As the UFL’s season is set to kick off this Friday night, players continue to operate without a labor contract. UFL games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday on Fox, with a doubleheader on Sunday on ESPN, prompting both networks to devise backup plans. If a strike occurs, Front Office Sports reports that Fox might substitute UFL games with content from its inventory, possibly featuring shows like The Masked Singer or programs starring Gordon Ramsay. The Houston Roughnecks are set to host the St. Louis Battlehawks at 8 p.m. (ET) on Friday, while San Antonio and Arlington will face off in the 4 p.m. slot on Saturday.
Fox owns a 50 percent share in the UFL, and according to FOS, ESPN also plans to fill any programming gaps caused by a UFL strike with popular “evergreen” content, including its acclaimed 30 for 30 documentaries. UFL games are lined up for noon and 3 p.m. on ESPN this Sunday.
In light of the ongoing negotiations, Michigan Panthers safety Kai Nacua expressed to ESPN that “all options are on the table” if a contract resolution isn’t achieved. The primary issue appears to be health care, with players advocating for year-round health insurance.
Network executives are reportedly satisfied with the league’s performance, noting that the UFL averaged 816,000 viewers per game in its inaugural season in 2024, and the Championship Game averaged 1.6 million viewers. In comparison, the NHL managed an average of 504,000 viewers for the 2023-24 season, marking an eight-year high for its broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, and TNT.
However, the threat of a strike could jeopardize this momentum, sparking concern among fans. As one fan voiced:
As a UFL community we should be celebrating and rejoicing that the UFL returns tomorrow. Instead we are still talking about player strikes because some players magically want more money to appear out of thin air. The ONLY WAY to grow this league and its profits, is to play.
— Iowan Stallion (@IowanStallion) March 28, 2025
Here’s a teaser from ESPN for this new season:
“Everything you love about football – the action, energy & excitement – now in the spring. There truly is no offseason of football on ESPN.”
Sports marketing director Maggie Lewin provides insight into the making of ESPN’s #UFL kickoff weekend marketing anthem
🔗https://t.co/UbqOVx8f89 pic.twitter.com/0Ce8nh8kkW
— ESPN Front Row (@ESPNFrontRow) March 27, 2025
