XFL bidder very capable of restarting league
By Zac Wassink
This past week, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert and other outlets confirmed that WWE chairman and former XFL owner Vince McMahon would not try to repurchase the failed football league in bankruptcy court.
It appears the XFL may still find a third life via new ownership.
On Monday, Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal reported that one bidder who could acquire the XFL rights in August believes the league that suspended operations earlier this spring amid the coronavirus pandemic could be revived:
Judge approves an early-August date for selling what remains of the XFL. At least one bidder described as "very capable" of rejuvenating the league if it wins. https://t.co/id2pXJ79ey
— Ben Fischer (@BenFischerSBJ) June 1, 2020
As noted by Sports Illustrated’s John Wall Street, ratings for national televised XFL games fell throughout the premiere season of the reimagined league. However, markets such as St. Louis and Washington DC embraced the competition with impressive crowds and a type of atmosphere that attracted those watching from their homes to stadiums.
It’s worth noting that nobody knows how the XFL would have fared during March Madness that was canceled because of the uncontrolled virus outbreak. There were, however, signs that the springtime football league was an experiment worth repeating in 2021, perhaps in additional markets that don’t house NFL franchises.
