BREAKING: United Grid League Expands with New Team in Houston!
Yesterday, the United Grid League (UGL), formerly the Florida Grid League, announced a major expansion—a brand-new Houston-based team operating out of CrossFit Enoch, led by Grid athlete and now team owner, Sophia Davenport.
ICYMI: Grid, originally launched by CrossFit’s former Media Director Tony Budding, was designed to bring high-speed, team-based competition to fitness. Backed by big names, major broadcast deals, and top CrossFit athletes, the National Professional Grid League (NPGL) had all the makings of success—until investor withdrawal led to its downfall. But the sport never died. It lived on in Florida and is now making serious waves under Mather Wiswall’s (UGL Commissioner) and Ruby George’s (Co-Founder) leadership.
This Houston team will be the UGL’s ninth team and the second outside of Florida (Atlanta is the other team not in Florida). Despite early criticism from the CrossFit community, Grid is experiencing massive growth.
In 2021, FGL had 15 matches with just 21,000 total views on YouTube. In 2024, the UGL has had 14 matches so far with over 407,000 total views. Meanwhile, CrossFit seems to have been stuck in a market contraction. Could this be the future of fitness sports?
The UGL has been looking to add two teams for its 2025 season. Houston marks the first new team.
Sophia Davenport and Carissa Macay are the owners of the new Houston team. Both are current UGL athletes and will take on the dual role of player/coach in 2025.
Y’all know me—I’ll be keeping an eye on Grid, and who knows, maybe Heat 1 will join the party soon. Hate ‘em cuz you ain’t ‘em.
The 2024 UGL Championship is at the Fit&Flex Expo in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, on November 16-17. Â
