XFL Suspends Operations, Lays Off Staff

It appears the story of the XFL is over. The league announced today that they are suspending operations and have laid off the majority of its staff. There are currently no plans to relaunch in 2021.

The league shut down its season last month due to the coronavirus pandemic. They had played five weeks of games.

League CEO Jeffrey Pollack conducted a ten-minute conference call today, informing the staff of the news. It has been revealed that league commissioner Oliver Luck did not speak on the call.

XFL done. I'd blame drop in WWE stock and uncertain future economy as the culprits. Far more uncertainty about the ability to garner a paying TV deal. One of the biggest stories in hindsight was TNT giving AEW that deal in January.

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 10, 2020

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter offered his insight into why the league chose to cease operations. He blamed the drop in WWE stock as well as the uncertain economic climate for the league’s closing, noting the ability to generate a paying television contract was not certain.

This is the second time the XFL has closed. The first iteration of the league ran in 2001 and lasted one season. That league was far less successful than this one, costing owner Vince McMahon $35 million. This version of the league drew praise from sports analysts as it was nowhere near the disaster of its predecessor.

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• xfl
• Coronavirus
• Vince McMahon
• wwe

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