RedBird founder and managing partner Gerry Cardinale starts 2024 with an important venture and announcement.
RedBird's XFL, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and Dany Garcia merge with Fox's USFL to create the United Football League (UFL). It will become the premier spring football league, featuring 8 teams competing for the title starting March 30th.
The games will be broadcasted on several Disney-owned channels – ABC, ESPN, Fox, and FS1. The announcement was made public by Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson on Sunday, December 31st, during ongoing youth football games.
Until now, the XFL and USFL were two separate and major organizations managing American football championships outside the NFL. They will now form a single entity through a partnership: 50% owned by XFL Properties, a group led by Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and Gerry Cardinale's RedBird; and 50% owned by the National Spring Football League Enterprises, under Fox Corporation.
Partner Commentary
Eric Shanks – Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer of FOX Sports
“FOX is football, and the success of the USFL has proven that there’s a bright future for spring football. The opportunity to bring together our two leagues – each with a commitment to advancing broadcast practices, rule innovations and the community – only furthers the potential of the United Football League and solidifies its spot on the sports calendar.”
Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN
“The United Football League – a powerful combination of the XFL and USFL – will provide passionate sports fans with an entertaining, innovative, and action-packed season,” Pitaro said. “With compelling storytelling across traditional and digital platforms, fan-friendly innovations, and tremendous reach, this visionary league is well-positioned, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”
Dany Garcia – Founder, CEO and Chairwoman of The Garcia Companies
“This new venture is possible because of a shared visionary mindset, a profound passion for the game, and first-hand experience living and creating the opportunities that football makes possible. As a unified spring league, we are able to deepen our commitment to unlocking and surpassing the dreams of our players, coaches, staff and fans. This league represents continued legacy and evolution, and we look forward to building the universe of spring football.”
Dwayne Johnson – Founder and CEO of Seven Bucks Companies
“From day one, our mission has been to expand the game of football and be a league of opportunity, culture and innovation. As we come together to create the UFL, we can build something powerful, exciting and very cool for football fans - a spring league with lasting impact for all the players with a dream to play pro football and the ‘hardest workers in the room’ mentality to make their dreams come true.”
Gerry Cardinale – Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital Partners
“When you combine the entertainment and marketing expertise of Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, the broadcast and network reach of FOX and ESPN, and the strategic capital and company building mentality of RedBird, there is a tremendous opportunity to achieve something unique – a valuable and scalable live event entertainment platform that will continue to work closely with the NFL on innovation and player development and have a legitimate shot at becoming one of the top professional leagues in the country after the big four.”
