Photo: Instagram/xfl
Just in time to fill the void after the Super Bowl, the XFL is back, but this time it’s under the watch of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. If you’re wondering what XFL stands for, it doesn’t stand for anything, so feel free to use your imagination.
Transcript
1. It seems like everything Johnson touches turns to gold, and he’s hoping that’s the case for the defunct football league. He and his business partner (and ex-wife) Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the XFL for $15M five months after the league folded in August 2020. Vince McMahon, former chairman of the WWE (Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment), owned the league in its (failed) 2001 and 2020 iterations. TEAMWORK
2. The new (and improved?) league, which starts February 18, will have eight teams- the D.C. Defenders, Houston Roughnecks, Arlington Renegades, Orlando Guardians, Las Vegas Vipers, Seattle Sea Dragons, San Antonio Brahmas and St. Louis Battlehawks. The teams will play a 10-week season followed by the semifinals and the championship game on May 13. LET’S DO THIS
3. Johnson has had a longstanding relationship with Under Armour through Project Rock, which continues with the XFL team uniforms, sponsored by none other than Under Armour. Each jersey features a “Blood, Sweat, Respect” mantra – a personal message from ownership to players. WEARING YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE
4. What’s different about The Rock’s XFL compared to previous ownership? He has already established a five-year TV deal with major networks, and he’s partnering with the NFL (National Football League). BETTER TOGETHER
5. Leading the teams in a head coaching capacity are a group of high-profile collegiate coaches like Bob Stoops (Arlington) and former NFL players Hines Ward (San Antonio) and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (Vegas). LEADING THE PACK
There are some untraditional rules compared to an NFL or college football game. Here they are if you’re into that kind of stuff.
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