Both ESPN, which owns part of the UFL, and Sports Business Journal have reported that the UFL players and the United Football League have reach a deal that is for the 2025 and 2026 season. While no official announcement has been made yet, it looks like the UFL players got what they wanted.
Per Sports Business Journal;
According to UFPA leadership, members would see their full-season salary increase from $55,000 now to $62,005 this year, retroactive to the opening of camp, with another increase to $64,000 scheduled for 2026. More than half of that initial $7,005 increase would be paid for by eliminating a separate $4,000 housing stipend, which makes the immediate raise effectively 5.1%.
Players also got the main thing they wanted. Year round health insurance for themselves and family.
players would now have health insurance for themselves and dependents in the offseason, via a blend of extended active coverage and the UFL’s promise to subsidize COBRA coverage for five months each offseason.
This is important for players, as pointed out by ESPN. Players after the age of 26 can no longer on their parents health insurance. It could take a player two or three years on Spring Football to get on an NFL roster so this bridges that gap, so more players after the age of 26 would stay in the league.
President of Sports Solidarity, Harry Marino, led the negations on behalf of the UFLPA. Per ESPN.
I think this is a reflection of the fact that the UFL and the UFPA ultimately wanted to come together to reach a sustainable deal that will ensure that spring football will be here to stay," said Harry Marino, president of Sports Solidarity and the UFPA's lead negotiator for the CBA. "And as hard-fought as the negotiation was, I think this is turning the page and saying, 'OK, now we're going to work in partnership to make sure this thing lasts and succeeds.'"
Michigan Panthers quarterback Danny Etling was quote in both articles talking about the deal.
"It's good not only for the league investors, but just for the league in general to give it some stability," Etling said. "So then we're not in a negotiation next year trying to do the same thing, having this go into the season, but also just for the players having the ability to have some consistency there, for players planning with their families and trying to get guys to return for multiple seasons."
UFL New Contract Details
- Minimum salary increase from $55,000 to $62,005 for players who participate in all 10 regular-season games
- Minimum salary will increase to $64,000 in 2026
- Year-round health care eligibility for all players
- Roster increases from 42 to 43 active players, with camp invitees up from 58 to 64
- Player bonuses: $7,500 for league MVP, $5,000 for championship team members
- Limited padded practices to two per week
- Formalized disciplinary process
- Three meals instead of one on game days
- Guaranteed access to medical records
- Players' choice of cleats
- Creation of a labor-management committee meeting regularly
- Additional bonuses: $500 for player of the week, $5,000 for players of the year
- Established player grievance process
- Labor management committee will meet three times per year
UFL News Hub will have a full breakdown of all the details when they are available. This deal looks fair on both sides and will bring even more stability to the UFL. Both sides know they need each other and want this Spring Football League to survive.
Despite the ratings and attendance. It looks like there will be a UFL in 2026.