This will be the first of potentially several shifts in the Power Rankings of the now newly named United Grid League throughout the upcoming 2024 season. Last year, I was not too far off; going into the season, I had predicted that the Fort Lauderdale Lions would win the whole thing. However, that was not the case. The Orlando Aces entered the ’23 season firing on all cylinders and maintained that momentum against every team they faced. They went undefeated and claimed the first “Perfect Season” in the UGL. There were many strong performances by the Sharks and the previously mentioned Lions. While most teams walked away with one or two match wins, the Daytona Venom went winless amid several roster troubles.

Here we are in 2024, and there has been a lot of action in the offseason, with plenty of shake-ups among many of the teams. Let’s start with the reigning champs, the Orlando Aces, who have added a ton of depth to an already fairly stacked team. The Aces added four rookies of various specialties but also lost Olivia Scott and Nat Janzen, two great contributors to some of their past success. Although these are significant losses for their team, the rookies bring extensive experience in competition, and hopefully, that will translate into this team sport. Another loss for the Aces was David Blatt, who went to the SWFL Sharks.

The Sharks had a somewhat successful 2023 season but fell short of reaching the Championship, losing decisively in the Northern Conference Championship (NCC) to the Aces. In addition to acquiring Blatt from the Aces, the Sharks picked up players from all over the league, including Jessi Kuhlman from the Breakers, Kristen Crenshaw from the Venom, and Sydney Witter from the Brigade—all great additions, in my opinion. The team suffered several losses, but one player, Francisco Gomez, transitioned to Head Coach, adding his experience to the staff, which could also play a role in their season.

The Fort Lauderdale Lions have not seen much change, and that’s a good thing. The three-time Grid League champions were able to narrowly hold off the South Beach Palms in the Southern Conference Championship (SCC) only to fall to the Aces shortly thereafter. However, they demonstrated all season why they deserved to be in that final match. Many of their rookies and veterans from the 2023 season have re-signed. One major addition is utility player Briley Smith. I’ve seen him compete both on teams and individually, often standing atop the podium. He embodies what a utility player is, and I expect him to help the Lions contend for another championship this year.

The South Beach Palms, despite a strong showing last season, are facing roster troubles this year. They are currently short on male players, as a few signings have bailed before the season even started. A significant loss is Kodi Schaefer, a bodyweight specialist. Among the limited male players, a couple are new to the league but show great promise.

Looking north to the Tampa Bay Brigade, they have practically a new team altogether. In the offseason, they shockingly added 10 players to their roster. Seven have not played Grid, two were signed mid-season last year and played only one match, and one notable acquisition from the Aces is utility player Kyle Massey. This roster shake-up could pose challenges but might also be the key to getting the Brigade to the big show. Speaking with someone from the team, they said, “We added a lot of new players and ditched the drama.” I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how that pays off for them this year.

The Atlanta Wild (formerly Gainesville Wild) are the first team to move outside of Florida in the league’s new expansion. This move has likely posed logistical problems for some players, and depending on where most of the team resides, it could also significantly affect practice sessions. The team lost Justin and Meg Adams, a husband and wife duo. Conversely, they have added great experience to the roster with Matt Cable, Blake Kidder, Casey Blowe, and rookie Tom Sroka, a former NPGL player with the NY Rhinos. These additions could bode well for the somewhat newly formed team. It will come down to the big move and how well the Wild can adjust.

Rounding out the south, we have two teams left to watch. First, the Palm Beach Breakers. They underwent major changes in the offseason, with over 50% of the team now new players. Two veteran leaders they picked up are Josh Rundall (formerly with the Wild) and Sophia Davenport (last played with the Brigade). The remaining additions are rookies, and many of the players lost were significant contributors in previous seasons, so it will be interesting to see how the Breakers fare in the season opener on July 6th.

Lastly in the south, we reach the Daytona Venom. They struggled greatly last season and went without a match win. They have made some significant signings with great rookie prospects in both the bodyweight specialists and strength end of the team. They also made some good re-signings with Robbie Rodriguez, Alex Alvarez, Angelina Midas, Denise Tam, and mid-season signing from last year, Dylan Florentine. Their team is really a great group of athletes, but they were just lacking the time together last year to prepare. Hopefully, they have ironed out the wrinkles and are ready to seize a new opportunity when the season kicks off in Orlando.

All eight teams will face off on opening day, July 6th, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL at the USA FIT Games. After that, maybe we will revisit these rankings… maybe we won’t. Only time will tell. All I know is I am fired up for another action-packed season. Be sure to follow all things United Grid League on IG and YouTube, and be sure to turn on alerts so you can be notified when each match is kicking off!