2016 Major League Football season
The 2016 Major League Football (MLFB) season was planned as the league’s first. Eight teams were to play 40 regular-season games and 3 postseason games in spring 2016. MLFB held a January draft for eight teams and announced seven general managers and eight head coaches. Teams would hold national tryouts with a $250 registration, start camps on March 30 in Florida, and carry 80 players at the start, trimming to 53 for the season. Player pay was set to be in the thousands per game, with a weekly amount for a designated franchise player.
Funding problems halted the plan. In February 2016 a major backer pulled out of a $20 million investment, putting the season at risk. The league postponed the start of play in March and called 2016 a developmental year. It also fell behind on rent for its Lakewood Ranch, Florida headquarters, leading to eviction papers and ending hopes of beginning the season.
Other notes: MLFB had trademarks for ten regional teams and held a territorial draft for eight teams; rumored names included Alabama Airborne, Arkansas Attack, Florida Fusion, Utah Stand, Texas Independence, Oklahoma Nation, Ohio Union, Northwest Empire, with Virginia Armada and Oregon Crash added later. The eight host cities were to be announced after Super Bowl 50. Pro days were held in Oregon and Ohio, with players paying $250 to try out. The draft process was 70 rounds in three phases (franchise, territorial, national) plus 10 post-draft free agents per team. In January, MLFB announced a two-year TV deal with American Sports Network, and in February talked about financing from Asian Global Capital after the failed investment.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:27 (CET).