There looks to be some movement of UFL trademarks over the last month. XFL Properties LLC and USFL Enterprises LLC combined own the United Football league. XFL Properties owns the XFL side of the house and USFL Enterprises owns the USFL side of the house. In a recent trademark search, it looks like the USFL side of the house are locking in some names.
The four names are OAKLAND INVADERS, PHILADELPHIA STARS, NEW JERSEY GENERALS and TAMPA BAY BANDITS. Now these names have been trademarked by USFL Enterprises LLC for some time. These trademarks have been refreshed and filed on May 06, 2025 and signed by UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon.
For example, USFL Enterprises, LLC filed their first Oakland Invaders trademark application on October 12, 2021, but that application has been “CASE STILL SUSPENDED” since November 19, 2024. The new May 6, 2025 application is essentially a “do-over” because the original 2021 application got stuck in suspension. The refiling essentially means they don’t want it stuck any longer because they want to use them. Now…. This is the case for all four trademarks.
What Could This Mean For Expansion
First, lets get this out of the way. This could mean nothing, however, if you were just interested it refreshing the brands, you would do it for all of their “CASE STILL SUSPENDED” trademarks not just four.
There have been some rumblings behind the scenes that the league is unhappy with the fan turn outs in Houston and Birmingham. Memphis is on its own island because of its ties to Fed Ex owner Fred Smith.
Could the UFL have four new teams in 2026 with Houston and/or Birmingham converting to one of the four or are these the four new franchises rumored coming in 2026 and 2027. If i were a betting man, I would say two teams are converting as Seattle Sea Dragons are in play for the 2027 UFL season. Also, Columbus Ohio has been on the radar as well.
One thing for sure, if any of these teams come back online, these are big markets the United Football League desperately needs. We need more St Louis’s rather than Birmingham. Let break down each location.
Oakland Invaders
The Oakland Invaders played from 1983-1985 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, filling the void left when the Raiders moved to Los Angeles before the 1982 season. Could history repeat itself as the Raiders once again left the city in relocated to Las Vegas in 2020.
UFL News Hub sources have told us for quite some time that California was off the table because of high taxes and expenses. Maybe the league has decided to bite the bullet, given the UFL does have the hub model in place. The expense and headache might be worth it after all.
Getting another former NFL city were fans lost their beloved team could give the league another St Louis. California offers access to major TV markets that would significantly expand the UFL’s media footprint. Plus, the buzz of Oakland getting a team back could be huge for the league. There are legions of Raider fans across the country. I can hear the chants of ‘F Mark Davis’ now at Invaders games.
We wont get into the rumors of Davis sticking it the the XFL when they were trying to get a location for their Vegas Vipers franchise. This could be sweet payback.
Philadelphia Stars
The Stars played their first two seasons in Philadelphia as Philadelphia Stars before relocating to Baltimore as Baltimore Stars for the final 1985 season. The team did return with the USFL reboot and reached the 2022 USFL Championship Game where they lost to Birmingham Stallions. The team did not make the cut when the leagues merged in 2024.
Philadelphia represents the nation’s 4th largest television market, providing massive media exposure and advertising revenue potential for the UFL. The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the NFL’s top TV draw, featured in five of the seven most-watched NFL windows in recent seasons. To get a fraction of those fans to watch the UFL would blow away attendance in Birmingham.
There could also be a nice rivalry between the Defenders and Stars but where could they play? They could do the DC route and play where the MLS Philadelphia Union plays with UFL-friendly capacity of 18,500. Located less than 30 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. Other places include Franklin Field or Villanova Stadium.
New Jersey Generals
The Generals played at Giants Stadium from 1983-1985, initially owned by J. Walter Duncan, then sold to current US president Donald Trump after the 1983 season. The team signed major stars including Herschel Walker and Doug Flutie.
New Jersey also return in the USFL reboot and in 2022 dominated the USFL regular season with a 9-1 record, winning nine straight games after their opener to claim the North Division title and #1 playoff seed. However, their championship dreams ended in a stunning 19-14 semifinal upset loss to the Philadelphia Stars. Mike Riley was named USFL Coach of the Year that season.
The New York metropolitan area has a population of over twenty million people, making it the largest in the United States and among the top ten in the world. Having a team in the area is critical. This represents the #1 television market in the United States. If you have a sports league, you need a team there. Full Stop. This would solve that problem.
The New York Guardians of the XFL struggled with attendance, experiencing one of the worst crowd averages in the XFL in 2020 despite representing the nation’s largest media market. That could change with a move to a smaller venue in 2026. The XFL had begun discussions about potentially moving to Red Bull Arena (25,000 capacity) for the 2021 XFL season but COVID happened. The XFL reboot in 2023 decide against having a team in New York and move the Guardians name to Orlando. Where could the Generals play?
Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison offers the ideal 25,000-seat capacity as a modern soccer-specific venue that currently hosts the New York Red Bulls and NJ/NY Gotham FC. SHI Stadium at Rutgers University in Piscataway provides a 52,454-capacity alternative with established football infrastructure, having opened in 1994 and expanded in 2009.
Tampa Bay Bandits
The Bandits were owned by Canadian businessman John Bassett with minority owner Burt Reynolds, coached by Steve Spurrier in the 80’s. They were also part of the rebooted USFL in 2022 but only played one season and were replaced by the Memphis Showboats. The Showboats did make the cut when both leagues merged.
This location surprised me as it did not do well in the USFL reboot or the XFL under the Tamps Bay Vipers. However, I have heard from sources that NFL legend Tom Brady is interested in purchasing a UFL team. I did not believe that rumor until i saw this. Brady lives in the Tampa area. The only reason to bring the Bandits back, based on locations run in the XFL and USFL, is if they had an owner in place.
Raymond James Stadium still serves as the primary venue option for a Tampa Bay Bandits return. The Tampa Bay metropolitan area represents one of the largest markets in the United States. It is the 17th-largest metropolitan area in the United States and growing. Add in Tom Brady as the owner, you have buzz and national interest.
The UFL trademark filings represent the clearest signal yet that expansion remains a priority for the league heading into 2026. Whether these four franchises replace underperforming markets or join as new additions, each location offers significant advantages over current smaller markets.
Oakland brings a passionate fanbase seeking NFL replacement, Philadelphia and New Jersey provide access to massive television markets, and Tampa Bay offers both market size and potential star ownership. The league’s willingness to revisit California despite cost concerns and the timing of these filings suggests plans are already in motion.
For a league seeking to establish long-term viability, adding markets with proven football appetite and media reach could provide the foundation for sustained growth beyond the current eight-team format. It is time to dump the lagging franchises if we want the United Football League to thrive for the next 10 years and beyond.
10 Comments
by 4th&long
I don’t see anything by Fred Smith and or Fedex happening. The original reason for the TB move never materialized If you are aware of something please post.
TB is a TV market consisting of 1.68% households, Philly 2.51%, NY 6.26%. While Memphis is .52% and Birm .62%.
For a league leaning heavily on TV viewership, they are week markets. Add in attendance, a low income metro demographic and why are they still there with weak support?
Houston is a top ten TV market at 2.11%
In my dream world Memphis goes back to TB, Stallions keep name and move to Canton/Cleveland (1.25% HH) and they add Philly and NJ (re NY).
Move Houston to the XFL, USFL would be Clev Stallions, Mich, NJ, Philly, TB.
by 4th&long
having said that I can see Birm staying put.
The bigger issue is UFL mgt is not doing as well as they should and that’s showing in ratings and attendance.
by Craig Warren
Does FedEx have any ownership in the Showboats? All the cities mentioned in this article would be a huge boost for the league, especially Tampa Bay if Tom Brady comes on board. As part owner of the NFL Raiders, this could further solidify a working relationship between the UFL and the NFL
by Gary Winter
I agree that the UFL management isn’t doing as well as they should. Marketing, scheduling and other promotional areas just don’t seem well thought out at times.
I like the idea of putting teams in New Jersey, Oakland and Philadelphia. While I’m not sold on the idea that Tom Brady’s presence alone can sell a franchise (Not a big fan), it’s worth a shot considering the size of the market and the fact the league isn’t in Florida otherwise.
Living in St. Louis where our “We’ll show them” attitude has worked well for the UFL, I believe putting a team in Oakland is essential. they’ve been screwed by the NFL a couple times and MLB as well. They should have a healthy amount of folks with that same attitude. New Jersey and Philly are just simply too big to fail if handled properly.
by Frank Dux
With 7 teams struggling at the gate and Season Ticket renewals in St Louis down approximately 40%, is expansion really wise?
