The XFL is back! After a 19-year hiatus, Vince McMahon’s professional football league returned in February 2020. The revamped XFL was off to a strong start, but unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to cancel the remainder of the season.

The XFL was initially launched in 2001, but it only lasted for one season before going bankrupt. McMahon, who is the chairman and CEO of WWE, invested $200 million in the league’s rebirth, hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of sports betting and younger fans’ interest in non-traditional sports leagues.

The league featured eight teams, with four playing in the Eastern Conference and four playing in the Western Conference. There were no kickoffs, and teams had the option to go for 1, 2, or 3-point conversions after scoring a touchdown. There were also a few rule changes designed to speed up the game, such as a 25-second play clock and a shorter halftime.

The XFL had some big names associated with the league, such as former NFL quarterback Cardale Jones and former Heisman Trophy winner and NCAA record-holder, PJ Walker. The league’s games were broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and Fox, which helped draw in fans.

One of the biggest criticisms of the XFL’s first iteration was that the quality of play wasn’t up to par with the NFL. However, the league’s new leadership team, led by Commissioner Oliver Luck, aimed to change that by recruiting talented players, coaches, and officials from top college football programs and the NFL. The 2020 season showed some promising signs of higher-quality play, which made fans excited for the league’s future.

However, just five weeks into the season, the XFL followed the lead of other professional sports leagues and suspended play due to the pandemic. On April 10, the league filed for bankruptcy and was eventually sold to an ownership group led by actor and former WWE wrestler Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The sale price was reportedly $15 million, which was much lower than McMahon’s initial investment.

Under Johnson’s ownership, the XFL will likely make a return in 2022. Johnson has been a vocal supporter of the league and is excited about the opportunity to help it succeed. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Johnson stated, “I believe in the XFL and its potential for greatness. It’s a league that had incredible promise, and when that promise failed, so did millions of football fans across the country. I want to fulfill that promise, bring the XFL back to greatness, and make it a real alternative for football fans.”

With Johnson’s leadership and influence, the XFL could have a brighter future than it did under McMahon’s ownership. Johnson’s star power could draw in more fans and investors, and his passion for the league could inspire players, coaches, and staff to work harder and push the league to new heights.

In conclusion, the XFL’s return in 2020 was promising but was cut short due to the pandemic. However, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leading the league’s ownership group, the XFL has a real chance to succeed in its next iteration. Fans will have to wait until 2022 to see how Johnson and his team will revive the league, but many are excited about the XFL’s potential to become a viable alternative to the NFL.

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