BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The defending USFL champions are once again in the Playoffs as Birmingham will host the South Division Championship on Sunday, June 25, inside Protective Stadium.

To help pack Protective Stadium, WBRC FOX6 News and the USFL have partnered to offer fans a chance to get discounted tickets to the game.

“Anything can happen in the Playoffs,” Stallions Head Coach Skip Holtz said on Good Day Alabama Monday. “We’re going to play New Orleans for a third time. It’s the first time in like 38 years that there has been a playoff game here in Birmingham since the original USFL. So, we’re really excited for the opportunity to host it.”

Birmingham and New Orleans are tied on the season, with the Breakers winning the first game 45-31. Birmingham picked up the win in their second meeting, winning 24-20 last month.

On the line this time, however, is an opportunity to play for a USFL Championship. It’s a unique game in that it is practically a home game for both teams.

Since the beginning of the 2023 season, Birmingham and New Orleans have shared a home in Protective Stadium.

Holtz said that, while it is indeed unique, he’s enjoyed the working relationship with the New Orleans staff.

“We’ve got to work together on a daily basis. We share facilities. We share a hotel. All our offices are on the same floor here at the hotel. There are a lot of unique things about it,” explained Holtz. “But we have a great relationship. He’s a great guy and I’ve enjoyed working with him. There’s give and take across the board. But, like we’ve both said, ‘Let’s make sure the South comes out to Birmingham.’ So right now, it’s going to play out. We’re looking forward to round three between the Birmingham Stallions and the New Orleans Breakers.”

Birmingham and New Orleans will kick off the USFL Playoffs on Sunday, June 25, at 6 p.m. inside Protective Stadium. For discounted tickets, click here.

https://www.wbrc.com/2023/06/19/birmingham-meet-new-orleans-division-championship-discounted-tickets-available/?ssp=1&darkschemeovr=1&setlang=en-US&safesearch=moderate

Sources have confirmed that James Morgan has rejoined the #Maulers. Morgan was with the #AZCardinals practice squad since 12/20. Morgan joins the competition for QB1 again.#usflnetwork #usfl #HammerTime pic.twitter.com/c5OYB2iYLP

— Web- The Top Maulers Content in the Universe! (@hammertime_web) January 12, 2023

BREAKING: More #USFL players have resigned with the league, after being part of the #XFL draft.

RB Reggie Corbin - @USFLPanthers
WR Rashard Davis - @USFLShowboats
OT Terry Poole - @USFLGenerals
S Cody Brown - @USFLStars

Seems like the new CBA is making an impact. Love it. pic.twitter.com/P8QrVOODVK

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) January 11, 2023

Well, this is amazing: 100 percent of @UnitedFBPlayers in our union voted today to ratify their first contract with the @USFL. More: https://t.co/L60FZ8lvrC #EverybodysUnion #1u pic.twitter.com/sI5rurldY9

— United Steelworkers #EverybodysUnion (@steelworkers) January 10, 2023

The 2022 All-USFL RB will NOT be taking his talents to the #XFL2023. 👀

cc: @xflanalyst https://t.co/sYYfgg1f3H

— Panthers Shadow (@USFLShadow) January 7, 2023

The word I got is @USFLGenerals & @USFLMaulers are headed to Canton. @USFLPanthers & @USFLStars will be in Detroit. Stay tuned as I gather stadium info for Michigan. The great news is four hubs for 2023!#USFLNetwork is always at work. Follow us or miss big news. @usflnetwork

— NJ Generals - USFL Network (@NJ_Generals) January 1, 2023

USFL names Ryan Jones as New Orleans Breakers GM

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — On Tuesday, the United States Football League announced that longtime New York Giants scout Ryan Jones has been named the general manager of the New Orleans Breakers.

First-year Breakers head coach John DeFilippo, who joined the team last month after the unexpected departure of Larry Fedora, selected Jones to oversee player personnel as the USFL enters Year 2 of the league’s revival from the 1980s.

“Ryan Jones is a fantastic talent evaluator and an even better person,” said DeFilippo. “I’ve known Ryan since 2005 when he was a New York Giants scout and I was the team’s quality control assistant coach. 

“Ryan earns the trust of everyone around him and I’m excited to work with him to build a team that delivers a USFL championship to New Orleans Breakers fans.”

Jones spent 15 years scouting for the Giants, including two of which led to Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011.

Both Jones and ‘Coach Flip’ inherit a 6-4 playoff team that finished as the USFL South division runner-up behind eventual league champion – the Birmingham Stallions.

Reporting directly to their respective head coaches, the eight USFL General Managers are:

• Ryan Jones (New Orleans Breakers)
• Billy Devaney (New Jersey Generals)
• Steve Kazor (Michigan Panthers)
• Bob Morris (Houston Gamblers)
• Zach Potter (Birmingham Stallions)
• Dave Razzano (Memphis Showboats)
• Michael Woods (Philadelphia Stars)
• Lonnie Young (Pittsburgh Maulers)

USFL Season 2 kicks off April 15, 2023.