by Ken Granito
I am sorry if I am repeating myself, but I want to set the stage. In 2023 both the USFL and XFL were getting higher ratings than the UFL is right now. That tells me there are less than half as many fans watching the league today than there were in 2023. Is the fact that there are half as many teams now a factor. I believe so. Just how much of a factor is uncertain. Personally, the UFL had a problem and that was picking teams that had stadium deals. This meant St. Louis, Birmingham, Michigan, Houston, Memphis San Antonio, Arlington and DC really made sense, but were not the strongest markets. Unfortunately teams that had stronger markets such as New Jersey and even Seattle were out. First thing I think by the league setting up four possible locations. 1 is bargaining power. IF you only pick two teams when stadium hunting the league is kind of stuck when it comes to bargaining for a better stadium solution. 2. is the possibility the USFL and XFL see the UFL compromise as a solution that is not working and could separate again making one or two leagues. I can truly see many reasons why this could be the case. First of all it could work. There have been some terrible things football related that has come from this league being together. Things that were better when the leagues were separate. That stated, I have seem movement on some of them, but some rather large issues remain. I feel comfortable stating that I feel there is a place for a new Spring football league if former sports athletes wanted to build a league from the bottom with a new league and commissioner, especially since the league does not have teams in the most advantageous positions and their pay remains good for a lower professional league, but a little archaic too. I honestly feel there are ways to one up this league if former professional athletes wanted to come together and put a team in a new league.
3. I can why Fox who has some of the best and real sports would prefer to have more control of the product they televise and I can see why Disney, Redbird, Dany Garcia and the Rock would look at their entertainment programming and think that entertainment is what is most important. That stated, what is likely going to happen is the league is looking to expand and make some changes. Think about it. They get to expand in a more thoughtful way. They tried it the way they did and it hasn’t hit on all cylinders the way the league hoped. One of the problems is focusing on the league being a developmental league. That is OVER. You do not going into large markets and call your team a developmental league. I have said this over and over. People don’t watch enough minor league baseball to be owned by a national TV network such as Fox. That is over. The good thing is that each of the 4 markets there are reasons they could thrive. 1 thing. The Memphis Showboats are done. I honestly feel it is possible teams in the IFA might outdraw them. IF the thought to expand for 2026 is two teams it makes sense one of them is New Jersey and one would be Oakland. IF not Oakland or if you need to keep the balance between USFL & XFL and don’t want to move the Roughnecks than New Jersey and Seattle. The Battlehawks need a good, strong, experienced quarterback. I read someone mentioning St. Louis attendance being down, I think it will pick up when Coach Becht gets over the McCarron vs Becht shake up and is no longer afraid of getting a quarterback. Please listen to this. Under no circumstances do I want Becht to be the Generals coach. You would think that is a match, but I truly don’t want it. All this stated, I would have to build a team with the stronger fan-base. This does not necessarily mean attendance. The teams that actively have support from their fan base are the Battlehawks. As much as I have knocked the way the UFL handles the Battlehawks and the coach, I give the fans tons of credit. Think about this….people say the Battlehawks fans are good because they want to get a team in the NFL again, but the NFL put teams in St. Louis twice. Yes they left twice, but think on that doesn’t that mean there are great sports fans there to begin with. I feel even if the NFL came there, they would support the NFL team, but I really don’t think they would just forget the Battlehawks either. Let’s get this straight, Battlehawks fans are a fan of their team, not necessarily the UFL, XFL or USFL. That is something the league learned last year when Battlehawks regular season games outdrew the UFL Championship game. It is why the UFL made some real questionable calls this season with regards to Battlehawks games. Again, I love the Battlehawks fans and the way they support their teams. To me, they deserve better and should get it. Next is Birmingham. They have a fan base that roots for their team like few do. Unfortunately they play in a city that have less than 200,000 people, but they truly root for their team. I really look forward to the Panthers vs Stallions game in a couple of weeks. They need to stay. 3. The Panthers need to stay. They have quality at ever level and the fans are starting to see it. Plus families come to the stadium so they will be used to following the Panthers for years. I know you can’t compare the NFL to UFL, but I think the Panthers are looked at relatively well when you compare that team to the NFL Panthers, not better than, but with Mike Nolan, not that far off either. The Panthers need to stay. DC has true fandom. Maybe a little too much is confused with the beer snake as opposed to football, but there is truly a fan base here. When I saw the Defenders vs Stallions, I was talking with a couple behind me and they were saying how sometimes people even come from the Nationals game which is just a few blocks away, then come to the Defenders game. That takes loyalty. Very cool. Arlington has to be back right? San Antonio should be back. Notice most of the teams…..New Jersey, Philadelphia and Oakland all have great Spring climate, even better than teams currently in the league. That is excellent for the league. Tampa is the only exception, but with night games, it allows for teams in Tampa, Houston and Birmingham. Personally, I really like the Columbus or Canton Bulls with the Jacksonville Bulls uniforms. To me, this should take the place of Memphis Showboats. Either way I wish the league luck and I wish for better management going forward. There is one thing the league needs to remember. Fans actually know who the team’s star players are, much better than the announcers who cover them, except for Joel Klatt and maybe Kevin Kugler. There has been a lot of players cut and new signings, but the teams best players remain their best players. This should explain that as teams expand there are players to fill the void. Let’s finish the season strong. Call and officiate good football games and let the league thrive by playing football.
