semi-final. Peacock broadcast 4 games exclusively and simulcast all NBC games (including the opening game simulcast with Fox and NBC). Other games aired on Cable networks USA Network (9 games) and FS1 (7 games).[150]

The opening game was broadcast on April 16, 2022, at 7:30 PM Eastern time on both Fox and NBC. Fox produced the game and NBC produced all studio coverage. It was the first football game to be simulcast across two major American broadcast networks since the 2007 New England Patriots–New York Giants game.[151]

Fox brought back its lead XFL broadcast team from 2020, Curt Menefee and Joel Klatt, for USFL coverage.[152] Kevin Kugler and Mark Sanchez serve as the second broadcast team. Brock Huard reports from the sidelines during selected games.[153]

The NBC crew features Jac Collinsworth and Paul Burmeister handling play-by-play duties alongside analysts Jason Garrett, Michael Robinson and Cameron Jordan. Zora Stephenson and Corey Robinson are sideline reporters and Sara Perlman hosts halftime and post-game coverage.[154]

Viewership

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In millions of viewers

Broadcaster 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Division finals Championship
game		 Total Average
Fox 1.8 1.1 0.8 1.1 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.5 14.1 0.9
– – 1.1 – 0.7 – – 0.8 – – – –
FS1 0.3 0.4 – 0.2 – 0.3 0.3 – 0.4 0.2 – – 2.1 0.3
NBC 1.3 0.8 – 1.1 0.9 0.8 – – 0.8 – 1.0 – 10.1 1.1
2.2 – – – – 1.2 – – – – – –
USA 0.8 0.4 0.3 – 0.3 – 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 – – 2.9 0.3
– – – – – – – – – 0.3 – –
Total 5.4 2.7 2.2 2.4 2.6 3.0 1.3 1.6 2.1 1.4 2.0 1.5 28.2  
Average 1.1 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3 1.0 1.5   0.7

* One decimal place is shown in table but three decimal places are used in all calculations.
* Viewership figures for games streaming on Peacock were not released.

United By Football

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During the season, Fox also aired a 13-part documentary series called "United by Football: A Season in the USFL" which produced by the league, NFL Films and Fox Sports. The series followed the USFL players and coaches "behind-the-scenes" during their 2022 journey, starting with the inaugural USFL Player Draft in Birmingham, and conclude with the USFL Championship Game.[155][156] The series averaged 720,000 viewers per episode.[157]

The show caused controversy before the first week, as a video clip, posted on social media, of Pittsburgh Maulers head coach Kirby Wilson releasing running back De'Veon Smith due to violating team protocol after asking to have pizza for lunch instead of the chicken salad.[158]

Viewership and Reception

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The first week of games received mixed reviews. Although 3.07 million viewers tuning in for the league first game and 2.15 million for the second and the level of play was good,[159] some criticized the first game simulcasting and especially the camera angles and drones shots,[160] while others praised the helmet cam and sideline access.[161] The viewership dropped 57% in the second week, while numbers continue to decline throughout the season with a season low of 337,500 average for the final week.[162] Regular season averaged 695,000 viewers per game. The USFL Championship Game averaged a 0.9 rating and 1.52 million viewers on FOX, and was the league's highest rated and most-watched telecast since week 1.[163]

The USFL experimented by putting sensors in game balls to measure first downs.[164] This experience cause an issue during week 1, with poor passing attempts and kicking performance for punts, field goals, and extra points, given the distribution of the extra weight of the sensor.[165] The league changed kicking balls before Week 2.[166]

Many were concerned about the attendance figures in the hub setting in Birmingham for non-Stallions games. While the league started strong with 17,500 fans in attendance for the first game, featuring the local Stallions vs New Jersey Generals, but the did not release figures for the other 39 regular-season games, which appeared to be played in a mostly-empty stadium.[13][160] The poor attendance and the league's inability to connect with fans in most of their city-named teams' markets, believed to hurt league image and credibility amongst casual and mainstream football fans.[167] The USFL acknowledged the issue, and promised to play next season in two to four cities, and the USFL parent company, Fox, hired investment bank Allen & Company to find minority investors to help fund the league's expansion into local markets.[168][169]

