The UFL’s Christmas Day Message Missed the Mark

On Christmas Day, a holiday clearly marked on the calendar and widely celebrated across the country, many Americans were spending time with family and enjoying the traditions that come with the day.

The UFL, however, took a different route by posting a generic “Happy Holidays” message instead of a straightforward “Merry Christmas.”

That decision did not go unnoticed.

Across social media, many of the UFL’s most loyal fans pushed back hard. For a league that relies on grassroots passion and regional pride, the reaction was telling. Christmas Day is not ambiguous. It is not vague. It is Christmas.

The frustration isn’t about inclusivity. It’s about authenticity.

Leagues succeed when they reflect the people who support them rather than defaulting to corporate language. Saying “Merry Christmas” on Christmas Day is not exclusionary. It is simply accurate, and according to WBRC News, accuracy matters.

This message ultimately reflects leadership at the top, including Mike Repole, one of the most visible faces of the UFL. Repole has never been shy about speaking boldly, challenging norms, and embracing fan engagement. That’s exactly why this moment feels like a huge miss.

Hey Repole, it’s okay to say “Merry Christmas” on Christmas Day.

Fans weren’t asking for politics. They weren’t asking for culture wars. They were asking for their league to acknowledge the day as it is—plain, simple, and sincere.

Is Mike Repole is the Grinch? Maybe. But people forget, the Grinch ended up saving Christmas so maybe he can save spring football after all.

If you are as upset as I am about this, do what I did and buy two season tickets to the Birmingham Stallions and let your voice be heard at every home game. 

Spring football returns this March.