As San Antonio Brahmas’ Season Approaches, UFL Owners Face Legal Accusations in Collective Bargaining Dispute
With the United Football League (UFL) season set to begin, tensions between the league and its players have escalated, as the United Football Players Association (UFPA) has filed unfair labor practice charges against the UFL with the National Labor Relations Board.
The UFL, backed by Fox Sports, RedBird Capital Partners, Dany Garcia, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is accused of violating labor laws in its ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with players. The UFPA, an independent players’ union, has outlined several alleged infractions by the league, including:
• Threatening to cut players for participating in union activities
• Cutting quarterback Quinten Dormady in retaliation for his union involvement
• Implementing new disciplinary rules aimed at discouraging union participation
• Denying union representatives access to league facilities
• Engaging in surveillance and creating an atmosphere of intimidation around union activities
• Refusing to provide requested information necessary for collective bargaining
The charges follow weeks of unrest within the league. On February 22, all 24 UFL quarterbacks signed a letter to league executives Russ Brandon (UFL CEO & President) and Daryl Johnston (UFL EVP of Football Operations), rejecting the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) proposals as “unacceptable and insulting.” In protest, the quarterbacks boycotted the UFL quarterback training camp.
Further controversy emerged on March 5, when ESPN reported that league management had threatened to cut any players who skipped media day. Most recently, on March 12, ESPN revealed allegations that the UFL owners retaliated against Dormady, a vocal advocate for better player treatment, by releasing him from his team.
With the season opener on March 28 rapidly approaching, the UFPA continues to push for a fair contract, advocating for players’ rights and protections within the league.
