Either I wrote my column last week a bit prematurely, or I was a bit prophetic.
Last week, I wrote about spring football leagues, and the United Football League specifically. Then this past week, the UFL announced it would be expanding from eight teams to ten teams in the next few years, beginning with putting an expansion team in Oklahoma City in 2028.
“Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision,” UFL co-owner Mike Repole said in a statement released by the UFL. “This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and truly understands the game. From college powerhouses to Friday night lights, football runs deep here. We’re committed to building a franchise in OKC that the entire state can rally behind.”
A major part of the decision to locate a franchise in our state is the brand-new stadium set to be built in downtown Oklahoma City; the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium. Groundbreaking will take place in June, and the venue is scheduled to open in time for the start of the 2028 UFL season. It will have a capacity of just over 10,000. The MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium will be a state-of-the-art venue featuring modern amenities, premium fan experiences, and the capacity to host a variety of events in addition to a UFL team, including professional soccer, concerts, rodeo, and other sporting and cultural events.
The team’s name, colors, and branding will be unveiled later with the local community included in the selection process.
“Oklahoma City has long been one of the most glaring vacancies on the professional football map,” said UFL President & CEO Russ Brandon. “The combination of a new stadium, deep-rooted football culture, and a city that has proven its ability to support major league sports makes this an easy decision. We are thrilled to bring the UFL’s brand of high-octane spring football to the passionate fans of Oklahoma.”
“Oklahoma City welcomes the UFL to our championship city!” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “We love sports and we love football, so we think this should be a great fit. We have always said that the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium opens up new opportunities for our city, and this is a perfect example. We look forward to the UFL’s arrival in 2028!”
So, in just a couple years, we’ll have a local UFL team to cheer for, and that’s exciting.
OSU CANCELS WOMEN’S TENNIS MATCHES
Last week, the OSU athletic department released a statement saying the women’s tennis team’s last two matches were cancelled.
“The Oklahoma State women’s tennis team is forfeiting this weekend’s scheduled home matches against Kansas and Iowa State due to injuries resulting in a lack of available players”, the statement said.
This came after the Cowgirls had cancelled their previous three matches, due to the accumulation of injuries on the team. Out of the nine players on the roster, three suffered season-ending injuries during the season, and another three have suffered injuries in the past few weeks.
The forfeit losses to Kansas and Iowa State bring Oklahoma State’s season to a close with a final record of 8-12 overall and 5-8 in the Big 12 conference.
TULSA BEACON RADIO
Tune in to “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” radio show every week, featuring interviews with local and national guests, talking about everything from politics to family issues. This week, my guests will be Andy Scurto, owner of the Tulsa Oilers, and Pastors Scott and Shari Norvell of Blue Flame 47 ministry. The show airs on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST on 970am KCFO.