XFL: A Third Try Adds NFL Collaboration

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The XFL is making a comeback during this spring offseason. In early 2020, Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and RedBird Capital Partners acquired ownership of the XFL for approximately $15 million. The XFL’s first comeback season that year was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will begin the third incarnation of the league in Spring 2023.

The Rock has been keeping fans updated on the league through his Instagram. A post on January 3rd where he explained how excited he was about was.

“I’m so excited to let you know that one year from today…. In exactly 365 days…. We will kick off our official 2023 XFL training camps!”

“All month long, this month our team of XFL executives are out there scouting the next great players!”

The first step was a collaboration with the NFL to create more opportunities for players on and off the field as well as becoming a development league. “We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the NFL in these important areas,” said Dany Garcia, Part Owner of the XFL.

“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.” Garcia

Expansion for additional avenues for collaboration may include international football development and scouting, different technologies, including the testing of different game rules for player protection and enhanced overall play, and officiating.

Towards the end of 2021 in December, the league announced six new hires for its head football operations departments.

CJ Cavazos – Director, College and Professional Relations

David Dykeman – Director, Football Special Projects

Russ Giglio – Senior Director, Player Administration, and Officiating Operations

Bobby Monica – Senior Director, Equipment Operations

Jim Monos – Senior Director, Football Operations

Brad Campbell – Senior Director, Football Technology

With the XFL and NFL partnership and the USFL emerging, there are plenty of opportunities for players who have been overlooked to revive their careers. From former first-round draft picks that were labeled busts to D-III back-ups, the expansion of these leagues gives everyone hope.

Some say the XFL is not a developments league and some say it is, but only time will tell. Not a lot of news has come out yet but things will begin to heat up as we creep towards 2023.