NFL analyst points out reasons for “so-so” attendance at UFL season opener

Despite the merger of the USFL and XFL to form a spring football league, the UFL started this weekend with underwhelming attendance. It was expected that the elimination of two competing leagues would result in higher numbers.

Instead, according to NFL analyst Mike Florio, when lower numbers are present, a vicious cycle is created where fans struggle to feel enthusiastic. This is due to the fact that as they witness empty seats on television, it only reinforces the belief that the game is not as significant and causes viewers to lose interest. Florio stated:

“The NFL had a blackout rule for decades because it wanted televised games to look like a big deal with images of full stands. The inverse is also true; empty stands will make it harder for fans at home to feel compelled to watch.”

In addition, he scolded the UFL organizers for choosing to schedule the opening during March Madness, as well as the return of baseball on television. He further remarked:

“It’s not exactly an ideal weekend to make a dent in the Nielsen numbers, which is another piece of constructive criticism for spring football leagues that are already facing strong headwinds. Put more bluntly, why start this weekend, with the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournament in the process of forging its final four, and with baseball back in full bloom?”

Analyzing UFL attendance data

The first game of the season was played in front of a crowd of 14,153 fans between the Arlington Renegades and the Birmingham Stallions. The second match featured the Michigan Panthers, with 9,444 fans in attendance, facing off against the St. Louis Battlehawks at home.

The inaugural game took place at the Choctaw Stadium, which boasts a football capacity of 25,000. However, there were over 10,000 vacant seats. The second game at Ford Field was even more disappointing, with only below 10,000 spectators filling a stadium that can hold 65,000. This resulted in over 55,000 empty seats.

According to Mike Florio’s suggestion, it might be wise to begin with smaller stadiums to create a more vibrant atmosphere and give the appearance of a fuller audience on television. In addition, the St. Louis Battlehawks could be a more promising location for future seasons as they have a history of drawing larger crowds. This can possibly be linked to the NFL’s decision to relocate the Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

The UFL can consider multiple solutions and evaluate each one to determine the most effective option. However, they cannot ignore the fact that changes must be made in order to ensure the organization’s sustainability and maintain strong attendance.