The United Football League’s (UFL) second season is scheduled to kick off this weekend with four games from March 28th to the 30th. However, without a labor contract between the league and the players union, a strike has not been ruled out.
The labor dispute has lingered throughout the offseason as players seek a base pay increase and year-round health benefits. Last year, the UFL’s base pay was USD 55,000. The lack of progress in negotiation prompted all UFL quarterbacks to skip a preseason camp in Texas in protest.
According to sources, the healthcare issue is the driving force as players want year-round coverage or a pay increase to afford their insurance.
UFL president Russ Brandon told media sources that the bargaining agreement is still not done and that the league will continue to talk to the union with long-term sustainability in mind. Brandon told the media, “Our negotiating team has a lot of respect for them. We take great pride in how we treat our players. We have certainly made concessions on our end, and we hope to have something done.”
When asked how these negotiations could affect opening weekend, Brandon said, “We don’t have anything agreed to yet. We’re a start-up. There’s a reason these leagues have never seen two or three consecutive years, and we’re hoping to change that.”
In addition to the players threatening a strike, the UFL recently lost two head coaches, Ken Whisenhunt (Showboats) and Reggie Barlow (DC Defenders). Last year, the UFL averaged 816k television viewers per game, with several games drawing more than 1 million fans.
Betting On UFL Game Lines & Futures
The UFL has proven to be a pioneer regarding professional sports leagues and the integration of online sports betting sites. The UFL has seen game lines and futures odds take center stage by openly embracing sports betting.
UFL sportsbooks feature betting lines for the XFL and USFL divisions. Below are the game lines for the opening weekend’s games from Bovada’s online sportsbook.
St. Louis BattleHawks vs. Houston Roughnecks
- Spread: -6.0 (-115), +6.0 (-105)
- Win: -275, +225
- Total: O37.5 (-115), U37.5 (-105)
San Antonio Brahmas vs. Arlington Renegades
- Spread: -2.5 (-115), +2.5 (-105)
- Win: -160, +135
- Total: O37.5 (-110), U37.5 (-110)
Michigan Panthers vs. Memphis Showboats
- Spread: -5.0 (-120), +5.0 (EVEN)
- Win: -225, +185
- Total: O38.0 (-110), U38.0 (-110)
Birmingham Stallions vs. DC Defenders
- Spread: -7.5 (-110), +7.5 (-110)
- Win: -410, +305
- Total: O41.5 (-110), U41.5 (-110)
In addition to game lines, future odds for the 2025 Championship are also available. Future odds take time to come to fruition, so they often provide good value to bettors.
UFL Championship Game Winner 2025
- Birmingham Stallions +190
- Louis BattleHawks +350
- DC Defenders +600
- San Antonio Brahmas +600
- Michigan Panthers +650
- Arlington Renegades +1200
- Houston Roughnecks +2100
- Memphis Showboats +2100