by Shimmy
This is a Developmental League, past leagues did not want to admit that ( WLAF). Ken I can Tell Your from a large market, Large markets have the NHL MLB NFL NBA you see the sport at It’s Highest level, your very lucky to have this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with calling it what it really is, it is the equivalent of the NBA G-League; The MLB AAA Baseball, NHL AAA hockey affiliations. Many of the cities in these leagues draw very, very well not only in attendance, but their support off the field as well. These communities is the highest level of play their fans have a opportunity to see, hoping these players move to the highest level in their sport.
by Shimmy
I do not live in any of these 8 cities, however if the League ownership is serious about selling any of these teams, it is time to start doing it, sell them first, the way they appear currently, no changes. Next step the same city with the private owners changes, nickname , color of uniforms, what stadium for there home games, etc. Then private or community owned from none of the current 8 cities, submitting nickname,team colors, uniforms, playing venue, etc. I honestly believe, private or community ownership with the teams housed in there cities, will be more passionate, at this level to make this franchise work out for the community they live in. I believe, start the season like the AAF, XFL after the Super Bowl, capitalize on football fans, sudden end of the season (NFL). Top cities I would look at San Diego, Oakland, Portland, Columbus, Norfolk-Virginia Beach-area, Orlando, Sacramento. I like these newer soccer stadiums, most all are natural turf and seat around 18000 to 30000 it looks like it puts the fans right on top of the action, and most all of them have canopies to protect the fans some what from the weather, examples Subaru park, Chester,PA Old renovated stadium Providence park, Portland, Or Columbus Crew stadium, America 1st, Salt Lake City, Snap Dragon, San Diego. Thank You Go UFL
by Football Fan
From the beginning, this league should have gone the ownership route.
Given the league’s current state, I don’t know how the owners can avoid losing money. They aren’t filling stadiums, and I doubt they’re selling much merchandise.
The UFL needs a TV deal, but good luck getting one now with the lower TV ratings.
I’ll never understand the need to rush a football league into existence without owners and a TV deal in place.
Teams are struggling with attendance, so what are they doing about it? Are they firing coaches? Are they going to sign notable talent and promote it? Not after they leave for the NFL, at least. It’s dumb to promote players who aren’t playing in your league. (Looking at you, FOX.)
Why should people in the South skip church to watch a bunch of NFL flameouts?
The results we are seeing are the consequence of poor decision-making by this league’s executives. I think the league has blown its opportunity to be successful, and I believe the merger played a large part in that.
by Ken Granito
You are correct Shimmy, I live in New Jersey and you, like me, don’t have an avenue to watch games live although I did drive down to DC to take in the Defenders vs Stallions this year. I think you are not understanding me 100% about the league being developmental or not. To me, ALL the leagues you mentioned are paid for by the league you mentioned. NHL, MLB and NBA. The UFL, like the XFL and USFL before are a professional football league or at least it is supposed to be. Sometimes I wonder because the league owns all the teams so it leaves itself open for questioning in that manner. As I previously asked to what extent would the league go to to ensure the Battlehawks host a playoff game to me, I think, the league looks at itself as a business first, not to develop these players. You can talk about player 54 all the league wants to, but it’s really 67 and it’s really a business. To that extent, to me, it is a business. The NFL doesn’t provide cash to the league to help it develop its players like the other leagues do. I like the fact the league can coach up players, helping them develop them for the UFL or NFL, but to call it a developmental league does NOT help a business make money. At this point I think there have been 20-30 players that have played in a NFL game out of over 1200 -1500 players that have been signed by the UFL, USFL or XFL so I think it is far to say that most players are not developing into NFL players. There are more practice squad and pre-season performers, but those that play in an NFL game are not worth the cost the UFL puts into having these teams. It is a business first and foremost. All I am asking is not to advertise this as a development league, because people in big cities won’t watch, which means FOX might not feel the league is worth it and then Redbird might say this expense is too great and the league is out of business. IF you want the business to thrive, just call it a professional football league. e.g. If I went out on a first date, I might want to talk about some of my better qualities not my lesser ones. In football terms that means winning and talking about quality and excellence. I get the idea that this league helps develop players and I get that Ashton Jeanty is not going to be signed by the Generals this season like Hershel Walker was in 1983. The best thing for the league is to play good football, officiate well, announce well and notice the players as more than a gladiater they throw in a ring. The league is improving the last few weeks, but they still have an agenda that is not totally football, first. Helping put football first will help the league be viewed as a professional football league. Even if the talent in this league is in about the 5-10 percentile when compared with the NFL. And remember something we all deserve our own opinion. I am not telling you to feel as I do, but I am explaining my thoughts on why I think calling it developmental is detrimental to the league. That is all.