Signees to the NFL

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Players

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After the season over 180 players got invited to NFL tryouts, 69 players were invited to NFL training camps and 13 players finished the 2022/23 season on active 53-man NFL rosters.[170][171]

Legend
Made an NFL team (active, practice squad or PUP)
Bold Made the active roster

Note the following list notes the status of players only during the 2022 NFL season.[172]

Player Position USFL team NFL team(s) Ref.
Christian Sam LB New Orleans Breakers Dallas Cowboys [173]
DeJuan Neal CB New Jersey Generals Washington Commanders [174]
Channing Stribling Philadelphia Stars [175]
Doug Costin DT Birmingham Stallions Pittsburgh Steelers [176]
Jeremiah Pharms Pittsburgh Maulers New England Patriots [177]
Isaiah Zuber WR Houston Gamblers Las Vegas Raiders [178]
Isiah Brown CB New Orleans Breakers [179]
Sal Cannella TE Green Bay Packers [180]
Carlo Kemp DT Pittsburgh Maulers Los Angeles Chargers [181]
Victor Bolden Jr. WR Birmingham Stallions Arizona Cardinals/Denver Broncos [182][183]
Luis Perez QB New Jersey Generals Los Angeles Rams [184]
Kyle Sloter New Orleans Breakers Jacksonville Jaguars [185]
Domenique Davis DT Houston Gamblers Cincinnati Bengals [186]
Tegray Scales LB [186]
Osirus Mitchell WR Birmingham Stallions Green Bay Packers [187]
Rashard Davis Tampa Bay Bandits New York Jets [188]
Tino Ellis CB Michigan Panthers Miami Dolphins [189]
Lance Lenoir WR Philadelphia Eagles/Los Angeles Rams [190][191]
Bailey Gaither Pittsburgh Maulers Baltimore Ravens/New York Giants [192][193]
Garrett McGhin OG New Jersey Generals New York Giants [194]
Ishmael Hyman WR Michigan Panthers Green Bay Packers [195]
KaVontae Turpin New Jersey Generals Dallas Cowboys [196]
Bug Howard TE Philadelphia Stars Tampa Bay Buccaneers [197]
Darrin Paulo OT Tampa Bay Bandits Detroit Lions [198]
Shakur Brown CB Pittsburgh Maulers Tennessee Titans [199]
Tomasi Laulile DT Houston Gamblers San Francisco 49ers [200]
Alex Akingbulu OT Philadelphia Stars Washington Commanders [201]
Sage Surratt TE Birmingham Stallions Los Angeles Chargers [202]
Derrick Dillon WR Tampa Bay Bandits Cleveland Browns [203]
Maurice Alexander Philadelphia Stars Detroit Lions [204]
Terrell Bonds CB Pittsburgh Maulers Tennessee Titans [205]
De'Vante Bausby New Jersey Generals Washington Commanders [206]
Darrius Shepherd WR Denver Broncos [207]
Tae Hayes CB Birmingham Stallions Carolina Panthers/New England Patriots [208][209]
Chris Odom DE Houston Gamblers Cleveland Browns [210]
DeMarquis Gates LB Birmingham Stallions Chicago Bears [211]
Quenton Meeks CB Tampa Bay Bandits New Orleans Saints [212]
Devin Gray WR Philadelphia Stars Kansas City Chiefs [213]
Matt Colburn RB Jacksonville Jaguars [214]
Cameron Hunt OG Birmingham Stallions Los Angeles Chargers [215]
T. J. Carter DE Michigan Panthers New Orleans Saints [216]
Jameson Houston CB Seattle Seahawks [217]
Micah Abernathy S Houston Gamblers Green Bay Packers/Atlanta Falcons [218][219]
Dexter Williams RB Philadelphia Stars Green Bay Packers [218]
KJ Costello QB New Orleans Saints [220]
B. J. Emmons RB Tampa Bay Bandits Houston Texans [221]
Stevie Scott RB Michigan Panthers Denver Broncos [222]
Brian Allen CB Birmingham Stallions New Orleans Saints [223]
DeAndre Torrey RB Michigan Panthers Philadelphia Eagles [224]
Ramiz Ahmed K Pittsburgh Maulers Green Bay Packers [225]
Devin Hafford CB New England Patriots [226]
Taylor Bertolet K New Orleans Breakers Carolina Panthers/Los Angeles Chargers [227][228]
Tucker Addington LS Houston Gamblers Dallas Cowboys/New England Patriots [229][230]
Mitchell Fraboni Pittsburgh Maulers Denver Broncos [231]
Hunter Thedford TE/OL New England Patriots/Denver Broncos [232][233]
Case Cookus QB Philadelphia Stars Los Angeles Rams [234]
Brock Miller P New Jersey Generals [235]

