Only 117 days until XFL/USFL start date on March 30, 2024

[MarkNelson]

There is only 117 days until XFL/USFL start date on March 30, 2024. Will they be ready in time?

[4th&long]

There is only 117 days until XFL/USFL start date on March 30, 2024. Will they be ready in time?

Yes - However...

Lots of delays, a lost TV partner, a bruising 2023 that hurt both leagues, both leagues still operating as if nothing is diff, working with a union, high inflation...

Let's hope we have a a signed deal soon or at least a lone survivor in 2024.

What's your opinion?

[laxtreme56]

I really think it's important to have a schedule in place before Christmas, but that doesn't seem to be happening, again. Season tickets would make a great stocking stuffer for the football fan, but it's hard to invest when you don't know what days your team is playing. Fox has a very soccer heavy schedule in June and July with them covering all the Euro and Copa America games. ABC/ESPN is very NHL/NBA heavy in April and May. I can see the front half of the year being front loaded on Fox/FS1 with the 2nd half and playoffs featured prominently on the Disney family of networks.

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

I really think it's important to have a schedule in place before Christmas, but that doesn't seem to be happening, again. Season tickets would make a great stocking stuffer for the football fan, but it's hard to invest when you don't know what days your team is playing. Fox has a very soccer heavy schedule in June and July with them covering all the Euro and Copa America games. ABC/ESPN is very NHL/NBA heavy in April and May. I can see the front half of the year being front loaded on Fox/FS1 with the 2nd half and playoffs featured prominently on the Disney family of networks.

I know I'm reaching here, and perhaps a little off-topic, but what about CBS?

CBS has no NASCAR, no baseball, once they get March Madness out of the way, their schedule is pretty much golf, women's soccer, and that's it until NFL season starts. Would it be worth asking them to take on some spring inventory?

This would be a little easier, admittedly, if there were still West Coast teams. A few Saturday night 8:35 PT games in a place like Seattle, San Diego, Sacramento, etc. would ease the scheduling load even if the ratings probably wouldn't be great—and give CBS something to counterprogram SNL.

[johnnyangryfuzzball]

If March 30 is the start date, they'll make it.

But they had better get the teams finalized and the schedule and rosters set soon. The turnaround from draft to kickoff was around 2½ to 3 months for XFL 2020. That translates to early January.

[MarkNelson]

115 days now. Yes they will make it, but can Russ Brandon avoid the same mistakes his team made the last time around? Answer: Why would things be any different?

[4th&long]

115 days now. Yes they will make it, but can Russ Brandon avoid the same mistakes his team made the last time around? Answer: Why would things be any different?

Will they delay moving forward 100% until deal ink dries?

[MarkNelson]

I don’t think they can delay. Delaying just burns cash.

[4th&long]

I don’t think they can delay. Delaying just burns cash.

I'm 100% with you on the cash burn, but they seem hesitant - Perplexing

[laxtreme56]

I don’t think they can delay. Delaying just burns cash.

I'm 100% with you on the cash burn, but they seem hesitant - Perplexing

I think NBC backing out, while not unexpected, may have done more internal damage than realized. NBC was reportedly paying a low 8 figure rights fee per year, so that's $10-12M a year less revenue now. Trying to maximize network coverage could prove tricky with Fox covering the Euro's in June and ABC/ESPN very NBA and NHL heavy in April and May.