Things have changed big time from the first incarnation of the XFL. So much so, the NFL is going to work with the league, which will be in its third incarnation when it starts in 2023.
The news was announced on Monday that the leagues will work together on innovation.
A field of possibilities, starts today.@XFL2023 🤝 @NFLFootballOps https://t.co/7uTTu8Ttss
— XFL (@XFL2023) February 21, 2022
Per the statement:
Health and safety will be a principal area of focus in both learning and innovation, with the XFL working with the NFL on forward thinking physical and mental fitness programs for players, the study of playing surfaces and equipment and the sharing of game trends and data.
Additional avenues for collaboration may include international football development and scouting, Â as well as officiating, including the testing of different game rules for player protection and enhanced overall play, and of different technologies to enhance officiating.
Both sides weighed in with statements on what at one time would have seemed like an implausible tag team.
“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the NFL in these important areas,” said Dany Garcia, Co-Owner and Chairwoman of the XFL, and business partner of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
“We are bringing forward an XFL that is progressive and forward-thinking when it comes to innovation, leveraging the newest technology to enhance game day experience. We have an open field for innovative rules to enhance in-game access. Sharing insights and practices between the XFL and NFL will do a tremendous amount of good for the game of football and support the player ecosystem overall.”
“The XFL has shown us that innovation is one of its core principles. We are hopeful that this relationship will support further development and improvements in the game of football at all levels.” said Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations.