San Antonio Brahmas Overview
The San Antonio Brahmas were a professional American football team based in San Antonio, Texas. The Brahmas competed in the United Football League (UFL) as a member of the XFL Conference and South Division. The franchise was co-owned by Fox Corporation, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and RedBird Capital Partners. The team played their home games at the Alamodome and were known for their dark gray, yellow, and light gray team colors. The Brahmas achieved a notable accomplishment by winning the XFL championship in 2024. The franchise had a regular season record of 11–11 and operated until their closure in 2025.
Founding and Organizational Origins
The San Antonio Brahmas franchise traces its roots to the XFL’s earlier iterations. The original XFL launched in 2001 under Vince McMahon before the league was revived in 2020 with eight teams. After five games, the 2020 season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the league filed for bankruptcy. During that period, the XFL had begun discussions with San Antonio officials about relocating a team to the city, though those plans were put on hold. The Alliance of American Football had previously placed the San Antonio Commanders in the market, and that team had been the league’s best-attended franchise, averaging over 28,000 fans per game.
After the XFL’s bankruptcy, a consortium led by Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson acquired the league with plans to relaunch. In July 2022, the league announced that San Antonio would receive a new franchise, replacing the Los Angeles Wildcats from the 2020 season. Hines Ward was named the team’s first head coach, and the Alamodome was confirmed as the home stadium. The team name and logo were officially revealed on October 31, 2022. The name “Brahmas” was chosen for its connection to Dwayne Johnson, who has long used the American Brahman breed of cattle as his personal mascot. The breed itself is a hybrid derived from sacred zebu and American cattle.
Growth Into XFL Competition
The team entered the XFL as an expansion franchise preparing for the 2023 season. The franchise unveiled their yellow-gold and grey uniforms in December 2022. During the XFL draft, the Brahmas were allocated quarterbacks Jawon Pass and Anthony Russo, and they used their top draft pick to select running back Jacques Patrick. The organization built its initial roster and coaching staff while establishing operations in San Antonio, aiming to tap into a market that had shown strong support for professional football through the San Antonio Commanders.
The XFL season began on February 18, 2023, and the Brahmas compiled a 3–7 record during their inaugural campaign, missing the playoffs. Following the season, Head Coach Hines Ward resigned in response to a change in the league’s contract structure. The organization hired Wade Phillips, a veteran NFL coach, to replace Ward. During this period, the XFL announced a merger with the USFL. In September 2023, reports indicated advanced talks between the two leagues, and on November 30, 2023, Dany Garcia announced via Instagram that regulatory approval had been received. The merger became official on December 31, 2023, forming the United Football League.
San Antonio Brahmas Competitive Journey
The San Antonio Brahmas competed in professional spring football across two different league configurations during their brief existence. The team played in the XFL Conference of the UFL and competed in the South Division. Their competitive journey included one season in the standalone XFL and two seasons as part of the merged United Football League, culminating in their championship victory and eventual closure.
Early Seasons and Development (2023)
The Brahmas began competitive play in February 2023 as a first-year franchise. Playing in the XFL under Head Coach Hines Ward, the team struggled to find consistency during its inaugural season. The Brahmas finished with a 3–7 record, placing them outside the playoff picture. The challenging first year provided valuable experience for the organization as it built its foundation in professional football operations.
Following the season, Ward departed the organization, citing disagreements with the league’s new contract structure. The coaching change marked a significant transition for the franchise as it sought to improve its competitive position. The front office began searching for an experienced leader who could develop the team into a contender.
Breakthrough in UFL (2024)
The 2024 season represented a dramatic turnaround for the San Antonio Brahmas. With Wade Phillips now serving as head coach, the team competed in the inaugural season of the merged United Football League. The UFL featured eight teams competing across two conferences, with the Brahmas playing in the XFL Conference. Under Phillips’s leadership, the organization achieved the pinnacle of its competitive success by winning the XFL championship in 2024.
The championship victory marked the Brahmas’ first and only title during their operational history. The team finished the regular season with a competitive record that positioned them for a successful playoff run. This championship accomplishment validated the organization’s rebuild following the difficult inaugural season and established the Brahmas as a formidable franchise within the UFL landscape.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2025)
Following the championship season, Wade Phillips remained as head coach through the 2025 season. However, the offseason brought organizational challenges. Phillips experienced significant health issues during the training camp period, which limited his presence and created a leadership vacuum. According to reports from offensive coordinator A.J. Smith, this situation led to internal tensions between coaching staff and organizational leadership.
Smith had attempted to recruit quarterback A.J. McCarron, who had fallen out with a rival team during the offseason, but upper management vetoed the acquisition. Smith resigned two weeks into the 2025 season amid reported interference in offensive playcalling. Shortly after, Phillips was forced to take a leave of absence following a health emergency during an April game. Special teams coach Payton Pardee ascended to the head coaching position on April 16, 2025, and hired Jack Welch as his replacement.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The San Antonio Brahmas developed a distinctive identity rooted in the local community. The franchise cultivated strong ties to San Antonio’s Hispanic culture, with Spanish language playing an integral role in the team’s outreach and engagement with fans. This cultural connection helped the Brahmas establish a unique place in the UFL landscape and differentiate themselves from other franchises.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
The franchise achieved several notable milestones during its brief existence. The team’s championship victory in 2024 represented the highest point in organization history. The coaching transitions, from Hines Ward to Wade Phillips to Payton Pardee, reflected the evolving leadership of the franchise. On October 3, the UFL announced the closure of the Brahmas organization, with new ownership citing concerns about the Alamodome’s size. Players under contract were transferred to the Orlando Storm. A replacement franchise, the San Antonio Toros, was announced by the Continental Football League shortly after the closure.
San Antonio Brahmas Achievements and Results
The San Antonio Brahmas achieved significant success during their operational history, capturing one championship title and establishing themselves as a competitive franchise in professional spring football. The organization compiled an overall regular season record of 11–11 across its seasons of competition.
XFL Conference Achievements
The Brahmas won the XFL championship in 2024 during their first season as part of the merged United Football League. This championship represented the franchise’s sole title during its existence. The victory came in the inaugural UFL season following the merger of the XFL and USFL, establishing the Brahmas as champions of the XFL Conference.
Conference Achievements
Following the XFL-USFL merger, the Brahmas competed in the XFL Conference of the United Football League as a member of the South Division. The championship win in 2024 served as the franchise’s primary conference achievement, solidifying their place among the league’s top teams during the combined season format.
Divisional Achievements
The Brahmas competed in the South Division of the XFL Conference during their UFL tenure. The 2024 championship season saw the team establish itself as a divisional contender, qualifying for postseason play and ultimately winning the championship.
Series Achievements
The franchise’s championship victory in 2024 represented its most significant achievement in spring professional football. Head Coach Hines Ward led the team through its inaugural 2023 season before Wade Phillips took over for the championship campaign. Payton Pardee served as head coach in 2025 before the organization’s closure. Marc Lillibridge held the general manager position throughout the franchise’s existence.
