Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed extends invitation to Birmingham Stallions

Photo from the City of Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) – Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed is inviting the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions to move to Montgomery as the team departs its longtime home.

As Action 8 News has reported, the UFL announced yesterday that the Stallions would be leaving, but hasn’t said where the team may play next. The league blamed the 47,000-seat Protective Stadium for being too large to create a good game day atmosphere. The average attendance in the league is around 21,000.

Mike Repole, who co-owns the UFL, says they’ll be looking for a more appropriately-sized venue and could return to Birmingham if one can be found.

Mayor Reed said in part:

“Montgomery has long believed there is an opportunity to develop a right-sized stadium that can serve multiple purposes — from football and soccer to community events and entertainment —while supporting economic growth, tourism, and quality of life throughout the Capital City.

“If the UFL is committed to keeping the Stallions in Alabama, we would welcome the opportunity to have that conversation.

“Our focus remains on building facilities that serve our residents, attract visitors, create economic opportunity, and position Montgomery for long-term success. We look forward to engaging with league officials and other partners to explore whether Montgomery can play a role in the future of professional spring football in Alabama.

“Our door is open, and we stand ready to work with the league, community partners, and stakeholders to help keep the Stallions in Alabama while creating a lasting asset that benefits Montgomery and the entire region for generations to come.”

The sun sets over Protective Life stadium during the first half of a USFL football game between the Birmingham Stallions and the New Jersey Generals Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

On the field, the Stallions have been successful — winning three championships in 2022 through 2024, although they missed the playoffs under new coach AJ McCarron this season. The Stallions got their start in the old USFL in the 1980s, when they were also among the strongest teams.