Is USFL getting more revenue than Dwayne Johnson's XFL? Exploring numbers after big weekend

St Louis Battlehawks v San Antonio Brahmas
USFL and XFL are the NFL's 'little brothers'.

The USFL and XFL will always be compared, as they're the little brothers of the National Football League. The USFL and the XFL are spring football leagues and have significantly less pull than the NFL. However, they still make decent money for their efforts.

The FOX-owned USFL completed its first round of fixtures over the weekend. So, it would be a decent time to analyze whether it can compete with Dwayne Johnson's XFL in terms of revenue. So without further ado, let's compare two of American football's biggest competitions.

While the USFL is yet to announce its official revenue following a big opening weekend, it's unlikely it will be able to compete with the XFL. Johnson's league racked up $20 million in 2020, a partial season. In comparison, the USFL has made about $7.5 million per year since its inception.

Furthermore, the average player salary in the XFL is $5,000 per week plus a $1,000 bonus per win. That's marginally less than the $5,350 per week USFL players make, even though their winning bonus is $850 per win.

Last but not least, the XFL has more prominent broadcasting brands behind them, such as ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and FX, while the USFL is backed by FOX, FS1, NBC, Peacock and USA.


What's the difference between 2023 USFL and XFL?

There are three significant differences between the USFL and XFL. They're as follows:

#1 Rules

The USFL is closer to the NFL, as it uses a hybrid system that involves aspects of the NFL and College Football. The only real difference between the two leagues is the rules regarding stopping the clock.

Meanwhile, the XFL doesn't shy away from switching up the rules. Teams can attempt a simple onside kick any time during the game to retain possession or a fourth and 15 conversion from their 25-yard line in the fourth quarter.

#2 Budget

It was reported that the USFL has a budget of $150 million for the next three years, financed by its lead broadcaster, FOX Entertainment.

Meanwhile, the XFL was just last year purchased for $15 million by an ownership group led by Dwayne Johnson.

#3 Background

The USFL was founded in 1982 and operated for three years before going on a long hiatus.

Meanwhile, the XFL was initially founded in 2001 by Vince McMahon. It only lasted one year before going on a long break. It returned in 2020 but closed early because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thankfully, Dwayne Johnson and his co-owners brought the league back and made it a success story.

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