UFL co-owner Mike Repole joined Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. on The Golics on ESPN Radio after the league announced on September 23 that Rhode Island and Colorado will join the UFL in 2027. Utah and Oklahoma follow in 2028. That takes the league to 10 teams.
"I've been trying to fix and fly this plane at the same time," he said of his 16 months working on the league with ESPN, Fox and RedBird Capital.
Why Rhode Island and Colorado
Repole said the formula is "the right market with the right venue and the right fan base."
"When you look at Rhode Island, having a team in Rhode Island, 45 minutes south of Boston, Pawtucket, close to Connecticut, 10 minutes from Providence. When you look at Colorado Springs, 70 miles south of Denver, these are emerging cities, growing cities."
Both moves are relocations. NBC Sports reported that the Houston Gamblers move to Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket and the Birmingham Stallions move to Weidner Field in Colorado Springs. The league says Weidner Field, at 6,035 feet, will be the highest-elevation home venue in pro football. Utah (America First Field) and Oklahoma City (MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium) start in 2028.
Small Stadiums, College Towns
Repole tied the new markets to the three teams the UFL added for 2026 in Louisville, Columbus and Orlando.
"We're picking these big emerging markets, but maybe they have one pro team, maybe they have two, maybe they have none. Big college towns."
He pointed to soccer venues that hold between 10,000 and 25,000 fans. "It's arena football played outdoors," he said.
In 2026, the Louisville Kings played at Lynn Family Stadium, the Columbus Aviators at Historic Crew Stadium and the Orlando Storm at Inter&Co Stadium, per the 2026 UFL season page. Louisville won the title in its first year.
The NFL Pipeline
On players chasing the NFL, Repole named two. "Watching Brandon Aubrey kick a 60-yard field goal this week," he said, and "Tay Martin for Detroit got a game ball."
Aubrey kicked for the USFL's Birmingham Stallions before the Cowboys signed him. He hit a 60-yarder on September 20 in a 30-13 win over Washington. Martin led Columbus this spring with 42 catches for 483 yards. Dan Campbell gave him a game ball for special teams play in Detroit's season-opening overtime win over New Orleans.
The league announced September 3 that 45 UFL players made NFL active rosters (19) or practice squads (26).
"Most of the players are staying with us, but if 10 or 15 move up and another 20 move down, it's been great," Repole explained. He said the goal is "a league that can stand on its own for the next 50 years."
Four Points and No Punts
The UFL made field goals of 60 yards or more worth four points this year and banned punting from inside the opponent's 50-yard line until the two-minute warning, per FOX Sports.
"I'd rather see a 38-35 game than a 6-3 game," Repole said. "We're watching these kickers kick 60-yard field goals like they're extra points."
On punting, he said the game now runs "from the 40 to 40" instead of the 10 to the 10.
"There are so many teams now going for it on 4th and 4 from the 45 anyway. So we just took the decision-making out and it's really changed the game."
"I love punters, but watching them kick the ball to the 1-yard line and having the next team go 2 first downs and punt wasn't too exciting for me," he added.
"This Is Real Football"
On future rule changes, Repole set a limit. "We're not the Savannah Bananas," he said. "We're not going to be doing dances at halftime."
"We have the one foot in bounds, which I think the NFL should consider," he said. Penalty yardage could be next. "We might be looking at some of the penalty yardage," he admitted, adding that he does not want to see offenses facing 1st-and-40.
He also pointed to the league's replay audio with Dean Blandino and Mike Pereira, which UFL News Hub has covered.
"People watching at home, they don't want to go to a commercial break and find out they didn't get that first down or they didn't get that touchdown. Let me hear what they're saying."
What's Next
Rhode Island opens at home Friday, April 2, at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Colorado's home opener is Sunday, April 11, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. The league will reveal the Rhode Island team brand on October 18 and Colorado's on October 25.