USFL names Ryan Jones as New Orleans Breakers GM | WGNO.com

“We’re Home” – Professional Football Returns To Memphis With Iconic USFL Showboats

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Nov. 15, 2022) – USFL and city leaders announced today that the iconic Memphis Showboats have come home to the Bluff City.

Officials reached an agreement for the Memphis Showboats to play the USFL 2023 season at historic Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the 1980s team that featured Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White. The USFL announced the inaugural game will kickoff on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Fans can secure a place in history and lock in priority access to Memphis Showboats games by visiting Ticketmaster to make a ticket deposit for $25.

“We’re home,” said Daryl Johnston, USFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. ”The Showboats return to Memphis for the 2023 season. The USFL is appreciative of the tremendous support and commitment from the City of Memphis, Mayor Jim Strickland, and countless other community leaders for bringing professional football back to the Bluff City.”

The USFL also unveiled a new Memphis Showboats logo.

“I could not be happier to bring the Showboats back home to Memphis,” said Mayor Jim Strickland. “I have so many fond memories of going to USFL games. The atmosphere was amazing, the spring weather was beautiful, there was quality football, and it was an overall great experience. I know this time will be no different, and I cannot wait to go to the first game on April 16.”

Brian Woods, USFL President of Football Operations, noted the significant role that FedEx Corporation Founder Fred Smith has had in the Showboats returning to Memphis.

“The USFL is committed to building a strong partnership with Memphis community leaders, and we can’t thank Fred Smith enough for his personal support and vision to make today’s historic announcement possible,” said Woods. “Thanks to this legendary entrepreneur who is a prominent fixture in this community, the USFL and the Memphis Showboats have come home to stay.”

By balancing agility to take advantage of opportunities, an ambitious vision, and fiscal discipline, the USFL is the first major professional spring football league in nearly 40 years to complete a successful inaugural season and return for Season 2. During the USFL’s 12-week season in 2022, all eight teams were hosted by the City of Birmingham, Ala. In June, it was announced that the professional spring football league would expand across additional markets for the 2023 season, as the USFL incrementally locates teams into their own markets until all are eventually playing in front of their hometown fans.

“The USFL keeps our long-term commitments to fans and partners. We’re proud to make our first market expansion to Memphis, an original 1980s USFL city with a deep history as a terrific sports region,” said Johnston. “The USFL has come home to Memphis because fans here share our passion to celebrate football as much as we do. This is a game-changing homecoming with real economic impact. The City of Memphis will also host the Houston Gamblers during the 2023 season. The Gamblers and Showboats in Memphis together – sounds like we have a real rivalry brewing!”

Memphis Showboats Head Coach Todd Haley and Houston Gamblers Head Coach Kevin Sumlin will bring their teams to Memphis in March for the start of training camp. USFL Season 2 kickoff weekend on April 15-16 will start a 10-week regular season, followed by 2-week playoffs.

“Completing a remarkably successful inaugural season and preparing for a second season shows the USFL is a stable and professional league run by people with football experience,”  Johnston concluded. “In 2022, we accomplished every goal we set – high-quality, exciting, and competitive football, establishing a fan-friendly affordable and fun stadium experience, being a catalyst for the evolution of football through innovative rules, and achieving ratings success that gave viewers unprecedented access and the best football production on television. We showed our fans, our players and coaches, our communities, and our public and corporate partners that the USFL is here to stay.”

## USFL ##

“We’re Home” – Professional Football Returns To Memphis With Iconic USFL Showboats - City of Memphis - General News (memphistn.gov)

It can’t get much more official than this: although the @usfl has not formally confirmed its commitment to playing its inaugural season in Birmingham this spring, one sign downtown is pretty clear. #BirminghamStallions pic.twitter.com/kYfHjfbjSI

— Roy S. Johnson (@roysj) January 14, 2022

👀 🐴 @USFL pic.twitter.com/WZdrzRSnV1

— Edward Hartman (@EJHartmanCA) January 14, 2022

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The goal to bring the United States Football League to Birmingham for 2022 is another step closer to reality after a vote from the city council Tuesday. City leaders approved a resolution to allow the city and Birmingham Park and Recreation Board to execute an agreement with the USFL league to provide services to the USFL that do not exceed $500,000.

Under the agreement, the city would allow the league to use Legion Field, personnel, police, fire, and rescue for the new league.

https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/city-council-passes-last-hurdle-to-bring-usfl-to-birmingham/

The deal to allow the USFL to user LegionField is done.

@USFL UPDATE: @citycouncilbham just approved an agreement to allow the new spring league to play games at #LegionField and provide up to $500K in in-kind services. @USFLStallions

— @JonWVTM13 (@JonWVTM13) January 11, 2022