Controversial football league which lasted just one season in 2001, XFL, is set to return in 2020 according to Vince McMahon. XFL was a joint project by World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and NBC which had fewer rules and rougher play. The project failed after one season due to various issues and controversies that surrounded the XFL, but McMahon is willing to try again.
“The new XFL is an exciting opportunity to reimagine America’s favorite sport,” – said McMahon at a press conference on Thursday. “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.“
The reports about XFL resurgence started circling towards the end of 2017 when XFL trademarks were acquired by McMahon’s new company Alpha Entertainment. This company will be solely responsible for the league, and won’t have any ties with WWE. As of now, the league would start off with a 10-game regular season, during NFL break, and would have a postseason consisting of two semifinal games and a championship game. Like in the first XFL incarnation, the team would be league-owned in cities which are yet to be determined. You can check out Vince McMahon’s press conference below.
The original XFL featured many elements of the sports entertainment inspired by wrestling including the beef between the teams and players, staged events and suggestively-dressed cheerleaders. Players were mic’d, and the broadcast included aerial skycams in order to provide a better insight into the plays on the field for the TV viewers. Although the league drew big ratings at the beginning, the poor quality of football, odd presentation and extensive use of the entertainment elements among other issues forced NBC to pull off their support for XFL. Although Vince McMahon had plans to continue without NBC, the league was eventually canceled with Los Angeles Xtreme being its first and last champions.
