Since we kicked off 2022, we’ve been hearing a lot more about the USFL and their plans. Starting things out, we reported on the 1st that the league would be conducting their draft in the last week of February. Shortly after that, the news was confirmed when PFT reported that the USFL will hold a player selection meeting Feb 22nd and 23rd.
We also learned some more detail on the head coaching duties and team structures. Just earlier today we reported that coaches will have full control of player personnel, and each team will have a Director of Football Ops to assist.
Well, the USFL just dropped a huge press release giving us even more details on the league structure. Just now, the USFL announced that they are set to provide a tuition and debt-free college degree program to all its players and staff.
The press release states:
USFL players and staff can enroll at Strategic Education’s Strayer University and Capella University, both institutionally accredited universities that support busy working adults in achieving their academic goals. Staff and players will be able to undertake tuition-free coursework online through Capella University or online and in-person at Strayer University, giving them the flexibility to pursue associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in business, healthcare, IT, and education, among others.
Beyond a salary and a win-bonus structure in play, this is just another incentive for folks to join the league; whether it’s on or off the field.
The new USFL is not affiliated with the original, but is sure to be exciting none-the-less. The league will be kicking off in April, with a projected date of the 15th.
With player selections around the corner, you can expect to hear the coaches sooner rather than later. Definitely before the teams start filling out their 38-man rosters in late Feb.
What do you think of the latest USFL news? Let us know down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.
You can read the full press release below:
USFL TO PROVIDE PLAYERS & STAFF TUITION-FREE, DEBT-FREE COLLEGE DEGREE PROGRAM
LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 5, 2022 – The United States Football League (USFL), a new professional football league launching in April 2022, is partnering with Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRA), a leader in online education, to offer its players and league staff a tuition-free, debt-free college degree program.
USFL players and staff can enroll at Strategic Education’s Strayer University and Capella University, both institutionally accredited universities that support busy working adults in achieving their academic goals. Staff and players will be able to undertake tuition-free coursework online through Capella University or online and in-person at Strayer University, giving them the flexibility to pursue associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in business, healthcare, IT, and education, among others.
“We are delighted to partner with Strategic Education, a market leader in online education in the United States,” said Edward Hartman, USFL Executive Vice President of Business Operations. “Athletic dreams often compete with educational goals, so we are hoping to reduce the burden by supporting USFL players and staff in their effort to achieve college degrees by proudly offering this free benefit.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the United States Football League to provide their players and staff with engaging and flexible degree programs,” said Robert Silberman, executive chairman of Strategic Education. “Strategic Education’s institutions have been educating adult learners for 130 years, and this innovative education benefit demonstrates the USFL’s strong leadership and care for their players.”
The USFL will launch in April with eight teams split into two divisions playing in one location. The Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, New Orleans Breakers, and Tampa Bay Bandits comprise the South Division, while the North Division features the Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, Philadelphia Stars, and Pittsburgh Maulers. Each team will play a 10-game schedule, semifinals between the top two teams in each division, and a championship game between division winners. The USFL has multi-year agreements with NBC Sports and FOX Sports, establishing both networks as official broadcast partners, with plans to nationally televise every game on either NBC, USA, Peacock, FOX, and FS1.
Brian Woods, a league co-founder, is the USFL’s President of Football Operations, and former Dallas Cowboys standout and longtime NFL on FOX game analyst Daryl Johnston is Executive Vice President, Football Operations. Former NFL Vice President of Officiating and FOX Sports’ NFL and college football rules analyst Mike Pereira is Head of Officiating, and FOX Sports’ Edward Hartman, serves as Executive Vice President, Business Operations.
The USFL is a new, independent football league controlled by FOX Sports through USFL HoldCo, LLC, a new business entity, and it is not associated or affiliated with the USFL of the 1980s or its owners. For more information, visit http://USFL2.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
