Cyclones in the XFL
- Thread starter PickSix
- Start date
I think they're just done. None of them really drew crowds anyhow. They have the right markets to make it work.
Having something of a partnership with the NFL rather than competing hopefully will push them over the top. The NFL should really like having a developmental league for guys on the cusp rather than having to just rely on the college ranks.
As was mentioned before, they're done.
The league held a draft on Friday re-allocating players from those rosters onto the surviving teams.
Not to mention that the USFL teams being shed never even played in their home city.
The only real loss is the XFL's Seattle team as they were solidly supported and pretty good. Orlando and Vegas were pretty big flops.
Not just for players, either. It's a wonderful place for the NFL to give rule changes it's considering a test run before messing with the main product. Personally, I'd love to see the XFL's kick-off rules come to the NFL.
I didn't watch a ton, but I remember catching a Seattle game and I didn't think they were on the same level as DC, Houston, or St Louis.
Agreed.
According to attendance #s they were on par with Arlington, They did much better than Orlando/Vegas, but still didn't do enough to compel the league to keep them around.
I think the they picked the right teams.
I think Seattle might have held on, but being a geographic outlier probably kept them out. It is a good thing they got to this point, a lot of money was lost between both leagues trying to prove the relative benefits of their independent business models for a football league.
Despite losing $60 million last year, I think the XFL won the war by doubling down on real fan bases, and now gets the benefit of the full backing of three tv networks who were more involved with the USFL. This combined league stands a shot. Seattle may get an opportunity in a few years if the UFL flourishes, but I bet they will not be real quick to expand unless the profitability comes quickly.
Despite losing $60 million last year, I think the XFL won the war by doubling down on real fan bases, and now gets the benefit of the full backing of three tv networks who were more involved with the USFL. This combined league stands a shot. Seattle may get an opportunity in a few years if the UFL flourishes, but I bet they will not be real quick to expand unless the profitability comes quickly.