A recent report questions how the US Army spent funds to attract new recruits. The Army partnered with the UFL for the 2023 season.
The UFL partnered with the US Army
Per the league’s website, the Army logo will be featured on jerseys and on the game field:
“As part of the agreement, the Army logo will be featured on all UFL gameday jerseys as well as on the fifty-yard line at games. There will be Army activations at UFL games, including a spotlight honoring veterans and current Army personnel who have served our nation.
The UFL and the Army will also work together to host community events and create bespoke programs to raise awareness and recruit the next generation of leaders in local UFL markets.”
The Army spent approximately $11 million on the partnership
According to Steve Benyon of Military.com, the Army is paying “roughly” $11 million to the UFL to advertise this year. The $11 million figure is $14 million less than what the Army expected their deal with the XFL to be. However, the savings don’t mean much after documents show there were warnings the $11 million wouldn’t net many recruits:
“Despite the reduced cost of the UFL sponsorship, service planners behind the scenes spent much of the past year warning that the advertising bang for the buck simply wasn’t there, documents show. Internal data reviewed by Military.com found that the Army estimated the UFL sponsorship deal would net only between 160 and 891 new recruits.”
Mike Florio with NBC Sports asked if the deal was worth it:
Ultimately, those are taxpayer dollars. If, in the end, the $11 million investment will result in fewer than 900 recruits, it’s fair to ask whether it really was worth it?
Taxpayers respond to the report
Many taxpayers were unhappy that the Army didn’t use their money efficiently. Some think there are other pork projects to worry about. Here are the best responses to the Army’s reported partnership.
— Lennie Salinas (@Lennie_Salinas_) April 14, 2024
Could invest that back on the chow halls and black mold covered barracks 🤙
— Tim (@PNWvibe) April 14, 2024
We just paid off student loans for deadbeats who wouldn’t pay a debt they signed up for so this is wild that you’d worry about an Army promotion.
— KD (@KD24TTown) April 14, 2024
Better than most of the stuff they spend on
— I’d rather be eating pizza (@nerfs00) April 14, 2024
No. It is a terrible use
— JRay (@JRG715) April 14, 2024
Nobody joins the army because of a patch on footballer. It’s stupid to put money on that.
— jhardertried (@jhardertried) April 14, 2024
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and NFL news, click here!