[lawrence-newsletter]
The XFL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier today just three days after suspending all operations and laying off most of the league’s staff.
The newest up-start football league was attempting to do what the AAF tried last year and what other leagues have been previously unsuccessful at doing: creating a spring football league that ensured year-round football on the American television calendar.
After it took the AAF only eight weeks to collapse last year, the new-look XFL was actually gaining some traction on television and in the public interest. This traction was due in large part to revolutionary broadcast strategies including live mics on coaches and sideline interviews of players during the game, and to the league aggressively using social media to promote their product. It was also due to the allure of new rules adopted by the league, those including a completely different kickoff, no extra point kicks and the teams allowed two forward passes during a down instead of one, that people became interested in watching owner Vince McMahon‘s product.
In the end however, as everyone knows, today’s pandemic made it impossible for their season to continue and eventually led to the destruction of the league.
In addition to countless media members, coaches and other league staff losing their jobs, the cancellation of the league ruined the dreams of many players trying to use their XFL opportunity to showcase their skills to the NFL and hopefully end up on a team once August comes around.
For 14 players, the five-week season proved long enough to get them noticed and signed by an NFL team. For the rest, though, that opportunity now may no longer be available.
Where does all of this connect to the Wisconsin football team?
Three former Badgers–wide receiver Tanner McEvoy, linebacker Garret Dooley and cornerback Darius Hillary–are now all without a job after this week’s news.
McEvoy actually made it to the NFL after departing Madison in 2016, though after two years with the Seattle Seahawks he was released and has since struggled to find a home in the league.
His XFL career ends with just one catch for 11 yards.
Dooley, on the other hand, was unable to stick on an NFL roster after leaving college and now was able to record just two tackles during his XFL career.
Finally, Hillary bounced around between five NFL teams after his college career and was on a team’s active roster for just one week. He then was a member of the inaugural season of the AAF though suffered an injury early in the season.
His XFL career is now complete after he recorded 17 tackles, one quarterback hit and three passes defended.
What is next for these for these players is unknown, though it’s safe to say the idea of a spring football league is not one we will be seeing acted upon again for a long time.