UFL DISPUTE ENDS AS PLAYERS, LEAGUE FIND ACCORD
The player concerns that threatened season two of the United Football League appear to have been addressed to the satisfaction of both parties, according to sources.
Although the players insisted that they were not necessarily prepared to withhold their services while the dispute over pay, healthcare and more was ongoing, their union — the United Football Players Association — went as far as filing claims of unfair labour practices against the UFL as collective bargaining negotiations remain in stalemate.
Now, however, Sports Business Journal, amongst others, reports that the UFPA has reached a deal with the league, with the players securing immediate salary increases and the health insurance provision they demanded.
According to UFPA leadership, players’ full-season salaries would increase from $55,000 to $62,005, made retroactive to the opening of preseason training camp, and then to $64,000 ahead of the 2026 campaign. Players will now gain health insurance for themselves and dependents during the offseason, via a combination of extended active coverage and a promise from the league to subsidise COBRA coverage — which ‘gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances’ — for five months each offseason.
“What we were asking for wasn’t to put this league in any sort of existential threat,” Michigan Panthers QB Danny Etling was quoted as saying. “We were always aware of that, and we tried to make very fair offers, very rational offers. [The outcome is] actually giving this league more survivability, more sustainability, for the players, the league and any investors, as we’re not in another negotiation next year, trying to do the same thing. But [it also works] for the players by having some consistency there, for players planning with their families and trying to get guys to return for multiple seasons.”
The new contract also provides for active rosters to by increase by one player, to 43, with camp invitees jumping from 58 to 64, and individual bonuses, including $7,500 for the league MVP and $5,000 for all members of the championship team.
Players also agreed to a wide-ranging series of work rules, including the limitation of padded practices to two per week, a formalised disciplinary process, guaranteed access to medical records, the creation of a labour management committee and, clearly important to some, the freedom to choose their own cleats.
“I think this is a reflection of the fact that the UFL and the UFPA ultimately wanted to come together to reach a sustainable deal that will ensure that spring football will be here to stay,” the union’s lead negotiator, Harry Marino, told ESPN. “And as hard-fought as the negotiation was, I think this is turning the page and saying, ‘Okay, now we’re going to work in partnership to make sure this thing lasts and succeeds.'”
The deal remains pending upon final approval from the UFL itself.
Week four of the 2025 UFL season kick off tonight (Friday 18th April) when the Memphis Showboats meet Etling’s Panthers in Detroit.