The idea seemed far-fetched to start with the different rules and field sizes. And on Wednesday, the CFL announced it is no longer pursuing a working relationship with the XFL.
“Our talks with the XFL, exploring the potential for collaboration and innovation, have been positive and constructive. While we remain open to finding new ways to work together in the future, we and our XFL counterparts have jointly decided to not pursue any formal arrangements at this time,” the league said in a statement.
The CFL 2021 season will begin Aug. 5. Its 2020 campaign was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was a sort of synergy to the a CFL/XFL partnership as Dwyane Johnson is one of the honchos of the twice-defunct league launched by WWE boss Vince McMahon.
Johnson spent some time in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders. However, his career took off on other platforms.
“We at the CFL are now squarely focused on preparing for August 5th and the start of our 2021 regular season, which will culminate December 12 with the playing of the 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ontario.
We are looking forward to this year and a bright future for our league.”