2022 USFL season

Last updated
2022 USFL season
United States Football League (2022) logo.png
League United States Football League
Sport American 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 MVP KaVontae Turpin
North champions Philadelphia Stars
  North runners-up New Jersey Generals
South champions Birmingham Stallions
  South runners-up New Orleans Breakers
2022 USFL Championship
Venue Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
Champions Birmingham Stallions
  Runners-up Philadelphia Stars
Finals MVP Victor Bolden Jr.
Seasons
2023  

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).

Contents

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

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

2022 USFL season
Invisible Square.svg
Invisible Square.svg
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800km
500miles

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

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

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

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

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

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]

Standings

North Division
#WLPCTGBDIVPFPASTK
1(y) New Jersey Generals 91.900-6–0232182W9
2(x) Philadelphia Stars 64.60034–2262243L1
3(e) Michigan Panthers 28.20072–4211236W1
4(e) Pittsburgh Maulers 19.10080–6147243L5
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched division; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention
South Division
#WLPCTGBDIVPFPASTK
1(y) Birmingham Stallions 91.900-5–1234169W1
2(x) New Orleans Breakers 64.60033–3196164L1
3(e) Tampa Bay Bandits 46.40052–4162195L2
4(e) Houston Gamblers 37.30062–4196208W2
(x)–clinched playoff berth; (y)–clinched division; (e)–eliminated from playoff contention

Season schedule

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

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

Week 1
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [45]
Rating
[46] [47]
April 16, 7:30 p.m.New Jersey Generals24–28Birmingham Stallions Fox and NBC 3.071.8 [48] [49] [50]
April 17, 12:50 p.m.Houston Gamblers17–12Michigan PanthersNBC [W1 1] 2.151.1 [49] [51]
April 17, 5:00 p.m.Philadelphia Stars17–23New Orleans Breakers USA [W1 2] 0.770.4 [49] [52]
April 18, 7:00 p.m.Tampa Bay Bandits17–3Pittsburgh Maulers FS1 [W1 3] 0.270.2 [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

Week 2
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [54]
Rating
[47]
April 22, 8:00 p.m.Michigan Panthers6–10New Jersey GeneralsUSA0.360.2 [55] [56]
April 23, 12:00 p.m.Pittsburgh Maulers23–30Philadelphia StarsFox1.060.7 [57] [58]
April 23, 7:00 p.m.Birmingham Stallions33–28Houston GamblersFS1 [W2 1] 0.420.2 [59]
April 24, 3:00 p.m.New Orleans Breakers34–3Tampa Bay BanditsNBC0.810.5 [60]
  1. Game started on FS2 due to MLB coverage on FS1.

Week 3

Week 3
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [61]
Rating
[62]
April 30, 4:00 p.m.Tampa Bay Bandits27–26Houston GamblersFox0.830.5 [63] [64]
April 30, 8:00 p.m.Birmingham Stallions22–13New Orleans BreakersFox [W3 1] 1.110.7 [65] [66]
May 1, 2:30 p.m.Pittsburgh Maulers0–24Michigan PanthersUSA [W3 1] 0.290.2 [67] [68]
May 1, 8:00 p.m.New Jersey Generals24–16Philadelphia Stars Peacock N/A [69] [70]
  1. 1 2 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

Week 4
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [71]
Rating
[72]
May 6, 10:20 p.m.Philadelphia Stars26–25Michigan PanthersFS10.210.1 [73] [74]
May 7, 2:30 p.m.New Jersey Generals21–13Pittsburgh MaulersPeacockN/A [73] [75]
May 7, 7:00 p.m.Tampa Bay Bandits10–16Birmingham StallionsFox1.050.6 [73] [76]
May 8, 3:00 p.m.Houston Gamblers16–23New Orleans BreakersNBC1.160.7 [77]

Week 5

Week 5
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [78]
Rating
[79]
May 13, 8:00 p.m.Michigan Panthers20–27Tampa Bay BanditsUSA0.250.2 [80]
May 14, 3:00 p.m.New Orleans Breakers17–27New Jersey GeneralsFox0.720.5 [81]
May 15, 12:00 p.m.Birmingham Stallions30–17Philadelphia StarsNBC0.910.6 [82]
May 15, 4:00 p.m.Pittsburgh Maulers21–20Houston GamblersFox0.690.4 [83]

