UFL Owner Criticizes Hoover Met, Calls for Smaller Stadium in Birmingham Mike Repole, co-owner of the United Football League, has reiterated his opposition to the Hoover Metropolitan Complex as a potential home for the Birmingham Stallions, while reiterating his concerns about Protective Stadium. In a series of posts on X on July 24, 2026, Repole stated that the league had explored moving the Stallions to Hoover Met but concluded the facility was unavailable during the spring football season. “We looked into Hoover Met as an option,” he said. “Unfortunately, they do not have the spring dates we need in order to play a season there.” Repole’s criticism extended to Protective Stadium, which seats nearly 47,000 fans. He questioned the decision to build such a large venue in Birmingham, asking, “Who thought building a 47,000 seat stadium in Birmingham was a good idea??? @TheUFL, UAB and a USL team and you build a 47k seat stadium???” He argued that the city would benefit more from a smaller stadium with a capacity of 12,000 to 15,000 seats, which he claimed would create a more energetic atmosphere and stronger home-field advantage. “The people of Birmingham deserve a great 12,000 to 15,000 seat stadium that actually creates energy, passion, demand and a real home field advantage. Bigger isn’t always better. The right size is better,” he wrote. This latest critique follows Repole’s earlier doubts about the Stallions’ return to Protective Stadium for the 2027 season. In a social media post on July 23, he expressed skepticism about the team’s continued presence at the venue, stating that the UFL’s long-term vision prioritizes “the right market, the right sized venue, a passionate fan base.#ufl #mike_repole #birmingham_stallions #protective_stadium #birmingham_jefferson_convention_complex
United Football League Ends Operations in Birmingham After Five Seasons The United Football League (UFL) has announced that it will cease operations in Birmingham, marking the end of the city’s longest stint in professional spring football. The decision, made after five seasons, comes as the league cited the inability of the 47,000-seat Protective Stadium to align with its business model and the desire for a more intimate fan experience. The move has sparked disappointment among local officials and fans, who had supported the Birmingham Stallions throughout their tenure. Mayor Randall Woodfin acknowledged the team’s contributions to the city, stating, “Birmingham has been home to the Stallions since 2022. We have been proud to see the team’s success on the field and its growth in the market over that time. We wish the organization well.” The league’s decision was framed as a strategic shift, with officials emphasizing that the stadium’s size diluted the energy and atmosphere they sought. The median capacity for venues in the league’s eight cities was 21,250, far below Protective Stadium’s capacity. The Stallions, founded in 2022 as part of the UFL, were a revival of the USFL team that played at Legion Field from 1983 to 1985. The franchise quickly became a powerhouse, winning three consecutive championships in 2022, 2023, and 2024. However, the team faced challenges in 2026, including a 4-6 record and a first-time playoff miss. Despite this, ticket sales showed growth, with Gene Hallman of Eventive noting, “Substantial ticket revenue growth from 2025 to 2026. We’re not coming off a season where our numbers declined.” Co-owner Mike Repole, a billionaire who acquired a majority stake in the UFL in 2025, had publicly criticized the stadium’s size.#birmingham #mike_repole #birmingham_stallions #united_football_league #protective_stadium
Mike Repole, the richest man at the Derby, is still betting on hope Mike Repole arrives at the Kentucky Derby like a man throwing a party he fully expects to ruin for himself. The billionaire, known for his wealth and business acumen, brings an entourage of 76 people to the event, most of whom will enjoy themselves while he shoulders the financial burden. “Seventy-five are going to have a great, great, great time,” he says, pausing to acknowledge the irony of his situation. “And then there’s me. And I also get the bill, so that’s pretty sad. But that’s OK.” This sentiment encapsulates the Kentucky Derby’s unique blend of spectacle and anxiety, a tradition that transforms even the most successful individuals into hopeful participants. Repole, a seasoned Derby attendee, has entered the race 12 times, yet his record remains unremarkable: 0-8, with three heart-breaking scratches of favorites. Two of those favorites, Grade and Forte, were scratched on the morning of the race, while Uncle Mo was withdrawn days earlier. These setbacks, however, are not viewed as failures but as part of the sport’s inherent unpredictability. The Kentucky Derby is not a race in the traditional sense; it is a high-stakes gamble where only one horse out of 20,000 annual births can claim victory. For Repole, the stakes are personal. He has invested his time, money, and belief in the sport, and this year, he is determined to make it work. This year’s Derby entry is his horse Renegade, a late runner with a strategy that relies on chaos. Renegade is not the type to assert dominance early in the race, instead waiting for the field to disintegrate before making a dramatic surge. Repole describes the horse as “last to first,” capable of making up five lengths in an instant.#mike_repole #kentucky_derby #renegade #robert_lowes #lawana_lowes
UFL Coaches Return to Hometowns, Embracing Local Roots Quarterback Jalan McClendon, now with the Columbus Aviators, recalled the surprise of a large crowd at a recent fan fest, where thousands gathered to support his team. The event highlighted the growing enthusiasm for the UFL, with fans showing up in greater numbers than expected. Among the most celebrated figures at the event was Ted Ginn Jr., the Aviators’ head coach, who drew the biggest cheers. Ginn, a former Ohio State star, had a standout career with the Buckeyes, including a touchdown return in the 2004 BCS National Championship game. His 14-year NFL career included stints with six teams, but he remains deeply connected to his hometown of Cleveland, where he grew up and played high school games at Historic Crew Stadium, the Aviators’ home venue. Ginn’s return to Columbus is significant, as it allows him to focus solely on coaching without the distractions of other teams or college programs. “It’s very special,” he said, emphasizing the opportunity to build a winning team in his hometown. This approach aligns with the UFL’s strategy to prioritize local ties, a decision driven by new investor Mike Repole, founder of Vitaminwater and BodyArmor. Repole emphasized the importance of hiring coaches who resonate with their communities and have both on-field and off-field credibility. The UFL’s coaching staff includes several first-time head coaches, such as AJ McCarron, who led the University of Alabama to two national championships and now coaches the Birmingham Stallions. McCarron, who previously played in the UFL, described the transition to coaching as both challenging and rewarding. “It’s been awesome,” he said, noting the shift from competing against players to guiding them.#columbus_aviators #jalan_mcclendon #ted_ginn_jr #mike_repole #historic_crew_stadium
