UFL co-owner Mike Repole last week announced the Columbus Aviators at Historic Crew Stadium, detailing a "local hero strategy" giving Columbus priority on players within a 100-mile radius, explaining his vision of "arena football outdoors," setting ticket price targets under $200 for families, and stating his goal is for players to leave the league after one year to reach the NFL.
Repole also revealed he has rule changes planned that he has not yet shared with league officials. The announcement opened with a video message from John Gruden.
John Gruden Opens Press Conference via Video
The event began with a surprise video message from former NFL coach John Gruden.
"Hey boys. Oh, yeah. Let's go. Let's go. Let's see you guys. This is John Gruden here. I'm an Ohio Buckeye. I love Ohio State. I went to date. But I just heard the NFL has got a new team, the Columbus Aviators, man. That is so exciting. They're going to be playing at the historic Cruise Stadium. What a unbelievable time this is for the NFL to join forces with Columbus, Ohio. Let's go, Aviators."
Gruden's involvement shows the UFL is leveraging his connection to Barstool Sports and his appeal to younger audiences. Repole had previously indicated Gruden would be involved with the league in some capacity, whether as a coach or in marketing. This video message suggests he is helping promote the league's expansion.
The "Local Hero Strategy" - 100-Mile Radius Rule
Repole detailed plans to stock the Aviators roster with Ohio State and regional college players.
"The biggest thing we're going to do is within In a 100-mile radius, every player that comes out of the Ohio State program, their first… If they want to continue playing football, they'll be playing here. If not, every team within a 100-mile radius… There were other colleges, obviously, we're going to try to get as many Ohio State players, I don't know, 20 or 25, graduate every year, maybe 10 or 15 get drafted. I don't know if six or seven make it. But how many of those? What do you call it? The Local Hero strategy. We already have a quarterback from Ohio State. Now, hopefully, he'll go to some of his ex-teamates, hopefully guys that can catch the ball and run a little bit, and that's it."
Repole used the term "local hero strategy" to describe giving Columbus priority on players from schools within a 100-mile radius. Cardale Jones, the team ambassador and former Ohio State national championship quarterback, is the first example.
The strategy aims to put 20-25 former Buckeyes on the roster to create immediate fan connections. This is more specific than what he told other outlets - he confirmed a 100-mile radius rule. This is a tactic he used for his other brands thought the years. it is not about local media, TV Commercials or press releases, its about influencers.
Rule Changes Coming That Even CEO Doesn't Know About
Repole revealed he has plans to modify rules but is keeping them secret for now.
"We're going to have some rule changes, which I haven't told Russ about or other ones that are in my head I haven't shared yet. We want to have some things that are going to be fun. We have to be different. We have to be different. These moves to these venues is just 1% of what difference is. We're going to do something really, really special."
This suggests Repole has plans for rule modifications to differentiate the UFL from the NFL, but he is keeping them secret even from league CEO Russ Brandon. The comment that moving to smaller stadiums is "just 1% of what difference is" implies significant changes are coming to gameplay, presentation, or league structure.
See Greg Parks article on UFL Football Ops and Repole.
Goal is for Players to Leave After One Year
Repole set expectations for player development and tenure in the league.
"For me, when I see the Columbus Aviators, and I talk to the Columbus Aviators, and I talk to the 60 players that are on this team, my goal is for me not to have them back here next year. Our goal is for them to go to the next level. In a couple of years, I want to watch the NFL, and I want to see 500 players that came through the XFL. Well, not that I said XFL because that's what Ross said, and the NFL. I want to see them come out and know that they came through this either one year, two years, and three years. I don't want to be harsh because I was saying, think big, dream bigger. But if in three years, you can't, we can't, and you can't get to the next level, then you know what? You might be 24, 25. It might be, think about coaching."
Repole's goal is annual roster turnover because players should be moving up to the NFL. This positions the UFL as a true developmental league rather than a permanent alternative. His comment about telling 24-year-olds to consider coaching after three years shows he expects rapid player development or career transitions.
This angle, I get what he is trying to say, but this is something the fans are not buying into. The best players not in the NFL should be in the UFL, regardless of age.. Full Stop
Teams Will Stay 10 Days for Back-to-Back Home Games
Repole detailed plans for increased player presence in host cities.
"Early within the first five games of the regular season, when Columbus has a home-to-home, back-to-back season, we'll get them on a Thursday, Friday, and they'll stay 10 straight days, work with the mayor, community work, go meet kids in school, go out there. We might have a Friday fan fest here the weekend before the game. We really want to be part of the local community. You can't be this national football brand in Allington, headquartered in maybe Connecticut or New York. I don't even know if we have a headquarters, and then just not be here."
The hub model keeps costs down by having all teams practice in Arlington, Texas during the week. However, for back-to-back home games, Columbus will host its team for 10 straight days to build community connections.
This addresses the criticism that spring leagues feel disconnected from their host cities. The Friday fan fest idea suggests the league is planning significant pre-game events.
Ticket Prices: Family of 5 for Under $200
Repole confirmed specific pricing targets for affordability.
"I mean, ticket prices to me are so important. I mean, if it's a pro game, and I don't know how it is with the Ohio State, I mean, family of four or five, parking is going to be more expensive than one of our tickets. To me, if the ticket price It could be anywhere between $25 and $75. Hopefully, a family of five comes in here for under $200. They get a great time, great experience, great football. Not only they come back next time, they come back with two other families of of 15."
The $25-$75 ticket range with a $200 total cost for a family of five positions the UFL well below NFL and major college football pricing. Repole's emphasis on repeat attendance with additional families suggests the business model prioritizes building a fan base over maximizing per-game revenue.
The Vision: Arena Football Outdoors
Repole explained his core strategic concept for the league.
"So now, what was the vision that I spoke to my team with? How do we do arena football outdoors? 10 years ago, these stadiums, the Orlando Stadium was built in 2017. I think Costaura Cruise Stadium in Columbus was built in 2014. This stadium was built in 2019. The ability now that you can take football and play inside these amazing soccer facilities is really, really special."
"When you put football in a stadium like this, there isn't a bad seat. The worst seat here is the best seat I've had in my life until about 10 years ago. It's amazing. And the action of football where there's a big play every play, whether it's a hit, whether it's a sack, whether it's a fumble, whether it's a touch down, that's going to play so well here."
The "arena football outdoors" concept captures Repole's entire stadium strategy. He noted that 10 years ago these venues did not exist, which explains why previous spring football attempts failed.
His claim that the worst seat at Crew Stadium is better than most seats he has ever had shows why he believes the intimate venue works for football.
Summary
Mike Repole announced the Columbus Aviators at Historic Crew Stadium with a video message from John Gruden opening the event. Repole detailed a "local hero strategy" giving Columbus priority on players within a 100-mile radius, with plans to stock the roster with 20-25 former Ohio State players.
He revealed he has rule changes planned that he has not yet shared with league CEO Russ Brandon, saying the stadium moves are "just 1% of what difference is."
Repole stated his goal is for players not to return after one year because they should be moving up to the NFL, and told players if they cannot reach the next level after three years they should consider coaching. He explained the "arena football outdoors" vision, noting these soccer-specific stadiums did not exist when past spring leagues failed. Teams will stay in Columbus for 10 days during back-to-back home games for community engagement. Ticket prices will range from $25-$75 with a target of under $200 for a family of five.
Cardale Jones, the 2014 national championship quarterback, was announced as team ambassador. The Columbus Aviators will play five home games starting in spring 2026.