UFL coming to Columbus

COLUMBUS — The United Football League is bringing professional spring football to Columbus in 2026, with one of its existing franchises set to relocate to Ohio’s capital.

The team will play home games at Historic Crew Stadium, the former home of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. Stadium officials and league representatives confirmed the relocation plans this week.

The move marks the first time a UFL or similar spring league franchise will be based in Columbus. The city, already home to Ohio State football and professional teams in MLS and the NHL, was selected as part of a leaguewide effort to realign teams with markets that offer stronger attendance potential and more suitable venues.

The UFL currently has eight teams and is not expanding in 2026. Instead, the league will relocate at least two existing teams and possibly up to four. Columbus is the first relocation site to be formally announced.

League officials have not yet disclosed which franchise will be moved to Columbus. Team branding, ownership, and coaching announcements are expected in the coming months.

The move is part of a larger strategy to move teams out of underperforming markets and oversized stadiums, and into more compact venues with greater fan engagement. Historic Crew Stadium, which seats around 20,000, was selected to align with that model.

Columbus was one of more than 30 cities considered for relocation or future expansion. The UFL season typically runs from March through June, offering a spring alternative to fall football leagues.

Further details about the Columbus team, including season ticket information and community outreach plans, are expected to be released later this year.

Campbell signs extension

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell reportedly has finalized a contract extension that will keep him with the Cyclones through the 2032 season.

The deal, which had been in the works since December, was completed this week and includes a base salary of $5 million per year. Incentives in the contract allow the former Mount Union player and coach to earn up to $1.5 million annually for reaching performance milestones, beginning at seven wins and escalating to a 12-win season.

The extension also provides bonuses for postseason appearances, including the Big 12 Championship game. A portion of the incentive bonuses can be shared with Campbell’s coaching staff.

Campbell, who became Iowa State’s head coach in 2016, is the winningest coach in program history with a 64-51 overall record. He has led the Cyclones to seven bowl appearances, a Big 12 title game, and the school’s first-ever 11-win season in 2024.

The new deal also features a buyout clause of $2 million if Campbell leaves for another college program. There is no financial penalty if he departs for an NFL head coaching position.

As part of the agreement, Campbell accepted a lower base salary than he could have commanded to allow for increased resources for assistant coaches and a $1 million boost in player revenue-sharing funds.

Campbell will begin his 10th season at Iowa State this fall, with the Cyclones opening the 2025 campaign in Week Zero against Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland.

NFL on the verge of selling media assets to ESPN

The NFL and ESPN are expected to announce an agreement next week under which most of the league’s significant media holdings would go to the sports network.

People familiar with the transaction said the multibillion-dollar deal would give the NFL an equity stake in ESPN.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been finalized. It was first reported by The Athletic.

The NFL and ESPN had no comment.

The NFL has been trying to sell its media properties for nearly five years. ESPN and the league have been involved in on-again, off-again talks for the past three years.

The proposed move comes as ESPN is expected to soon launch its direct-to-consumer service, possibly before the end of August. The service would give cord cutters access to all of ESPN’s programs and networks for $29.99 per month. Most cable, satellite and viewers who have streaming services will receive the service for free as part of their subscription.

ESPN would get access to the popular RedZone channel, as well as NFL Network and an additional seven regular-season games (six international and a Saturday afternoon late-season contest).

A couple of weeks ago, ESPN announced that NFL Network host Rich Eisen’s three-hour program would air on ESPN Radio as well as stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. “The Rich Eisen Show” is not affiliated with NFL Network.

ESPN has carried NFL games since 1987 and “Monday Night Football” since 2006. Under the current TV contract, it will have the 2027 and 2031 Super Bowls for the first time.

NFL Network started in November 2003 and was the second major pro league to have its own network. NBA TV started in 1999, MLB Network in 2009 and NHL Network in the United States in 2007.

Bengals get stadium lease, $470 million

The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County finalized a new 11-year lease on Friday that includes $470 million in renovations to Paycor Stadium.

Hamilton County commissioners approved a version of the lease on Thursday but the Bengals did not sign because they had not seen the version that county officials approved. Both sides negotiated through the night before the Bengals signed off and commissioners approved during a special meeting on Friday.

The lease keeps the team at their downtown home through at least 2036. It also includes 10 additional option years that could extend it through June 2046.

“The Bengals thank Hamilton County and its Commissioners for demonstrating leadership and taking steps that continue moving Cincinnati forward,” Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn said in a statement. “It solidifies the future of the Bengals in Cincinnati, our beloved home, for many years to come. Today’s deal embodies a responsible approach for the future, while at the same time keeping Paycor Stadium a great venue that can provide our great fans the great gameday experience they deserve.”

The county will contribute $350 million toward the renovations, and the Bengals will pay $120 million. The plan is far less than the $830 million the Bengals originally proposed.

The Bengals and Hamilton County will also work to secure state funding. The Cleveland Browns are receiving $600 million from unclaimed funds in Ohio’s budget recently signed by Gov. Mike DeWine. The Browns are planning to build a new domed stadium in Brookpark, Ohio, near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The Bengals have proposed improvements to the club lounges, stadium suites, concessions and scoreboards. A permanent indoor facility is also on the long-term wish list. Cincinnati was the only northern NFL team without an indoor practice facility for many seasons until 2022, when it added an indoor practice bubble across the street from its outdoor fields.

Owner Mike Brown said on July 21 that the planned improvements and requests were in line with other medium- to small-market NFL franchises.