Obscure Sports Dude

The United Football League (UFL) returns this weekend with the same eight teams which played last spring. The UFL - which was a result of a merger between the United States Football League and XFL a year ago - will continue to try to get a foothold in professional spring football. It remains to be seen if the UFL - and spring football - will last.  The UFL has made some moderate success but it will be important to see how they sustain the league.  Spring football is a hard sell but the UFL has made it through three seasons already.  It will be important for the league to strengthen their strongest markets such as Birmingham and St. Louis while deciding what to do about their weaker markets.  A working agreement with the NFL is most likely the key to the UFL's success.   The Birmingham Stallions will try to add yet another championship trophy this season. The Stallions shutout the San Antonio Brahmas 25-0 in last year's title game. The Stallions won the US...

They came up smelling like roses with the first Unrivaled Basketball League title. The 3-on-3 women's professional league crowned Rose as their first league champion. Chelsea Gray was named playoff MVP after helping her team Rose BC beat Vinyl 62-54 in a thrilling final to Unrivaled’s debut season. She averaged 28.5 points in two postseason games including 39 points in the semifinals. You can watch highlights of the game here: https://youtu.be/4Xy3X7Ovp7Y?si=oMsSjmmlrZS2Y9gA Unrivaled games are played with three seven-minute quarters and an untimed fourth. Teams play to a “winning score” determined by adding 11 points to the squad that is leading after three quarters. Monday’s target score was 62, and Sykes went to the line with the Rose leading 61-54. Gray finished with 18 points and eight assists. Azura Stevens added 19 points and 18 rebounds. Rhyne Howard led Vinyl with 22 points and six rebounds. Rose played the game without one of their best players. Angel Reese was sidel...

With the beginning of baseball season coming soon, many minor league teams have come up with some alternative identities during the season.  While this isn't a complete list, I have come up with some of the more interesting alter egos coming to a ballpark near you this season. Arkansas Travelers - Barkansas Dizzys The Arkansas Travelers (Texas League) will honor the club's longtime ballpark pup. A permanent resident of Dickey-Stephens Park, Dizzy can always be found cruising the concourse during Travs games with a baseball in his mouth. He is the faithful canine companion of Greg Johnston, the Travelers’ Vice President of Stadium Operations who is in his 50th year working for the organization. Dizzy is often found on the field before Travs games chasing baseballs or rolling in the grass before spending a few innings signing “pawtographs” on the concourse. Akron Rubber Ducks - Akron Cheese Salads Unique to Akron, the cheese salad is a side dish with lettuce, thick slice of toma...

Are you ready for some (indoor) football? The arena/indoor football season is upon us. In fact, one league - the American Indoor Football league - has already started the indoor season. Here are some short previews of the most notable seven indoor leagues which will play this season: Indoor Football League (IFL) Website: https://goifl.com/ The IFL is the longest active arena/indoor league as it enters its 16th season.  Although the league is the premier indoor football league in the United States; however, they continue to have issues with franchise stability as the Duke City Gladiators, Frisco Fighters and Sioux Falls Storm deciding to sit out the 2025 season.  The league did add one new team - Fishers Freight - this season.  The Arizona Rattlers won the IFL title last season after finishing third in the Western Conference.  The Rattlers finished the season on a six-game winning streak.  The Rattlers upset the Vegas Knight Hawks 39-38 in the first round the...

Major League Rugby (MLR) enters their seventh season with 11 teams and a broadcast deal with ESPN. Going into the 2025 season, several trial rules were announced, all designed to reduce the number of scrums in matches, in order to speed up the game. The move drew criticism from fans and commentators, with some remarking that the changes would hinder the development of the sport and international competitiveness. The New England Free Jacks are the defending champions and seeking their third straight title. The only change to the MLR team roster is that the Dallas Jackals folded after the 2024 season.  They were not replaced by another franchise; however, the league hopes to expand in the future. The Eastern Division will feature Charlotte's Anthem Rugby Carolina, Chicago Hounds, Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, New Orleans Gold and Old Glory DC.  Teams in the Western Division include Houston Sabercats, Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, San Diego Legion, Seattle Seawolves ...

After prior failed attempts in starting a women's professional lacrosse league, the new Women's Lacrosse League (officially known as the Maybelline Women's Lacrosse League) recently took the field with four teams - Boston Guard, California Palms, Maryland Charm and New York Charging.    The WLL is owned and organized by the men's Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) as an attempt to establish a women's professional league. The league has some slight variations which feature six-on-six teams, smaller fields and shorter time periods.   This first season of the WLL began with the annual WLL Championship Series, which takes place along with the PLL Championship Series this month where the Boston Guard defeated New York Charging 22-17 in the championship game.  The format of the league's full season is yet to be determined. Read about the championship game here:   https://www.olympics.com/en/news/2025-premier-and-womens-lacrosse-league-championship-series-review E...