The USFL is expected to begin its second season with a new pay structure in tow.
The USFL and XFL are in something of an arms race, both trying to satisfy fan cravings for football during the spring and summer months when there’s no college football or NFL. To that end, both leagues seek to attract the best (non-NFL) talent.
Why? Because better players should lead to a better product, more viewers, and consequently more money for both leagues (and their possessions). So it continues to pay to be a football player in America. But how much will USFL players make in 2023, and how will those salaries compare to players in the XFL and NFL?
The Sporting News has the answer, breaking down the salary structure for USFL players in 2023:
MORE: USFL roster 2023: Former NFL, college names you’ll recognize in the new Football League
How Much Are USFL Players Paid?
Players can reportedly earn a maximum annual salary of $74,000 in 2023. That includes a weekly stipend of $400 and requires a player not only to be active for each of their team’s 10 regular season games and two playoff games, but also to win the 2023 USFL championship.
Here’s a breakdown of the USFL’s salary structure for active and inactive players for 2023:
- Active player: $5,350 per week
- Inactive player: $2,500 per week
- housing benefit: $400 per week
- Championship Win Bonus: $5,000
- Maximum Total Salary: $74,000
Non-CBA benefits include $26,000 per playerwhich includes retirement, placement in training camp and tuition-free education online at Capella University or online/in person at Strayer University.
MORE: Where are USFL games played? Here are each team’s home stadium locations for the 2023 season
How Much Are NFL Players Paid?
The NFL remains the highest-paid American football league in the United States, paying practice team players more than either the USFL or the XFL can pay their top talent.
Practice squad players with two or fewer seasons in the NFL will be paid a maximum of $12,000 per week in 2023 (good for a $216,000 annual salary). Experienced players can negotiate a weekly salary of between $16,100 and $20,600, which translates to an annual salary of between $289,800 and $370,800.
- 0-2 years: $216,000
- 3-plus years: $289,800 to $370,800
And these are just practice squad players. According to Spotrac.com, the minimum salary a player on an active NFL roster will earn in 2023 is $750,000. But that’s only among beginners; The average salary increases based on how long you’ve been in the league.
Below is an annual breakdown of minimum wages for NFL players in 2023:
- Beginner: $750,000
- 2 years: $940,000
- 3 years: $1.01 million
- 4-6 years: $1.08 million
- Over 7 years: $1.165 million
MORE: USFL teams, rosters, schedule, rules and more about Football League 2023
How Much Are XFL Players Paid?
ESPN, citing information from Doug Whaley and Marc Ross — XFL senior vice president of player staff and XFL executive vice president of football operations, respectively — reported that the average league player will have an estimated annual salary of $60,000. This salary starts from the start of the training camp until the end of the season.
The reported salary structure is a weekly salary of $5,000, excluding a $1,000 profit bonus. Salaries vary based on incentives achieved, but a typical XFL player makes as much as $50,000 and up to $60,000 over the course of a 10-game regular season.
The ESPN report did not specify whether the pitching salary included the playoffs, which will feature two additional games. Assuming this isn’t the case, and extrapolating the weekly pay structure to the postseason, winning the XFL championship could make a player up to $12,000 more: good for a $72,000 salary in 2023.
- Weekly Salary: $5,000
- Win Bonus: $1,000 per win
- Maximum Total Salary: $72,000
Jacob Camenker contributed to this report.