In many ways, the XFL closing its doors was inevitable since the XFL canceled its season following the coronavirus pandemic. Given how Vince McMahon owns the league and his WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) has been losing money before the outbreak, it’s a surprise it lasted this long simply from the lack of income being generated.
It’s a simple matter of economics and events out of anyone’s control.
The news broke through Konnor Fulk with this statement:
https://twitter.com/KonnorFulk_XFL/status/1248645458798526465
A small crew will remain in the Connecticut headquarters.
As time has gone on, Konnor Fulk has shared more news as he’s learned of it.
- First, it appears there has been no mention of a 2021 season, so it’s doubtful the XFL will be back.
- Konnor Fulk reported the players will not be payed through the season despite previously being told they would be. Today, April 10, 2020, is their final paycheck including accrued vacation and overtime for players and league personnel.
- The players can stay on the league provided health insurance until the end of the month, then they can apply for COBRA insurance.
- If the XFL does return, it will probably do so without CEO and Commissioner Oliver Luck.
There was so much potential
https://twitter.com/KonnorFulk_XFL/status/1248646674635018241
More than anything, the XFL provided a first, second, and third chance to player that fell through the cracks in the NFL because of injuries or situations. Often, decisions are made based on who may provide greater depth, have more potential, etc and this was a great opportunity for many players.
It also allowed coaches like Kevin Gilbride, June Jones, Jim Zorn, and Jerry Gilbride to give back and help develop younger talent so they could get their foot in the door in the NFL. Other coaches were given the chance to show their ability to lead the players and run a program whether it was as a head coach or positional coaches.
Then there was the fact the execution was far above what many of us expected. It was exciting and showed so much promise going forward as an offseason option for the NFL.
This also opens (or closes, depending on one’s point of view) the debate between a single owner run league and a franchise system. With multiple sources, the league may have been better able to weather the storm and wouldn’t have been shut down by a person’s decision. But this debate is for another time.
The XFL was great while it lasted. It’s a shame it’s gone just when it started to get interesting.
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