The XFL’s Rebirth: Can Vince McMahon’s Endeavor Succeed?
Feature - February 12, 2020
Despite having an opening week with ratings that rendered serious attention within the sports media market, the original XFL ceased to exist after its inaugural season. Millions of dollars were practically burnt through the endeavor, and McMahon even earned an ESPN 30-for-30 on his failure.
This week, almost 20 years after the original, the XFL made its return to the professional sports stage. Reborn with many of the same structural characteristics as before, but excluding the wrestling-like entertainment features, the league looks to learn from its past mistakes and land its niche in the professional sports calendar. Other leagues, like the Alliance of American Football, have also seen their efforts to broaden the game of professional football fail, so McMahon is determined this time to make his idea work.
The ultimate question to be asked as viewers tune in for the first time is: “Will the XFL work this time?”
The truth is that the answer is up in the air.