Week 6

Week 6
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [84]
Rating
[85]
May 21, 1:00 p.m.Tampa Bay Bandits28–35Philadelphia StarsNBC [W6 1] 0.790.5 [86]
May 21, 7:30 p.m.Michigan Panthers17–33Birmingham Stallions1.200.7 [87]
May 22, 12:00 p.m.Pittsburgh Maulers16–26New Orleans BreakersFS10.280.2 [88]
May 22, 4:00 p.m.Houston Gamblers25–26New Jersey GeneralsFox0.670.4 [89]
  1. Game concluded on CNBC due to live airing of Saturday Night Live on NBC.

Week 7

Week 7
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [90]
Rating
[91]
May 28, 12:00 p.m.New Jersey Generals20–13Tampa Bay BanditsUSA0.230.2 [92]
May 28, 9:00 p.m.New Orleans Breakers31–27 (OT)Michigan PanthersFS10.270.2 [93]
May 29, 2:00 p.m.Birmingham Stallions26–16Pittsburgh MaulersFox0.830.5 [94]
May 29, 6:00 p.m.Philadelphia Stars35–24Houston GamblersPeacockN/A [95]

Week 8

Week 8
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [96]
Rating
[97]
June 3, 8:00 p.m.Pittsburgh Maulers18–29New Jersey GeneralsUSA0.210.1 [98]
June 4, 3:00 p.m.New Orleans Breakers9–10Birmingham StallionsFox0.630.4 [99]
June 5, 12:00 p.m.Michigan Panthers24–46Philadelphia Stars0.770.5 [100]
June 5, 4:00 p.m.Houston Gamblers3–13Tampa Bay BanditsPeacockN/A [101]

Week 9

Week 9
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [102]
Rating
[103]
June 11, 1:00 p.m.New Jersey Generals25–23Michigan PanthersNBC0.820.5 [104]
June 11, 6:00 p.m.Houston Gamblers17–15Birmingham StallionsUSA0.210.2 [105]
June 12, 4:00 p.m.Tampa Bay Bandits6–17New Orleans BreakersFox0.740.5 [106]
June 12, 7:30 p.m.Philadelphia Stars17–16Pittsburgh MaulersFS10.390.2 [107]

Week 10

Week 10
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [108]
Rating
[109]
June 18, 12:00 p.m.Philadelphia Stars23–26New Jersey GeneralsUSA0.240.2 [110]
June 18, 4:00 p.m.Birmingham Stallions21–18Tampa Bay BanditsFox0.650.4 [111]
June 19, 12:00 p.m.Michigan Panthers33–21Pittsburgh MaulersUSA0.280.2 [112]
June 19, 8:30 p.m.New Orleans Breakers3–20Houston GamblersFS10.180.1 [113] [114]

Playoffs

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
Division Finals
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [115]
Rating [116]
June 25, 3:00 p.m.Philadelphia Stars19–14New Jersey GeneralsFox0.960.6 [117]
June 25, 8:00 p.m.New Orleans Breakers17–31Birmingham StallionsNBC1.000.7 [118]
USFL Championship
Date and timeAway teamScoreHome teamBroadcastRefs
Network Viewership
(millions) [119]
Rating [120]
July 3, 7:30 p.m.Birmingham Stallions33–30Philadelphia StarsFox1.520.9 [121] [122]

Reference [123]

Awards

Players of the Week

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

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

All-USFL Team

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

Offense

PositionPlayer(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

PositionPlayer(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

PositionPlayer(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

Most Valuable
Player of the Year
Offensive
Player of the Year
Defensive
Player of the Year
Coach of the YearSportsman
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

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

2022 USFL statistical leaders
CategoryPlayerTeamStat
Offense
PassingYards Jordan Ta'amu Tampa Bay Bandits 2,015
Touchdowns14
Interceptions12
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 Defensed11
Special teams
Return yardsKick Maurice Alexander Philadelphia Stars 787
Punt Rashard Davis Tampa Bay Bandits 224
Field goalsMade Brandon Aubrey Birmingham Stallions 18
Percentage Cole Murphy Michigan Panthers 92%
Punting Yards Brandon Wright Tampa Bay Bandits 2,176
Average41.1

Reference [138]

League finances

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

Broadcasting

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

In millions of viewers

Broadcaster12345678910Division finalsChampionship
game
TotalAverage
Fox 1.81.10.81.10.70.70.80.60.70.71.01.514.10.9
1.10.70.8
FS1 0.30.40.20.30.30.40.22.10.3
NBC 1.30.81.10.90.80.81.010.11.1
2.21.2
USA 0.80.40.30.30.20.20.20.22.90.3
0.3
Total5.42.72.22.42.63.01.31.62.11.42.01.528.2 
Average1.10.60.70.80.60.70.40.50.50.31.01.5 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

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

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

Players

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)
BoldMade the active roster

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

PlayerPositionUSFL teamNFL 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 CBNew Orleans Breakers [179]
Sal Cannella TE Green Bay Packers [180]
Carlo Kemp DTPittsburgh Maulers Los Angeles Chargers [181]
Victor Bolden Jr. WRBirmingham Stallions Arizona Cardinals/Denver Broncos [182] [183]
Luis Perez QBNew Jersey Generals Los Angeles Rams [184]
Kyle Sloter New Orleans Breakers Jacksonville Jaguars [185]
Domenique Davis DTHouston Gamblers Cincinnati Bengals [186]
Tegray Scales LB [186]
Osirus Mitchell WRBirmingham StallionsGreen 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 OGNew Jersey GeneralsNew York Giants [194]
Ishmael Hyman WRMichigan PanthersGreen Bay Packers [195]
KaVontae Turpin New Jersey GeneralsDallas Cowboys [196]
Bug Howard TEPhiladelphia Stars Tampa Bay Buccaneers [197]
Darrin Paulo OTTampa Bay Bandits Detroit Lions [198]
Shakur Brown CBPittsburgh Maulers Tennessee Titans [199]
Tomasi Laulile DTHouston Gamblers San Francisco 49ers [200]
Alex Akingbulu OTPhiladelphia StarsWashington Commanders [201]
Sage Surratt TEBirmingham StallionsLos Angeles Chargers [202]
Derrick Dillon WRTampa Bay Bandits Cleveland Browns [203]
Maurice Alexander Philadelphia StarsDetroit Lions [204]
Terrell Bonds CBPittsburgh MaulersTennessee Titans [205]
De'Vante Bausby New Jersey GeneralsWashington Commanders [206]
Darrius Shepherd WRDenver Broncos [207]
Tae Hayes CBBirmingham Stallions Carolina Panthers/New England Patriots [208] [209]
Chris Odom DEHouston GamblersCleveland Browns [210]
DeMarquis Gates LBBirmingham Stallions Chicago Bears [211]
Quenton Meeks CBTampa Bay Bandits New Orleans Saints [212]
Devin Gray WRPhiladelphia Stars Kansas City Chiefs [213]
Matt Colburn RBJacksonville Jaguars [214]
Cameron Hunt OGBirmingham StallionsLos Angeles Chargers [215]
T. J. Carter DEMichigan PanthersNew Orleans Saints [216]
Jameson Houston CBSeattle Seahawks [217]
Micah Abernathy SHouston GamblersGreen Bay Packers/Atlanta Falcons [218] [219]
Dexter Williams RBPhiladelphia StarsGreen Bay Packers [218]
KJ Costello QBNew Orleans Saints [220]
B. J. Emmons RBTampa Bay Bandits Houston Texans [221]
Stevie Scott RBMichigan PanthersDenver Broncos [222]
Brian Allen CBBirmingham StallionsNew Orleans Saints [223]
DeAndre Torrey RBMichigan PanthersPhiladelphia Eagles [224]
Ramiz Ahmed KPittsburgh MaulersGreen Bay Packers [225]
Devin Hafford CBNew England Patriots [226]
Taylor Bertolet KNew Orleans BreakersCarolina Panthers/Los Angeles Chargers [227] [228]
Tucker Addington LSHouston GamblersDallas Cowboys/New England Patriots [229] [230]
Mitchell Fraboni Pittsburgh MaulersDenver Broncos [231]
Hunter Thedford TE/OLNew England Patriots/Denver Broncos [232] [233]
Case Cookus QBPhiladelphia StarsLos Angeles Rams [234]
Brock Miller PNew Jersey Generals [235]

Officials

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]

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