Columbus Aviators (Official Thread)

[ScriptOhio]

The UFL introduces the Columbus Aviators, set to take flight in 2026

Columbus' new professional football team finally has a name. The United Football League (UFL) has unveiled the Columbus Aviators as its newest team.

abc6onyourside.com

Columbus' new professional football team finally has a name.

The United Football League (UFL) has unveiled the Columbus Aviators as its newest team, celebrating the region's pioneering spirit in aviation.

The Aviators will play at Historic Crew Stadium starting in spring 2026. The league also announced changes for two legacy teams: the Arlington Renegades will become the Dallas Renegades, moving to Toyota Stadium, and the Houston Roughnecks will be renamed the Houston Gamblers, relocating to Shell Energy Stadium.

"Today marks an important step forward for the United Football League," said Mike Repole, co-owner of the UFL. He emphasized the league's commitment to bringing professional football to cities with deep sports roots, including Columbus, Louisville, and Orlando. Repole, who joined the UFL ownership group in July 2025, is focused on the league's business strategy and growth.

The new teams, Columbus Aviators, Louisville Kings, and Orlando Storm, will join the Birmingham Stallions and DC Defenders. The league will operate as a united eight-team league from 2026, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.

Head coaches will be announced in the near future for the three teams, along with new uniform designs for all eight teams. The 43-game 2026 United Football League schedule, which will kick off on Friday, March 27, will be unveiled at a later date.

 

[Thump]

Bums

 

[Zurp]

Bums

I bet they can draft better than the Browns can.

 

[iambrutus]

I bet they can draft better than the Browns can.

good call, set the bar very low to setup for success

 

[Zurp]

good call, set the bar very low to setup for success

I set the bar low enough that I can trip over it and still probably succeed.

 

[ScriptOhio]

UFL Plans to Have Former Buckeyes Play for Columbus Aviators, Eager to Work with Ohio State

The UFL plans to give the Columbus Aviators first dibs on former Ohio State players who want to play in the league, and UFL leaders are eager to work with Ohio State however they can.

www.elevenwarriors.com

UFL Plans to Have Former Buckeyes Play for Columbus Aviators, Eager to Work with Ohio State​

Former Ohio State football players who aren’t on NFL rosters will soon have an opportunity to continue their professional football careers in Columbus.

The United Football League – the No. 2 professional football league in America – announced earlier this week that it will play in Columbus starting in 2026 as it relocates one of its eight teams to Ohio’s capital city for next season. The Columbus Aviators will play at Historic Crew Stadium, with the season set to begin in late March.

And the UFL has plans to ensure that former Ohio State players who join the league play in the same city where they were once college stars.
Mike Repole, who leads the league’s business operations after becoming a co-owner of the UFL earlier this year, says the league plans to give the Aviators first dibs on Ohio State players who are interested in playing in the UFL.

“Every player that comes out of that Ohio State program, if they want to continue playing football (in the UFL), they'll be playing here,” Repole said Thursday at the Columbus Aviators’ introductory press conference.

While the UFL has a draft and free agency, Repole indicated that each of the league’s eight teams will get the first opportunity to add players from colleges within a 100-mile radius of their home cities. All eight teams are owned by the league, giving the UFL the ability to decide if they want players to play for specific teams, though each team has its own general manager.
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[brodybuck21]

Ohio State Legend Ted Ginn Jr. to Coach UFL’s Columbus Aviators​

By Chase Brown on December 17, 2025 at 1:18 pm @chaseabrown__

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An Ohio State legend is coming home to lead Columbus’ newest football team.
The United Football League announced Wednesday that Ted Ginn Jr. will serve as the head coach of the Columbus Aviators, who will kick off their inaugural season at Historic Crew Stadium in March 2026.

“Ted Ginn Jr. represents everything that is great about football in the Buckeye State,” UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon said in a statement. “A proven winner, Ted combines a winning performance on the field and a deep knowledge of the game with tremendous pride for his home state. We look forward to Ted not only building the foundation of the Columbus Aviators, but also writing a new chapter in the history of Ohio football.”
Ginn shared Brandon’s excitement about the opportunity.
“Today marks a new milestone in my football journey,” Ginn said. “When I heard the United Football League was bringing a team to Columbus, I wanted to be part of creating a new winning tradition in a city that means so much to me. I can’t wait to start building this team, and I invite football fans throughout the state to join the Aviators as they take flight.”
Football runs deep in Ginn’s family. He is the son of longtime Glenville High School head coach and three-time Ohio high school state champion Ted Ginn Sr., and he spent 17 years as a player between Ohio State (2004–06) and the NFL (2007–20). That background gives Ginn the football IQ to excel as a head coach, his former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said.
“I’m so excited for the Columbus Aviators as Teddy Ginn Jr. joins the organization as its inaugural head football coach,” Tressel said. “Teddy will be a great influence on young men, and he will represent the Buckeye State and the UFL with class. He’s passionate about bringing a great product to Central Ohio and making a difference both in the community and in the game of football.”

Ginn was a first-team All-American at Ohio State in 2006, totaling 4,106 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns during his Buckeye career. In the NFL, he recorded 15,751 all-purpose yards and 42 touchdowns with the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears.
In October, UFL co-owner Mike Repole said the league plans to give the Aviators priority on Ohio State players interested in continuing their careers in the UFL.
“Every player that comes out of that Ohio State program, if they want to continue playing football (in the UFL), they’ll be playing here,” Repole said at the Columbus Aviators’ introductory press conference.
While the UFL maintains both a draft and free agency, Repole indicated that each of the league’s eight teams will have the first opportunity to sign players from colleges within a 100-mile radius of their home cities. Because the league owns all eight teams, the UFL retains the authority to determine team placement, though each club employs its own general manager.
Four former Ohio State players appeared in the UFL this past season: Damon Arnette, Steele Chambers, Antwuan Jackson and Rashod Berry. Arnette parlayed his performance with the UFL’s Houston Roughnecks — renamed the Houston Gamblers — into an NFL opportunity this fall.

Ohio State Legend Ted Ginn Jr. to Coach UFL’s Columbus Aviators

Ohio State legend Ted Ginn Jr. will serve as the head coach of the Columbus Aviators, who will begin their inaugural UFL season in March 2026.

www.elevenwarriors.com