Under New Lead Investor Mike Repole, UFL Reboots (Again) With Big Plans For '26
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 03:18PM By Barry Janoff
October 8, 2025: This past July, the United Football League said that Mike Repole joined the league as co-owner to lead league business operations through his private equity firm, Impact Capital.
Three months later, Repole’s presence is being felt in a big way.
The United Football League unveiled its rebooted roster for its third season in 2026; Three new teams — the Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings and Orlando Storm — will join current UFL teams the Birmingham Stallions, DC Defenders and St. Louis Battlehawks.
They also join the Houston franchise, which will now be called the Houston Gamblers (from the Houston Roughnecks), reverting back to the team’s original name during its USFL era.
The Dallas franchise, which will now be called the Dallas Renegades (from the Arlington Renegades) to reflect the team’s North Texas fanbase.
The three news teams will replace the Memphis Showboats, Michigan Panthers and San Antonio Brahmas, which competed in the league during its first two seasons.
The moves were unveiled by Repole, whose resume is filled with billion-dollar successes.
"I think the stars are aligning for spring football to make it," Repole told the Louisville Courier-Journal. "There's a reason why people have kept trying it for 40 years.
“When I decided to do a sports drink versus Gatorade, people said, 'Well, people tried that for 50 years and no one made it.' BodyArmor became the No. 2 sports drink. I always say, 'Think big; dream bigger.'"
Repole joined the UFL ownership group that includes Fox, RedBird Capital Partners, ESPN, Dany Garcia, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
As an entrepreneur, he co-founded Glaceau, maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater which was acquired by The Coca-Cola Co. in 2007 for $4.1 billion.
He then co-founded BodyArmor, 15% of which was acquired by Coca-Cola in 2018 and then the remaining 85% in 2021 for more than a combined $12 billion.
He is currently the majority owner of NoBull high-performance footwear and apparel company backed by Tom Brady; and the owner of Junkless, a better-for-you snacking brand.
A lifetime horse racing fan he also owns Repole Stable.
“Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League,” Repole said via the UFL when unveiling the reformation for 2026.
“Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando are true football cities with deep sports roots. We’re proud to bring professional football to these communities – in energetic, fan-driven stadiums built to create an authentic game day experience and strengthen the foundation of this league for years to come.”
As part of Repole’s overall strategy of playing in “smaller, more intimate soccer venues,” the Houston Gamblers will play in Shell Energy Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash. The Dallas Renegades will move to Toyota Stadium, home of FC Dallas.
Beginning with the 2026 season, the teams will no longer be divided into two conferences, but will compete as a united eight-team league, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season.
“We’re heading into this season with new teams, new markets, new venues, and a renewed energy that reflects the momentum building around this league,” said Repole.
Head coaches will be named in the near future for the three teams, along with new uniform designs for all eight teams.
The 43-game 2026 United Football League schedule, which will kick off on Friday, March 27, will be unveiled at a later date.
The UFL was born out of merger between the USFL and XFL in September 2023.
“Football has clearly established itself as America’s most popular sport, with tremendous momentum and demand,” Repole said in July. “There’s no better time than now to build a strong, sustainable spring league that unites players, teams, and fans. I’m honored to join the United Football League’s ownership group as we work to create something truly lasting and game-changing.”
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