The UFL is growing its broadcast footprint heading into 2025. In a recent interview on Jox 94.5’s McElroy & Cubelic In The Morning, UFL Vice President Of Football Operations Daryl Johnston shared how the league increased its network TV games, Friday Night on FOX and venue partnerships. The talk centered on business growth since last year’s XFL-USFL merger.
UFL Bigger Network Coverage
Johnston points to slightly bigger network coverage as proof of the league’s rise:
“Last season, we were able to get, I think, 72% of our games on Fox or ABC. We’ve actually bumped that up a little bit this year to 74%. I think that that says a lot about what the league was able to accomplish from a viewership and a rating standpoint last season.”
The TV numbers show networks see value in the UFL product. More national games mean more eyes on the league and more advertising dollars. The league is focus on reach over revenue in 2025. With only one doubleheader and games on FOX Friday night the league is moving in the right direction.
Venue Partnerships Are Tough
Johnston pulls back the curtain on stadium deals:
“There’s so much more that goes into this behind the scenes. For me, this entire journey, going all the way back when we first started out legacy USFL, just to see how things work behind the curtain in different areas that I was never privy to as a player has been enlightening. To watch a group of people try to work with all these different moving parts in all these different venues with all these other events, whether it’s a sporting event, an entertainment event.”
Stadium partnerships are the issue with getting the schudle out. Since none of the venues are UFL only teams or even the main team. There are a lot of moving parts to get it done. The league has well juggling scheduling needs across its eight markets. The World Cup in 2025 did not help things.
UFL Player Recruitment
Johnston explains how player recruiting will change now that the NFL season is almost over:
“All of our general managers have done a really nice job, and it’s hard. You want to make sure that you’ve got your foundation that’s in place that you’re comfortable with, but you also want to allow to have the ability to add to those rosters as we get into right now this time of year, as the NFL season ends and we start to compete for the talent off the NFL rosters.”
The UFL now attracts NFL-caliber talent, showing its value as a development league. Teams keep core players while adding new faces from NFL cuts. Players need game tape and the UFL is the best way to do it.
UFL Reputation
Johnston shares a telling sign of league growth:
“Just having the Memphis general manager and head coach spots open up in the offseason and to see the quality of the candidates that were reaching out to us to see if they could get their name thrown into the hat and to be a part of the UFL. That’s confirmation of what we’re building.”
Ken Whisenhunt was a great get for the Memphis franchise. The league no longer needs to chase coaches.
Friday Night UFL Games On FOX
Johnston explains the move to Friday games:
“To be able to open up that Friday night window and get that something established where we can get off some of those things that have created issues for us on Saturdays, on Sunday, the first couple of years in spring football, I think everybody’s excited about it.”
Friday games give the UFL its own TV window, away from weekend sports competition.
The UFL enters 2025 with momentum. More network games, stable venues, and better talent show a league finding its footing. Johnston is always candid when getting interviewed.
Want more? Catch the full interview on the Jox 94.5 app or Jox 94.5.
