The XFL is Back, But Can It Survive?

The original XFL was one of the most bizarre moments in sports history, complete with bad football, cheesy gimmicks, and total financial failure. But almost 2 decades later in 2020, Vince McMahon's dream of a professional spring football league is making its return. Will it be another catastrophic mistake, or will the revamped XFL have staying power as an alternative to the NFL for years to come through its innovative ideas and refocused mission? Today we're breaking down why there have been so many failed NFL competitors and the lessons the XFL needs to take from them if they want to have a chance to survive.

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[CongaLineMonkey]

I think one of the best ways to promote the XFL would be to develop a great video game that can eclipse Madden in playability.

[drzerogi]

I really hope the XFL works out. I'd love to have an alternative to the NFL.

[Adam.whitney]

I think it sticks around they took their time and imo the talent pool and facilities look way better than the aaf they also have respectable coaches

I aint gonna lie, the XFL wasnt that bad this week.. I was really surprised.

[kingster]

The XFL is like an edgy teen that grew up several years later and regrets what it said before

[bluesdoggg]

We forget there was once a league that did succeed, and forced the NFL to take notice and either settle up and become one, or face doom. Long live the American Football League.

[damonbrown]

I'm really rooting for the XFL. I was even a fan of AAF. Just give me more football.

[fryphilip]

Mr McMahon sold enough Wwe stock to keep the xfl alive for 3 years, afl didn’t have the money upfront

[rodrigodepierola]

If they aim at being second-tier, like soccer leagues have, they have a shot.

[Kharn]

"older and possibly wiser Vince McMahon"
The moment when you've been a wrestling fan for a while and you laugh hard because you know the mad old bastard has only gotten more mad as time progressed xD

[no]

For the XFL to survive long term, the league needs to develop and promote their players when their success and talent emerges. The league is only as good as their players that become stars.

[tohrazul]

This incarnation of the XFL has a couple of things going for it that could lead to success.

10 week regular season with no bye weeks. 2 weeks of playoffs. It's a short season that doesn't compete with any other major sporting events, just some regular season NBA and NHL games.

Television deals in place. This guarantees some level of exposure, even if it ends up being highlights on Sports Center. Casual fans of football can find games.

Money to keep the league afloat for 3 seasons (apparently). The biggest obstacle is often a lack of exposure due to leagues being unable to operate long enough to generate a fan base. If they can guarantee 3 full seasons and don't shuffle teams around, this problem could be eliminated.

Ability to draft potential or NFL caliber talent. By eliminating the 3 years out of high school rule that the NFL uses, the XFL could potentially get a few quality players who want to earn money now instead of having to go through the NCAA and all of their bullshit. They also can potentially get undrafted free agents and drafted players who were cut from the final 53 man NFL rosters, including some veterans. There is plenty of talent out there, the question is can the XFL tap into it.

Everything will depend on 2 major factors though: can they put a quality product on the field (I believe they absolutely can) and can they operate at a much lower financial cost than the NFL does. They certainly won't make NFL type dollars right out of the gate, and likely never will, but if they can operate at a lower cost and still be financially viable, it could work.

I think in the most likely scenario, this league is able to operate as a minor league for the NFL, where bubble players and potentially backups can get more playing time and experience for a year or two, or rehab post injury if they get cut from an NFL team. The absolute best case scenario is that the league sticks around long enough that the NFL wants to buy it and use it as their minor league officially or take a couple of teams as expansion teams if/when the NFL decides to expand.

[Cwright]

Don't hate on the XFL, it gives us options and choice. Competition creates better product for the consumers.

[jeromeshalom]

Every helmet has speakers and mics and camera. Imagine a broadcaster doing an interview mid play like they do in mlb

[gloyxrd]

I have high hopes for the xfl just hope it doesn’t turnout like the disaster the aff was

[beaujacobs]

I’m keen for non stop football.
Especially a faster product with less ref ball

[christiansmith]

As skeptical as I was when I first heard about the revival, I'm cautiously optimistic about it. The league has taken its time whereas the AAF, as well as XFL's predecessor, rushed things into existence. The rule changes don't feel cheesy or gimmicky in any way either and I feel they will do nothing but open the playbook to more amazing opportunities for coaches. If there is any league that can end the spring football slump, I think this is the one to do it. Because at the end of the day, America needs a football alternative. Soccer (I call it football, but whatever) has reserve teams and the opportunity to loan out players. MLB has the minor leagues. The NHL has the AHL. Basketball has the G-League and a variety of competent European leagues. Outside of the CFL, which is under-capitalized and a foreign entity, there is no place for good college players to go to develop their skills at the pro level outside of the NFL. And that is a shame, considering NFL roster slots are so finite. Any league that can potentially grab a market share of the sport in the States is mutually beneficial to the both the league (in this case, the XFL) and the NFL and increases the pool of players that are available and provides a viable option for players that aren't quite there yet.

So football fans, go easy on the XFL and be patient with it. Support it, as a win for XFL equals a win for football fans everywhere. Also, any league that attempts to fuck with the corruption machine that is the NCAA is a league I want to support.

My fingers are crossed hoping for the best. Oh, and go Guardians! New York needs a winner somewhere. Because God knows that the Yankees, New York City FC, and both of the NY-based NFL franchises haven't been able to get the job done in a minute. And don't even get me started on the Knicks and the Nets.

[michaelbatista]

What I love about Vince McMahon.

He's not afraid of failure. Hes afraid of not trying. I love that about anyone in the world of business. That's what great leaders are. Innovators and risk takers. Win, lose, or draw, they had the courage to fucking try. Much love for you Vince.

[eggsmiles]

You know what they say: the easiest way to become a millionaire is to be a billionaire.

[corvettezusa]

USFL had staying power until they decided to go into direct competition with the NFL. There's plenty of room for another football league. There's plenty of solid talent from college who don't make the draft/cut. The XFL's rule set makes it a different take on American Football enough that it could work as a stop gap for the talent level, and as coaches and players get settled, their skillset will evolve with them. As long as they keep it humble and positive, I think they'll get viewership.

And here's a possible controversial opinion: it would be in the NFL's best interest that XFL succeeds. I haven't looked for the current season, but interest/viewers has been on a decline for the last few years. Take your pick on the reasons but I think a good part of it is the product is so stale. From penalty controversies to questionable parity, the league could use a little brother of sorts to diversify football DNA.