Officials

edit

After the season 48 USFL officials participated in the NFL Officiating Development Program and nine of them were selected to officiate games for the 2023 NFL season.[236]

References

edit
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  164. ^ "The USFL to Go Chainless This Season, Will Rely on Sensors in the Football to Measure First Downs". sportsbusinessjournal.com.
  165. ^ ""Pi**ed is an understatement" – USFL players unhappy about chip technology used in footballs". sportskeeda.com.
  166. ^ "USFL changed kicking balls for Week Two, due to issues with sensor". profootballtalk.com.
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  173. ^ "USFL LB Christian Sam Signs With The Dallas Cowboys". July 8, 2022.
  174. ^ "NJ Generals DB DeJuan Neal Signs With Washington Commanders". July 14, 2022.
  175. ^ "Stars CB Channing Stribling Signs With Washington Commanders". July 14, 2022.
  176. ^ "Birmingham Stallions DT Doug Costin Signed By Pittsburgh Steelers". July 19, 2022.
  177. ^ "Pittsburgh Maulers DT Jeremiah Pharms Signed By New England Patriots". July 19, 2022.
  178. ^ "Raiders sign former Patriots receiver Isaiah Zuber". July 19, 2022.
  179. ^ "Raiders sign CB Isiah Brown". July 20, 2022.
  180. ^ "Packers Sign Tight End Sal Cannella". July 21, 2022.
  181. ^ "Ex-Michigan DT signs with Chargers after strong season in USFL". July 22, 2022.
  182. ^ "Birmingham Stallions WR Victor Bolden Jr. Signs With Arizona Cardinals". July 22, 2022.
  183. ^ "Broncos Sign WR/KR Victor Bolden to Practice Squad". November 16, 2022.
  184. ^ "Rams bring back QB Luis Perez". July 23, 2022.
  185. ^ "New Orleans Breakers QB Kyle Sloter Signs With Jacksonville Jaguars". July 24, 2022.
  186. ^ a b "Cincinnati Bengals sign three free agents to the team". July 25, 2022.
  187. ^ "Packers Signing WR Osirus Mitchell". July 25, 2022.
  188. ^ "National champion, USFL alum WR/PR Rashard Davis joins Jets". July 26, 2022.
  189. ^ "Dolphins signing CB Tino Ellis after USFL season". July 27, 2022.
  190. ^ "Roster Moves: Eagles sign TE Jaden Graham, WR Lance Lenoir, and C Cameron Tom". July 27, 2022.
  191. ^ "Amid Injuries at Wide Receiver, Former Michigan Panther Lance Lenoir Signs with LA Rams". December 23, 2022.
  192. ^ "Ravens Sign Wide Receiver, Place Ben Cleveland on NFI List". July 27, 2022.
  193. ^ "Giants' Bailey Gaither: Awarded to Giants". August 26, 2022.
  194. ^ "Giants Signing OT Garrett McGhin, Waiving OT Kamaal Seymour – NFL Trade Rumor's". July 27, 2022.
  195. ^ Mosqueda, Justis (July 27, 2022). "Packers to waive OLB Caliph Brice, sign WR Ishmael Hyman". Acme Packing Co.
  196. ^ "Cowboys EXCLUSIVE: Dallas to Sign USFL MVP KaVontae Turpin – Sources". July 27, 2022.
  197. ^ "Bucs Signed TE Bug Howard". July 28, 2022.
  198. ^ "Detroit Lions sign OT Darrin Paulo, waive injured LB Natrez Patrick". July 28, 2022.
  199. ^ "Titans agree to terms with Shakur Brown". July 29, 2022.
  200. ^ "49ers sign Tomasi Laulile". July 29, 2022.
  201. ^ "Commanders make multiple roster moves". July 30, 2022.
  202. ^ "Chargers sign Sage Surratt". July 31, 2022.
  203. ^ Grindley, Wyatt (August 1, 2022). "Browns Activating RT Jack Conklin From PUP List, Among Other Moves". nfltraderumors.co.
  204. ^ "Lions sign WR Maurice Alexander from the USFL". August 3, 2022.
  205. ^ "Former Tennessee State football DB Terrell Bonds among Tennessee Titans roster additions". The Tennessean. August 3, 2022.
  206. ^ "Updated depth chart: Commanders waive injured LB Drew White and sign CB De'Vante Bausby". August 3, 2022.
  207. ^ "Broncos sign WR Darrius Shepherd". August 4, 2022.
  208. ^ "Panthers sign cornerback Tae Hayes". August 4, 2022.
  209. ^ "Patriots sign recent Panthers cornerback Tae Hayes to practice squad". December 27, 2022.
  210. ^ "Browns sign USFL defensive player of the year Chris Odom". August 5, 2022.
  211. ^ "Bears sign USFL star DeMarquis Gates". August 5, 2022.
  212. ^ Larsen, James (August 6, 2022). "Tampa Bay Bandits DB Quenton Meeks Signs With New Orleans Saints". USFL Newsroom. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  213. ^ "Chiefs signing Devin Gray after tryout". August 6, 2022.
  214. ^ "Roster Moves: RB Matt Colburn signed, RB Nathan Cottrell waived/injured". August 7, 2022. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  215. ^ "Chargers signing Cameron Hunt". August 8, 2022.
  216. ^ "Saints Sign DE T.J. Carter". August 8, 2022.
  217. ^ "Seahawks signing Jameson Houston". August 10, 2022.
  218. ^ a b "Packers sign S Micah Abernathy, RB Dexter Williams". August 10, 2022. Archived from the original on August 31, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  219. ^ "Falcons sign S Micah Abernathy off Packers practice squad". December 31, 2022.
  220. ^ "Saints to sign QB KJ Costello". August 10, 2022.
  221. ^ "Houston Texans adding former Crimson Tide running back". August 10, 2022.
  222. ^ "Broncos sign Stevie Scott, JaQuan Hardy". August 10, 2022.
  223. ^ Rose, Bob (August 11, 2022). "Saints Ink a Veteran Cornerback". SI.com. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  224. ^ "Roster Move: Eagles sign RB DeAndre Torrey". August 11, 2022.
  225. ^ "Packers sign K Ramiz Ahmed". August 13, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  226. ^ "Patriots sign undrafted free agent defensive back Devin Hafford". August 13, 2022.
  227. ^ "Panthers sign new kicker to practice squad". September 9, 2022.
  228. ^ "Chargers sign K Taylor Bertolet to the practice squad". October 6, 2022.
  229. ^ "USFL to NFL: LS Tucker Addington, Taylor Bertolet, and Bailey Gaither Join NFL Teams". October 6, 2022.
  230. ^ "Patriots put Joe Cardona on IR, sign Tucker Addington". December 23, 2022.
  231. ^ "Broncos sign LS Mitchell Fraboni, WR Trinity Benson to practice squad". October 11, 2022.
  232. ^ "Patriots Sign OL Hunter Thedford to the Practice Squad". November 17, 2022.
  233. ^ "Broncos sign nine players to future contracts". January 9, 2023.
  234. ^ "Rams sign QB Case Cookus, C Cole Toner to practice squad". November 23, 2022.
  235. ^ "Rams add punter Brock Miller to practice squad". December 28, 2022.
  236. ^ "Nine USFL Game Officials Selected for NFL". April 20, 2023.
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