Report reveals UFL players want The Rock’s help to avoid in-season strike, but there’s one major problem
Story by
It seems UFL players are looking for league co-owner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to get involved with their ongoing pay dispute. But the WWE legend was surprisingly nowhere to be found at the league’s 2025 season opener.
The second season of the revamped UFL kicked off on Friday with a game between the St. Louis Battlehawks and the Houston Roughnecks. This is another big season for the lone spring professional football league. The brand returned in 2024 after former rivals the XFL and USFL decided to merge for the best interests of spring football.
If they can’t show progress this year, who knows if the league will be back in 2026. However, it is no guarantee we will see a complete 2025 season. Over the last few weeks, there has been a growing frustration among UFL players over their pay rate and health coverage. However, they would prefer to avoid an in-season strike so their demands are met.
That is why they reportedly want to involve world-famous Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. Unfortunately, he was unavailable for opening day of the league he co-owns.
UFL players blast league’s CEO and EVP in letter to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
On Friday, ESPN reporter Kevin Seifert revealed that UFL players planned to personally hand “The Rock” a letter explaining their issues. And ask for his help to end the dispute. Unfortunately, despite having a lot invested in a league that could fail in 2025, the former wrestler was MIA from the Battlehawks and Renegades season opener.
“For months, we have been bargaining in good faith with your lawyers,” the letter states. “The players haven’t been asking for the moon and the stars. Just year-round healthcare or a salary increase sufficient to ensure that players can afford it on their own. As a former player, you know how rough the sport of football can be and how vital healthcare is.
“Unfortunately, the folks who work for you have refused to bargain with us in good faith. To start, UFL CEO Russ Brandon and UFL EVP Daryl Johnston have refused to meet and bargain with players in person. Instead, they have threatened and retaliated against union leaders.”
Dwayne Johnson was once a player for the Miami Hurricanes. UFL players make $55,000 per season before potential performance bonuses during the season. It will be interesting to see if Johnson is in attendance for any of the other three games in Week 1 of the 2025 season.
Also Read: Second UFL head coach departs days before 2025 season starts and amid UFL players union outrage
Want to see more exclusive sports content like this? Follow Sportsnaut on MSN.
