Last week we learned that the USFL was speaking with representatives from Birmingham, AL to host their 2022 relaunch season. Since then we’ve learned that the league was targeting a 10-week season, which would kickoff April 15th. The league would play a majority of their games out of Protective Stadium, with the remaining games held out of Legion Stadium.
Well now it seems we have some more information on the situation. AL.com is reporting that the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) and the National Spring Football League (NSFL, which owns the USFL) have reached a tentative agreement to bring the USFL’s inaugural season to Birmingham.
Certain costs must be subsidized by public and private sectors,” the agreement reads. The parties “will not enter into a binding agreement unless or until commitments have been obtained to fund the Uncovered Costs.”
The USFL will have use of Protective Stadium for up to 40 games, plus three playoff games from about April 15, 2022, to July 3, 2022, at no cost, according to a non-binding Memorandum of Agreement between the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) and the National Spring Football League (NSFL, which owns the USFL) obtained by AL.com.
According to the agreement, the city of Birmingham will receive the revenue obtained from the stadiums. In turn, the league is saving a bundle by keeping all of their teams in one local. The city will also be seeing other revenue from the USFL staff and players, which would total more than 40,000 hotel nights over the 12-week season.
“Estimates of projected costs are still being developed and there is not a definitive projected cost at this point. Any number now would be premature,” BJCC Executive Director and CEO Tad Snider said.
It’s projected that the city of Birmingham could see upwards of $15M over the course of the season, which is a nice payday.
Additionally, each game is set to have two 30-second ads to promote Birmingham and Jefferson County. Originally the agreement asked for one, but the NSFL looked to make the deal even sweater by doubling the spots.
AL.com also reports that the agreement also includes a possible schedule for the 2022 season, but still need to be approved by both parties. At the moment, it’s reported that the league is targeting an April 15th kickoff, with the Championship taking place Jul 3.
It looks as if things are on the up and up for the USFL. And for those fans in Birmingham yearning for the glory days of the Stallions, it looks like you got a little more than you asked for… at least for the first season. If the online shop is any indicator, it seems as if we’ll also be seeing the return of the Philadelphia Starts, Pittsburg Maulers and New Orleans Breakers.
Do you like the idea of the USFL playing out of a central location? Do you plan on attending a game in Birmingham during the 2022 season? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.
