Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Danny Garcia’s RedBird Capital Partners has announced a return of the XFL in the spring of 2021.
This. Is. The. XFL.
Remember that introduction by former XFL and WWE owner Vince McMahon back in 2001 before the league flopped and shut down?
It wasn’t quite the same when McMahon rebooted the league in 2019, but the XFL gave it another try but fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic and had to cancel its remaining season after just five games. The league filed bankruptcy and terminated its employees. It looked like the sequel flopped like the original effort.
But wait. It’s the gift that keeps on giving because Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Danny Garcia’s RedBird Capital Partners bought the league in August and we waited to see what would come of it.
Now we know.
In a video posted to Twitter on Thursday, the two announced a return to operations and play in the spring of 2021.
“Every XFL player, coach, city and fan is our top priority and we couldn’t be more excited to champion them in an electrifying 2022 season,” the pair said in a statement. “We are the new XFL — hungry, humble and no one will outwork us.”
It appears that the league will take its time to make sure it comes back the right way for sustainability as well. The league enjoyed some promising ratings and attendance before the coronavirus pandemic ruined the momentum and Jeffrey Pollack, the XFL’s president and CEO, is ready to capitalize on the asset and appetite the right way.
“The opportunity in front of us, with our new ownership, is simply too big to rush back,” Pollack said in a statement. “We want to do this properly with care and thought for everyone who loves football, especially our players, coaches, partners and fans.”
For anyone that likes football, this is exciting news, especially with a new ownership group and direction. The only question now is what former Ohio State players will be part of all the fun. Seeing guys like Cardale Jones and Jalin Marshall lay it all on the line in another league was a hoot this spring.
“Buckeyes in the XFL” might be a segment or piece coming to you soon.
Stay tuned.
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