Johnson: Protective Stadium has a message for the United Football League, co-owner Mike Repole

This is an opinion column published by 205focus.com.

Dear United Football League, or should I say, co-owner Mike Repole:

Congratulations on your immense wealth-building success. You have utilized your billions to reshape the landscape of spring football, and while I have played a role in that journey, your recent announcement that the Birmingham Stallions will no longer be riding through has left a mark.

There is a sense of grief here. The Stallions are iconic kin in Birmingham’s history. They are not Alabama, Auburn, or UAB, but they are ours. Celebrating three championships was an honor, and those triumphs remain permanent regardless of your decision to pull the plug. To hear that I—a stadium that proved its worth—am suddenly considered 'too big' for your liking is frustrating. But for now, I’ll simply say: buh-bye.

A Foundation Built on More Than Just Spring Football

When spring football first courted Birmingham in 2022, I was fresh on the scene. I was a key reason the original USFL owners looked our way. We had just hosted the 2022 World Games, proving we were a worthy stage despite the financial challenges. My status as a centerpiece for city growth has been bolstered by regional assets like the $50 million renovation of Legacy Arena, the Hoover Met, and the historic Rickwood Field.

That first season of spring football was magic. The league planted itself here, with all eight teams living and playing in Birmingham. It was a testament to the city's ability to host, and even as the league evolved into a fly-in model—where players lived in Houston and only arrived for games—Birmingham remained a loyal partner.

Billionaire Bullying and the Road Ahead

Perhaps the most disrespectful moment came when you took to social media to threaten the city, claiming you would leave if ticket sales didn't increase. The fans responded, attendance went up, and the Stallions remained in the top half of the league. Yet, it wasn't enough for you. You labeled me 'too big.' I was conceived because Birmingham needed a modern venue to stake its claim as a legitimate sports town, not to serve as a transient home for a league that couldn't appreciate the community connection.

I have hosted massive events, from the Birmingham Bowl to sold-out concerts featuring Garth Brooks, Usher, and Chris Brown. My turnstiles are swinging with or without your league. You enjoyed a favorable arrangement where you played rent-free while keeping ticket and merchandising revenue, all while my local partners managed concessions and parking. Good luck finding that elsewhere.

Thank you to Fox Sports and the others who truly believed in what we built in Birmingham. Without your fly-ins, I have a schedule full of events eager to fill my dates. We will sell out. We will grow. I will be fine, and I sincerely hope that you and the UFL will be fine, too. Giddy-bye.

Sincerely,

Protective Stadium