Birmingham Stallions head coach Skip Holtz appeared on 3 Man Front (Jocks 94.5) on November 14, 2024, discussing the UFL’s stability, roster size, expansion, schedule, and plans for the 2025 season. The interview provided insights into league operations, player development, and the growing pipeline between the UFL and NFL.
On League Stability and Financial Backing
The UFL, after the merge and short runway for the 2024 season sounds like it exceeded expectations in both viewership and player development. Holtz highlighted this success with:
“Right now, when you look at the visibility, the development of the players, where the players are going, I would say it’s a 10 out of 10 for what they thought this league would become. When you look at the television ratings, I think it’s a 10 out of 10 with what they thought it would be to where it is right now. We’re outdrawn Major League Soccer. We’re out drawing some of the NBA playoffs.”
On Player Development Pipeline
The league has become a proven pathway to the NFL, with teams recognizing the quality of players coming from the UFL:
“I think the UFL has become a very valid and valuable tool for the NFL teams because they are getting polished products that are ready to step in and play because of the level that they’re playing and the development they’re having in this league.”
On 2025 Roster Construction
This part is news as it looks like the league is expanding its training camp roster size. The training camp roster size post-merger was 75. In the USFL and XFL, it was smaller:
“Right now we probably have about 40 players that have resigned right now that you know you can lose any one of them tomorrow… We’re going to be able to carry 64 to camp this year is what the magic number, I believe is. And then we’re going to have to cut down to 50.”
On 2025 Schedule Release
Fans awaiting the 2025 schedule won’t have to wait much longer, as Holtz shared during the interview that schedules will be announced soon, along with Friday night games:
“Schedules will probably be released in the next week or two… I know there’s a lot of talk about maybe adding some Friday night games… I think it’s going to be an awesome window of Friday night in the spring.”
On League Expansion
The UFL is planning significant growth with team expansion and eventual market-specific locations:
“I think you’re going to see it go from eight teams to 10 teams. I think you’re going to see it start to enlarge. And I think it’s going to go even more when they start selling to put these teams into their individual markets.”
The wide-ranging interview with three-time UFL champion coach Skip Holtz revealed several key developments for the 2025 season. The league’s strong financial backing through Fox and Redbird Capital has created stability, with plans to expand to 10 teams and eventually move teams to their home markets.
The Birmingham Stallions are actively building their roster, with 40 players already resigned, and plans to bring 64 players to camp. Fans can expect the 2025 schedule to be released within the next two weeks, featuring a potential new Friday night game window. Most significantly, Holtz highlighted the UFL’s success as a developmental league, noting its strong television ratings and growing reputation as a pathway to the NFL. The Stallions will begin their title defense in March 2025, with training camp opening in February.
Fans can hear the full interview by visiting Jocks 94.5’s website or local radio archives. The station broadcasts in the Birmingham area on 94.5 FM. Additionally, fans can meet Coach Holtz and UFL executives at a fan event tonight at Cahaba Brewing Company starting at 5:00 PM, where season tickets will be available for purchase.
