The XFL put together an entertaining slate of games in 2020, their first after a 19-year hiatus from the original version of the league in 2001.
Unfortunately, this year’s version suffered a similar fate, not getting a chance to finish their season before getting shut down – although it happened for different reasons thanks to COVID-19.
Still, the league was sold rather quickly by Vince McMahon, who is now engaging in a very public legal battle with the league’s former president, Oliver Luck.
The dream is not dead, however, and recently gained some major traction with a report from USA TODAY that movie star and former WWE wrestler Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is part of a group that is purchasing the league for $15 million.
“The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that’s rooted deeply in two things — my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans,” Johnson said in a statement. “With pride and gratitude for all that I’ve built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL, and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans, and everyone involved for the love of football.”
The XFL, which had a team based in Los Angeles, only finished five weeks last season before a country-wide shutdown because of COVID-19.
Three former USC Trojans spent time in the XFL during the rebooted season; offensive linemen Chris Brown and Damien Mama, as well as wide receiver De’Quan Hampton.
Here’s to hoping we will see more of the innovative, unique brand of football – along with some additional Trojans – in 2021.
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