Yes, the Stallions may be checking out of Birmingham.
Beyond the conspicuous absence of Birmingham from the list of UFL teams looking for a head of business operations, UFL co-owner Mike Repole has made it clear that a relocation is possible if not likely.
“Sitting in a senior leadership meeting planning the [the UFL] 2027 season, one thing is becoming very clear,” Repole said Tuesday on Twitter. “The right market. The right sized venue. A passionate fan base. That’s the WINNING formula. I have a hard time seeing us back at Protective Stadium next year. It goes against one of the biggest principles we’re building this league around [. . .] smaller stadiums, packed houses, real energy and a true home field atmosphere. Birmingham, I am looking and need options and ideas.”
It’s hardly a coincidence that the UFL posted notices for the head of business operations jobs at all teams except Birmingham that same day. A move out of Birmingham looks to be firmly in play.
Will there be a Birmingham alternative to Protective Stadium? With a capacity of 47,100, that’s way too big for the UFL. Repole wants venues that more easily reflect the presence of human beings in the building.
So when Repole says, “Birmingham, I am looking and need options and ideas,” the message could be not specifically for Birmingham but to another city that may be interested in pilfering the Stallions.
