The UFL is a new spring football league that faced challenges with low attendance and empty stadiums in its debut. While some cities embraced their teams, most struggled to attract fans. The first game between the Birmingham Stallions and Arlington Renegade drew 14,153 fans, while the second game with the Michigan Panthers hosting the St. Louis Battlehawks had 9,444 attendees at Ford Field. To avoid images of empty seats that can turn off viewers, it might have been wiser to have the Battlehawks play at home initially.
The UFL has games airing on Fox and ESPN over the weekend, but faces challenges in generating strong ratings due to competing events like the NCAA basketball tournament and baseball games. Starting quietly and building momentum is possible, but a strong start is preferable for success in the long term. Despite not using established names like “XFL” or “USFL,” the UFL needs a significant impact to succeed financially.
