XFL announces schedule + TV partners

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XFL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XFL</a> has four new homes.<br><br>Announcing our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/XFL2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#XFL2020</a> broadcast partners:<a href="https://twitter.com/ABCNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ABCNetwork</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPN</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FoxSports</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/FS1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FS1</a> 📺<br><br>More info at <a href="https://t.co/hAlDLJuvRV">https://t.co/hAlDLJuvRV</a>. <a href="https://t.co/YmBPhkTez5">pic.twitter.com/YmBPhkTez5</a></p>&mdash; XFL (@xfl2020) <a href="https://twitter.com/xfl2020/status/1125384720781459457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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https://i.imgur.com/uKghz4l.jpg

[Big Vic]

Hmm interesting

[Simple Fan]

Thats pretty good compared to what the AAF had. Seeing some of the rules they are using it looks interesting.

[Droford]

Disney bought FOX so obviously being on those channels makes sense

[Jordan]

Looks good. I may give it a shot, I'm like really not interested in football but I can enjoy a good game. Same with Soccer.

[slik]

Disney bought FOX so obviously being on those channels makes sense

Disney did not buy FOX Sports (FS1 & FS2), FOX Broadcast or FOX News.

Disney did buy the regional FOX sports channels which they are selling to Sinclair (which could be good for ROH).

[xrodmuc316]

Wow, Vince just getting more money lol.

The guy might not know how to produce compelling wrestling anymore, but he is a genius at getting paid.

[slik]

Actually...

Looks like the deal is not for rights fees. Instead the networks will cover production costs. I guess XFL gets $ from tickets/merchandise and splitting some of the ad revenue.

[erickman]

last time espn killed xfl this time espn will air it how things change

[#1-norm-fan]

At least they’re staying out of prime time this time. One of the biggest mistakes they made the first time was going too big too soon. The only way this succeeds is if Vince can put his ego in check and understand he’s basically gonna be the TNA of professional football and the world isn’t gonna tune in in droves from the get-go.

[slik]

Per schedule, XFL will air two games the same day as WrestleMania

[#1-norm-fan]

There's a team in Tampa too, isn't there? Gonna have to factor that into their schedule so they don't play a home game that weekend.

[#1-norm-fan]

Which reminds me how empty those stadiums are gonna look during games.

[Rammsteinmad]

I hope XFL doesn't become like WWE where two games a weekend will turn into 17 games a week, plus reality shows, ridealongs etc.

[ClockShot]

Better gig than what AAF had.

But still, Vince gotta make this work......again.

[Triple A]

hoping they still have horny segments like having The Undertaker give us a tour of the cheerleader locker room

[Emperor Smeat]

I hope XFL doesn't become like WWE where two games a weekend will turn into 17 games a week, plus reality shows, ridealongs etc.

I'd be surprised if the league even lasts long enough to do any meaningful expansion.

Networks might be getting very desperate for live content but audiences are not that desperate to watch lower tier sports games in the long run.

Vince got lucky his main competitor already collapsed but completely misjudged NFL's kneeling controversy lasting long enough for XFL's benefit.

[DAMN iNATOR]

If it's gonna be on FOX, get Pat Summerall and John Madden back in the booth. :shifty:

[Loose Cannon]

I am not sure what's expected of the league in terms of viewership and profit, but i don't see how this thing makes it out of the first year. but again, if they expect the same viewership as like an afternoon of bowling on ESPN, then i guess?

[xrodmuc316]

The fact that they are not primetime games takes a lot of the pressure off.

Also, no rights fee is a solid trade-off for the networks footing the bill for all the production and promotion of the league. That is what sunk AAF so quickly, and they had nowhere near the potentional audience XFL will have with Fox, ABC, and ESPN+ for streaming options.

I still don't feel there is a market for a secondary football league, but XFL has a much better foundation than AAF did, so if the football is decent, I can see it working out.

By working out I don't mean any major success, but I think if the bar is set at lasting more than one season, I think they have a good shot.

[Emperor Smeat]

Supposedly Vince is losing roughly the same amount of money per week trying to get the XFL running again as the AAF did before it collapsed.

Observer's Dave Meltzer reported that AAF lost around $10 million per week before it shut down while Vince is currently looking at a similar range for weekly losses and speculated potential losses in the $350 million range over the next few years (if it lasts that long).

ESPN had an article earlier this year that mentioned Vince was preparing to spend around $500 million to get the league running again for at least 3 seasons.

[Tom Guycott]

Thats pretty good compared to what the AAF had. Seeing some of the rules they are using it looks interesting.

Yeah. I might check a look if the games actually show up on TV... which will give them a leg up from AAF.

[Tom Guycott]

At least they’re staying out of prime time this time. One of the biggest mistakes they made the first time was going too big too soon. The only way this succeeds is if Vince can put his ego in check and understand he’s basically gonna be the TNA of professional football and the world isn’t gonna tune in in droves from the get-go.

The fact that they are not primetime games takes a lot of the pressure off.



One small plus of the primetime was Jim Ross's legendary call of the one triple overtime game that pre-empted SNL: "I think I just heard Lorne Michaels FAINT!"

... but yeah, nice to fill in some of that lull weekend infomercial time with something other than bullriding or following some scrub boxers I never heard of.

I hope XFL doesn't become like WWE where two games a weekend will turn into 17 games a week, plus reality shows, ridealongs etc.

Hopefully, at the very least, they learned their lesson from last time with trying to manufacture drama and storylines. I left out the camera thing, because although everyone snarked about them going over the top with camera angles, now both the NFL and NCAA have adopted pretty much everything XFL did in that aspect except putting a live mic on the popcorn vendor.

[Simple Fan]

Oliver Luck has said the XFL might not test for marijuana.

[rockman725]

If done right, this could be a really good product. All they need to do is not over-shoot themselves in style and presentation and take what the NFL doesn't do right and apply it accordingly. There is no need to go to extremes, but a solid football game with players that are invested in themselves and the sport will be enough to satisfy most football fans. Just remember, all those years of the Browns losing, fans were still going to games, right? Same for Lions, Jets, and every other team that had years of struggles in recent past.

I watched a little of the AAF and the most common thing I saw from the players was that a lot of them looked like they didn't care to be out there. After 2 weeks of games, I switched off.

This could be a gold mine in betting and fantasy football. I'm not really a gambler per say, but I like me some fantasy football and I'm already preparing for my XFL 2020 league!

[xrodmuc316]

Oliver Luck has said the XFL might not test for marijuana.

That would be smart since NFL will not allow it.

That said, how pissed would the wrestlers that have been paying $500 fines for years be? Randy Orton might give Vince another punt kick.

[Emperor Smeat]

Oliver Luck has said the XFL might not test for marijuana.

Doubt that plan is going to last long because it puts a big dent in the potential of them ever forming a partnership with the NFL. Also affects where they can expand since at the moment, only about 2/3rds of states have weed as a legal drug.

As much as Vince wants to believe XFL can compete or be a viable separate league, XFL's best hope in the long run is to get a partnership made with the NFL. Its why AAF was very desperate to prove to the NFL they were worthy of being partners and as a developmental system for the league.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Oliver Luck has said the XFL might not test for marijuana.

I guess we'll see if Josh Gordon can get back with the Patriots or sign up with the XFL.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

That would be smart since NFL will not allow it.

That said, how pissed would the wrestlers that have been paying $500 fines for years be? Randy Orton might give Vince another punt kick.

It's 2,500.

[Simple Fan]

Doubt that plan is going to last long because it puts a big dent in the potential of them ever forming a partnership with the NFL. Also affects where they can expand since at the moment, only about 2/3rds of states have weed as a legal drug.

As much as Vince wants to believe XFL can compete or be a viable separate league, XFL's best hope in the long run is to get a partnership made with the NFL. Its why AAF was very desperate to prove to the NFL they were worthy of being partners and as a developmental system for the league.

Yeah I don't see the XFL wanting to partner with the NFL like the AAF did. Especially with the XFL trying to reinvent football. Really doesn't matter if it's legal or not if the league isn't testing for it.

If the XFL can find a core audience like the Big 3 basketball league has I think they'll do okay. The AAF seemed to need a NFL partnership from the start and that just doesn't seem like something Vince is interested in.