Key Points:

  • UFPA voted in as new players union for UFL
  • NLRB recognizes UFPA as official union
  • Former USFL GM Dennis Polian joins as executive advisor

New Union Emerges After Months of Uncertainty

The United Football League (UFL) has a new players union heading into the 2025 season. The United Football Players Association (UFPA) has been officially voted in by players and recognized by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). This development comes nearly three months after the previous union and United Steelworkers departed from the UFL. The UFPA will now represent player interests in the upcoming season.

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UFL News Hub talked with UFPA Head Kenneth Farrow last month about what was going on with the UFL Players Union, the NFL players union and what happened with the USFLPA and United Steelworkers.

Union History in Spring Football

Spring football leagues introduced player unions two years ago. The USFL Players Association formed for the inaugural 2022 USFL season, while the XFL operated without a union in 2023. When both leagues merged for the 2024 UFL season the USFLPA turned into the UFLPA. The United Football Players Association (UFPA) was established after the 2020 XFL bankruptcy and was not a part of the UFLPA. You can learn all about what happened in the video above.

Offseason Union Withdrawal

The offseason saw a significant change when the United Steelworkers, which backed the UFLPA, withdrew from the UFL or the UFL players were no longer interested in working with the Steelworkers. This decision left players without union representation for several months. The recent vote to establish the UFPA as the new union fills this void in player advocacy.

UFPA Leadership and Structure

Kenneth Farrow and Nick Temple will lead the UFPA as they have since 2020. The organization has expanded its team, bringing on former Memphis Showboats General Manager Dennis Polian as an executive advisor. Jake Payne, a former St. Louis Battlehawks player, serves on the executive staff. Ryan Cave, previously involved with USFL union activities, also holds an executive staff position.

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Looking Ahead to the 2025 Season

As the UFL season approaches, attention will focus on the UFPA’s impact. The shift in union representation presents an opportunity for new initiatives benefiting players. Fan’s will watch closely to see what the UFPA can achieve for UFL players in the coming season and what theUFL owners are willing to give as the league has its true first full season after the merger.

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Mark Perry Editor
Mark Perry, a devoted sports journalist and founder of UFL News Hub, has been a key figure in XFL, USFL and UFL coverage since 2018.

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