By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Vince McMahon, a wrestling mogul, is reportedly going to give football another opportunity. McMahon has reportedly created Alpha Entertainment, a separate venture outside of his WWE universe to create a new football league.
McMahon is reportedly looking to revive the XFL, a league that lasted just one season in 2001. Now, 16-years-later, McMahon wants to give it a go one-more-time.
The WWE confirmed the move, yet they did not deny a football move. Alpha Entertainment “[will explore] investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscape, including professional football.”
When the XFL was founded, it was owned by McMahon – when the company was known as World Wrestling Federation (WWF) — and NBC. The XFL played when the NFL was in its off-season and had fewer rules than their counterpart.
The XFL had just eight teams in two divisions. The teams were the Orlando Rage, Chicago Enforcers, New York/New Jersey Hitmen, Birmingham Thunderbolts in the Eastern Division.
In the Western Division, it had the Los Angeles Xtreme, San Francisco Demons, Memphis Maniax and the Las Vegas Outlaws.
Several weeks ago at the end of the 30 for 30 on the XFL, McMahon and former NBC chairman Dick Ebersol said they wanted to give things another go. Ebersol joked that he would have to put up his own money this time around.
“Yes, I do,” McMahon said. “I don’t know what it would be. I don’t know if it’s going to be another XFL or what it may be, or how different I would make it. It seems like, in some way, it would tie in either with the NFL itself or the owners.”
While the league lasted just one season, McMahon and NBCA brought many innovative things to the table that the NFL uses today.
According to Deadline.com, both NBC and the WWF lost $35 million on the $100 million investment during the 2001 season. That caused NBC to leave – and despite an initial interest to keep the league going from McMahon – he closed the operation in May 2001.
