Memphis Showboats (2023)

The Memphis Showboats are a professional American football team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Showboats compete in the United Football League (UFL) as a member of the USFL Conference. The team is owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson's Alpha Acquico and Fox Corporation. The Showboats play their home games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

History

The Showboats name and branding is based on the original Memphis Showboats of the original United States Football League. On November 15, 2022, it was announced that the Showboats were joining the United States Football League (USFL) to fill the Tampa Bay Bandits' spot after the team announced their hiatus for the 2023 USFL season. On the same day, Todd Haley was announced as the Showboats' inaugural head coach. Players and coaches from the existing Bandits team were transferred to the Showboats.

The Showboats finished the 2023 USFL season with a 5–5 record, placing third in the USFL South Division. The did not make the playoffs in 2023.

After the 2023 season, the showboats fired Head Coach Todd Haley.

In September 2023, ''Axios'' reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons. On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge, pending regulatory approval. The merger was made official on December 31, 2023, and the league intends to begin its combined season on March 30, 2024.

On January 3, 2024, the Showboats hired former New Orleans Breakers Head Coach and NFL Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo.

The Showboats concluded the inaugural 2024 UFL season season with a 2–8 record, placing third in the USFL Conference and missing the playoffs. On June 2, 2024, the Showboats played the Houston Roughnecks, who were tied for last place with the showboats. It was announced that the winner of the game would receive the number one overall pick in the 2024 UFL draft. The Showboats would win 19-12, earning the number one pick. The Showboats would be unable to capitalize on that first overall draft pick, as Jason Bean, whom the Showboats selected, chose not to sign with the team and stayed with the Indianapolis Colts.

On August 2, 2024, the Showboats General manager Dennis Polian stepped down from his position.

On August 9, 2024, DeFilippo and the Showboats parted ways after a 2-8 season in 2024.

On September 23, 2024, the Showboats hired Former Tennessee Titans Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt. This came after the departure of Head Coach John DeFilippo. The Showboats also hired Jim Monos as their new General Manager on the same day.

On March 24, 2025, Jim Turner was named the Interim head coach for the Showboats after Ken Whisenhunt took an indefinite leave of absence to tend to an unidentified personal matter. On March 31, 2025, Whisenhunt returned, but resigned permanently 16 days later. Turner again assumed head coach duties; Noel Mazzone assumed the offensive playcalling duties that Whisenhunt had been handling.

The Showboats have had among the UFL's lowest attendances. League vice President Daryl Johnston noted that the city had a small core of deeply passionate fans, which he compared to the early 2010s-era Bills Mafia in his own home area of Western New York, a fan base that had likewise emerged in a time when its team was in a prolonged period of on-field malaise. Johnston had hoped on using the Bills Mafia as a template to build the Showboats fan base by word-of-mouth.

The league has indicated that the Showboats, despite its poor attendance and on-field , will return at least for 2026. The Showboats benefit from an unusual sponsorship arrangement with FedEx, whose owner Fred Smith has long been involved in professional football efforts in the city. FedEx's sponsorship deal with the UFL and the Showboats runs through the end of the 2026 season.

Current roster

Players

Staff

Player history

Notable players

Coaches history

Head coaches

Offensive coordinators

Defensive coordinators

Records

Starting Quarterbacks

Regular season – ''As of June 2, 2025''

Most games as starting quarterback

Statistics and records

Season by season records

Rivalries

Houston Gamblers/Roughnecks

The Memphis Showboats shared Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee with the Houston Gamblers (now called the Roughnecks) during the 2023 season. In 2024, the two teams played against each other in the season finale for the number one overall pick in the 2025 UFL draft. The winner would get the number one pick, the Showboats won the game 19–12 and earned the 2025 number one pick. Currently the Showboats have a 3–1 record against Houston.

Franchise matchup history

* Defunct teams in light gray

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Memphis Showboats (2023)
American football teams established in 2022
American football teams in Memphis, Tennessee
United States Football League (2022) teams
2022 establishments in Tennessee
United Football League (2024)