The USFL is set to start its second season, with a new pay structure in tow, as well.
The USFL and XFL are in something of an arms race, both attempting to satiate fans' desire for football in the spring and summer months, when there is no college football or NFL. To that end, both leagues are trying to secure the top (non-NFL) talent.
Why? Because better players should result in a better product, more viewership, and subsequently more money earned for both leagues (and their ownership). Hence, 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 rosters 2023: Former NFL, college names you'll recognize in new football league
How much do USFL players get paid?
Players can reportedly earn a maximum annual salary of $74,000 in 2023. That includes a $400 weekly stipend and is predicated on a player not only being active for each of their team's 10 regular-season games and two playoff games, but also winning the 2023 USFL championship.
Here's a breakdown of the USFL's salary structure among both active and inactive players for 2023:
- Active player: $5,350 per week
- Inactive player: $2,500 per week
- Housing stipend: $400 per week
- Championship win bonus: $5,000
- Total max salary: $74,000
Non-CBA benefits include $26,000 per player, which includes retirement, training camp housing 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 2023 season
How much do NFL players get paid?
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The NFL is still the top-paying U.S.-based American football league, paying practice-squad players more than what either the USFL or 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 an annual salary of $216,000). Veteran players can negotiate a weekly salary between $16,100 and $20,600, which will result in an annual salary somewhere between $289,800 and $370,800.
- 0-2 years: $216,000
- 3-plus years: $289,800 to $370,800
And that's just practice-squad players. According to data from Spotrac.com, the minimum salary any player on an active NFL roster will make in 2023 is $750,000. But that's only among rookies; the average salary increases depending on how long you have been in the league.
Below is a per-year rundown of minimum salaries for NFL players in 2023:
- Rookie: $750,000
- 2 years: $940,000
- 3 years: $1.01 million
- 4-6 years: $1.08 million
- 7-plus years: $1.165 million
MORE: USFL teams, rosters, schedule, rules & more to know about the 2023 football league
How much do XFL players get paid?
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ESPN, citing information from Doug Whaley and Marc Ross — XFL senior vice president of player personnel and XFL executive vice president of football operations, respectively — reported the average league player will have an estimated annual salary of $60,000. That salary begins at the start of training camp through the end of the season.
The reported salary structure includes a per-week salary of $5,000, not including a $1,000 win bonus. Salaries will vary based on incentives reached, but a typical XFL player will make no less than $50,000 and as much as $60,000 over the course of a 10-game regular season.
ESPN's report didn't specify whether the pitched salary included the playoffs, which feature two extra games. Assuming it does not, and extrapolating the weekly payment structure to include the postseason, then a player could make up to $12,000 more by winning the XFL championship: Good for a $72,000 salary in 2023.
- Weekly salary: $5,000
- Win bonus: $1,000 per win
- Total max salary: $72,000
Jacob Camenker contributed to this report.
