It is back, the XFL has returned and Vince McMahon will make a second attempt at running his own professional football league.
Here are some more details about the league which will launch in 2020:
“The XFL will deliver a fan-centric, innovative experience, including shorter, fast-paced games and a family-friendly environment, complemented by cross-platform viewing options and real-time fan engagement.
Plans for the XFL at launch include eight teams, 40-man active rosters and a 10-week regular-season schedule, with a postseason consisting of two semifinal playoff games and a championship game.
“The new XFL is an exciting opportunity to reimagine America’s favorite sport,” said McMahon. “As we move towards kickoff, we look forward to listening and implementing innovative ideas from players, coaches, medical experts, technology executives, the media and most importantly football fans.”
McMahon, a visionary and an accomplished business executive, is personally funding this venture through Alpha Entertainment, a new private entity. McMahon will continue as WWE Chairman & CEO.”
Here are some of the highlights from the conference call:
- McMahon claimed that this would not affect his current role in WWE and won’t affect his current duties there. In fact, he said this may be the only time he’s the public face of the venture. There would also be “no crossover whatsoever” with WWE.
- When asked why this isn’t associated with the WWE this time, he mentioned the cost of getting things up and running was a bit too high of a price tag to put on the WWE. A $100 million dollar investment is a little too big for the company.
- Vince said that this game would have nothing to do with politics and nothing to do with social issues. When asked about the National Anthem, he said it was a “time honored tradition to stand.” He “thinks it’d be appropriate” to make it a rule to stand for national anthem and “whatever our rules are, everyone will abide.”
- When it comes to players, they want someone who “does not have and criminality associated with them whatsoever.” when asked about players such as Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow, or Colin Kaepernick. He said that even a DUI would not meet their criteria. He mentioned someone like Tim Tebow would be welcome to try to join the league. When asked specifically about Kaepernick, he didn’t say yes specifically but anyone who would “abide by the rules” would be eligible to play.
- There are no announcements regarding cities yet. Vince reinforced this when specifically asked about San Diego and Pittsburgh.
- When asked about CTE, his answer was rather generic. He said it would be “As safe as possible” but also “It is still football.”
- When asked about the possibility of over-saturation of football, he said he believes there’s still interest and mentioned taking advantage of the off-season, the season starting in January/February.
- The goal is a quicker game, and they are aiming for the length to be around two hours.
- “We’re not there yet” on whether or not there will be nicknames on the back of the jerseys, though made a point that people still remember the name “He Hate Me.”
- When asked if he consulted his wife Linda McMahon on this decision McMahon replied “No.”
Here is a video of the announcement for those that missed it:
