XFL reboot: Spring football to return to Choctaw Stadium in 2023
Let’s call it XFL, Chapter 3.
The XFL is coming back. Again. Yes, again.
Arlington will be the home of one of eight XFL franchises when the league relaunches yet again in 2023. With the backing of a new investor and a new television contract, the league is ready to take another run at attracting spring football fans and wannabe NFL players.
The league made its official announcement on Sunday in a league-wide town hall meeting at Texas Live! in Arlington. A press conference is scheduled on Monday morning at Choctaw Stadium.
What should you know?
The support system
While professional bodybuilder turned businesswoman Dany Garcia and professional wrestler turned actor Dwayne Johnson are the front-office faces of the new league, they are partnering with Red Bird Capital. The New York investment firm owns stakes in many different sports businesses, including ownership of of the Italian soccer club A.C. Milan. RBC is also heavily invested in the Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Penguins, as well as pieces of Roush Fenway Racing, the New England Sports Network and others.
Third time is charm?
Remember the original XFL? Founded by pro wrestling mogul Vince McMahon in 2001, the league was jointly owned by McMahon and NBC. Both owned a 50 percent share. Shortly after the April 21, 2001 championship game when Los Angeles Xtreme beat the San Francisco Demons, the league folded.
McMahon backed the second version of the XFL in 2020. However, after five weeks, the league filed for bankruptcy in April 2020, partially due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. McMahon then sold the brand to Johnson and Garcia.
Dallas-Fort Worth area returns again
North Texas did not have a franchise in the original 2001 version. The league’s eight franchises were in Birmingham, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Jersey, Orlando and San Francisco.
The Dallas Renegades, coached by Bob Stoops, made their debut in the 2020 version. However, the league filed for bankruptcy after five games. The other franchises were located in Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay and Washington, D.C.
Officially, the XFL announced the region’s franchise as Arlington on Sunday. Arlington is one of three Texas franchises. The others are in San Antonio and Houston. Other franchises are in Seattle, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Orlando and Washington, D.C.
Remember the Renegades?
The Renegades had a 2-3 record when the league folded.
Familiar names on sidelines
The head coaches’ names are quite familiar.
Start with Wade Phillips. Yep, the long-time NFL assistant coach and former Cowboys head coach is returning to the XFL. He is coaching the Houston franchise.
The television contract
The XFL recently announced a five-year broadcast agreement with ESPN and the Disney Company. All of the league’s games are scheduled to be broadcast on ABC, ESPN or FX.
The 40-game regular season is scheduled to kick off on Feb. 18. There will be two playoff games and a championship game.
