The United Football League on Saturday entered into an exclusive partnership with the United States Army in which the Army has been named the Presenting Partner of the League. The two organizations will collaborate on leadership development initiatives, community engagement events and increasing awareness of the opportunities the Army and UFL offer young leaders and athletes.
The UFL and the Army will leverage each other’s platforms–including the broadcast and digital platforms of the UFL partners, which include FOX, Disney (ESPN/ABC), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia and –to reach diverse, new audiences across the nation.
As part of the agreement, the Army logo will be featured on all UFL gameday jerseys as well as on the 50-yard line at games. There will be Army activations at UFL games, including a spotlight honoring veterans and current Army personnel who have served our nation. The UFL and the Army will also work together to host community events and create programs to raise awareness and recruit the next generation of leaders in local UFL markets.
“It is an honor and a privilege to partner with the Army, underscoring our continued commitment towards expanding opportunities and empowering athletes to achieve their dreams,” Russ Brandon, president and CEO of the United Football League, said in a press release.
The Army has renewed recruiting efforts after missing its fiscal 2023 target of 65,000 new contracts by 15 percent, according to the service. Army officials are also considering a plan to enlist college athletes by funding scholarships in exchange for military service, and the UFL partnership offers an opportunity to raise Army awareness with younger viewers- a Pentagon priority.
“We are proud to join together with the UFL to mutually invest in the future of our nation.” U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George said in a statement.
The UFL is a spring football platform, formed by the merging of the XFL and USFL in 2024 under the combined ownership of RedBird Capital Partners, FOX, Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson. The UFL has teams in Arlington, Texas; Birmingham, Ala.; Detroit, Mich; Houston, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Memphis, Tenn; St. Louis, Mo;, and Washington, D.C.
(This story has been updated in the headline and in the fifth paragraph with Army recruiting data.)
