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Birmingham City Council approves USFL funding and use of Legion Field
The Birmingham City Council voted today to allocate $500,000 to support the United States Football League’s (USFL) plan to host its 2022 season in The Magic City. The legislative body also approved the use of Legion Field for USFL games.
The votes on both measures were unanimously approved. The monies to fund the initiatives will come from the city’s lodging tax revenue.
Regional Cooperation
Jefferson County Courthouse. Photo via Jefferson County Commission Facebook page 
Birmingham City Hall shined green and pink honoring Vice President Kamala Harris and the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Photo via Pat Byington for Bham Now
The passage of the resolution allowing the use of Legion Field seems to be the final piece in a deal that has involved the support of multiple local and regional governments and agencies.
The effort to bring the USFL to Birmingham has been a regional effort according to Birmingham City Council President Wardine Alexander.
“I always love to see when we have cooperation from multiple local partners — in this case the Jefferson County Commission, the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City — all pulling in the same direction to bring something like this to Birmingham.”
Highlights of the USFL arrangement include the following:
- Birmingham would host eight of the league’s teams, including our hometown favorites, Birmingham Stallions
- Games would be played in a “bubble” format (similar to NBA) for 12 weeks from April-July 2022
- Birmingham would host 43 games, including two playoffs and a championship
- Roughly 8 to 11 of the games would be held at Legion Field, with the rest at Protective Stadium
- Games would be aired nationally
Financial Commitments
Along with Birmingham’s commitment to bring the USFL to the Magic City the Jefferson County Commission matched it with an additional $500,000. The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau is also chipping in $2 million. The BJCC made a financial commitment too.
“My colleagues and I on the Birmingham City Council have made it a chief priority to position our city as a place that can attract major sports and entertainment opportunities. I can remember when the Birmingham Stallions played at Legion Field and I’m beyond thrilled for the Magic City to have the opportunity to potentially host this exciting venture,” concluded Alexander.
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