The UFL ratings for week 7 are in and once again, the UFL delivered another thrilling weekend of last-second upsets, a 62-yard field goal, and the UFL’s answer to “Mama Kelce.” Did fans tune in or did they miss out on all the excitement? According to Mike Mitchell, @ByMikeMitchell on X, this week’s numbers are good news for the league.
Saturday 5/11
St. Louis v. Birmingham (FOX): average 758,000 viewers
The telecast peaked from 7-7:15pm with 1.452 million viewers
Attendance: 14,056
On Saturday evening, fans watched the undefeated Birmingham Stallions take on the St. Louis Battlehawks. In what might be a preview of the Championship game next month, two of the best teams in the league faced off in a hard-fought battle that ended in favor of the Stallions 30-26.
Stallions quarterback Adrian Martinez passed 21/33 for 230 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He contributed another 60 yards rushing on seven carries.
Jacob Saylors was the offensive star for the Battlehawks, scoring three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving. Wide receiver Hakeem Butler had 89 yards on seven catches.
Memphis v. Arlington (ESPN):586,436 viewers
Attendance: 8,042
On Saturday afternoon, fans saw the Arlington Renegades claim their first win of the season over the slumping Memphis Showboats. Making up for lost time, Luis Perez and the Renegades torched the Showboats by a score of 47-23. Perez was terrific (27/32 for 296 yards and three touchdowns). Fellow QB, Lindsey Scott, Jr. contributed a 9-yard touchdown to Sal Cannella to start the game.
Renegades running back De’Veon Smith had an outstanding day rushing for 101 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns.
Memphis struggled throughout the afternoon despite Coach John DeFilippo’s effort to spark the offense by starting Troy Williams at quarterback. Williams showed impressive speed and mobility with a rushing touchdown. But it came at a heavy price when he left the game with a shoulder injury.
Sunday, 5/12
Michigan Panthers v. D.C. Defenders (ESPN) 665,001 viewers
Attendance: 12,222
The Michigan Panthers locked up a playoff berth by defeating the D.C. Defenders on Sunday afternoon by a score of 22-9. Head coach Mike Nolan rotated backup quarterbacks Brian Lewerke (5/13 for 37 yards) and Bryce Perkins (11/13 for 116 yards) throughout the afternoon to fill in for injured QB Danny Etling.
The game’s offensive stars were running back Matthew Colburn with 137 yards on 16 carries and Wes Hills with one touchdown on 10 carries for 37 yards. plus an additional 13 yards receiving.
In a salute to Mother’s Day, ESPN sideline reporter Kayla Burton introduced us to the UFL’s answer to Donna Kelce, wide receiver Marcus Simms’ mother, Molly Simms. Holding aloft a large sign that read, “I breastfed Marcus Simms,” Molly explained, “That’s why he’s so fast!”
San Antonio v. Houston (ESPN): 572,581 viewers
Attendance: 6,134
In a tight defensive battle between the Houston Roughnecks and the San Antonio Brahmas, the two teams were held scoreless for the first quarter and tied 3-3 at the half. Later in the game, Roughnecks kicker J. J. Molson kicked a stunning 62-yard field goal, his third from the 50-plus mark.
Once again, the special teams players were the difference in the game. With only a second left on the clock, San Antonio kicker, Ryan Santosa delivered a stunning 15-12 come-from-behind victory for the Brahmas with a 51-yard field goal.
What do these rating numbers mean for the UFL? One week ago, FOX hit a high of 1.2 million viewers. This week’s Saturday night game surpassed that figure with 1.4 million viewers. Saturday night’s FOX broadcast also compared favorably against a Stallions-Breakers game from one year ago that drew 703,000 viewers. On another positive note, the Stallions achieved a season-high attendance record with more than 14,000 in attendance.
As expected, the other three games on ESPN drew a smaller TV audience. Although the subscription-based cable numbers were lower than FOX, compared to the cable ratings on FS1 from one year ago which averaged 228,000 viewers, this weekend’s numbers drew an average of 608,000 viewers and demonstrated a huge increase in cable viewership.
Next weekend, tune in to watch the Michigan Panthers host the Memphis Showboats on Saturday, May 18th. The game will be televised on FOX at 4:00 pm EDT.
In the second game on Saturday, May 18th, the Birmingham Stallions will look to keep their unbeaten record alive when they host the Houston Roughnecks. The game will be televised on ESPN2 at 8:00 pm EDT.
On Sunday, May 19th at noon EDT, the D.C. Defenders will visit the St. Louis Battlehawks in a game with huge playoff implications for the Defenders. That game will be televised on ABC.
Also on Sunday, May 19th at 4:00 pm EDT, the San Antonio Brahmas will host the Arlington Renegades. The game will be televised on FOX.
Check your local listings for details.
