Return of the XFL?

[gilthethrill]

Does it really matter what they do? This league will not be well attended or viewed on TV. Any league that can't compete with the NFL in terms of salaries will never succeed down south. The USFL was the only league that had a chance, until the current POTUS' ego got in the way of it.

Seattle is expecting over 20,000 for their home opener, which according to the author of the article, Seattle has sold far more tickets than any other XFL franchise.

[ArgoZ]

Does it really matter what they do? This league will not be well attended or viewed on TV. Any league that can't compete with the NFL in terms of salaries will never succeed down south. The USFL was the only league that had a chance, until the current POTUS' ego got in the way of it.

True, but I think they will hobble mercifully through one season at least. The league can’t compete with the CFL for salaries, never mind the NFL. The great exodus of the talent up here didn’t and isn’t going to happen.

[paulwoods13]

I don't think we'll know the impact on the CFL until next September. If a lot of XFL guys get NFL camp invitations this summer, and some make NFL rosters, it will be a powerful incentive for guys who might otherwise have come to Canada to stay at home and player a shorter schedule with American TV broadcasts.

[ArgoZ]

I don't think we'll know the impact on the CFL until next September. If a lot of XFL guys get NFL camp invitations this summer, and some make NFL rosters, it will be a powerful incentive for guys who might otherwise have come to Canada to stay at home and player a shorter schedule with American TV broadcasts.

Of course, this only works if there is a second season. McMahon has invested 400 Million already in the XFL. If the league fails to turn a profit, is he going to fork over hundreds of millions more for a second season? With next to no one in the huge stadiums and the same watching on TV, the decision will be made for him.

[jerrym]

The XFL average 3.3 million viewers in its first game.

The XFL has gotten off to what ABC refers to as a “strong start” with 3.3 million for its kickoff game. ABC posted to Twitter to announce that the Seattle Dragons vs. DC Defenders game drew that average viewership mark on Saturday, with viewership peaking at 4.0 million from 4:45 to 5 PM ET.

The announcement did not reveal the demo ratings, which will likely be announced in the Nielsen report tomorrow.

The results for the first week were:
DC Defenders def. Seattle Dragons (31 – 19)
Houston Roughnecks def. L.A. Wildcats (37 – 17)
New York Guardians def. Tampa Bay Vipers (23 – 3)
St. Louis BattleHawks def. Dallas Renegades (15 – 9)

https://411mania.com/wrestling/xfl-d...s-from-week-1/

[jerrym]

Here's a more detailed analysis of the opening week of action:

https://www.cbssports.com/xfl/news/x...ighs-and-lows/

[gilthethrill]

I am going to have the tv remotes hidden today so I don't get trapped into watching theses debacles again this afternoon.

[jerrym]

TV viewership was down in just the second week as many of the curious dropped off. The game attendance was up. However, I wonder if the attendance numbers are hidden free tickets as has happened in a number of new football leagues.

As expected, the ratings for week two of the XFL took a hit but they were still very good. The attendance for the games also increased.

According to the Washington Post’s Jake Russell, the game on Saturday featuring the DC Defenders vs. New York Guardians drew 2.127 million viewers on ABC. That is down 36% from the 3.3 million viewers for last week’s ABC game on Saturday.

The Sunday game on ESPN featuring the Dallas Renegades vs. L.A. Wildcats drew 2.397 million viewers. That is down just 4% from the previous Sunday’s game which drew 2.495 million viewers. For what it’s worth, the game aired on ESPN which has a much lower market penetration than ABC. ESPN and ABC are owned by the same company but ABC has a much bigger reach.

The ratings for the XFL games on FOX are not available as of this writing. ...

According to 247 Sports, the attendance #’s for the games are as follows:
* Tampa Bay Vipers at Seattle Dragons: 29,172
* New York Guardians at DC Defenders: 15,031
* Dallas Renegades at L.A. Wildcats: 14,997
* St. Louis Battlehawks at Houston Roughnecks: 17,103

https://www.ewrestlingnews.com/news/...dance-s-are-in

[gilthethrill]

Watched NY host LA yesterday expecting Matt McGloin to painfully start at qb for the Guardians. Surprised when Luis Perez, the Birmingham Irons all time leading passer at the helm. Although his stats weren't impressive, he made plays when he had to as NY gained their 2nd W of the season. I doubt there were 8,000 in that stadium.

Good to see NY HC Kevin Gilbride wave off one of those annoying sideline reporters.

[jerrym]

Watched NY host LA yesterday expecting Matt McGloin to painfully start at qb for the Guardians. Surprised when Luis Perez, the Birmingham Irons all time leading passer at the helm. Although his stats weren't impressive, he made plays when he had to as NY gained their 2nd W of the season. I doubt there were 8,000 in that stadium.

Good to see NY HC Kevin Gilbride wave off one of those annoying sideline reporters.

There are mixed results when it comes to attendance. I also think numbers may be inflated by giveaway tickets in some cases as has happened with some other leagues in the past. Not wanting to play in smaller capacity stadiums may cause problems as the empty seats may overwhelm those who do show up. The Argos know something about that.

XFL commissioner Oliver Luck says he is satisfied with the progress of the revived spring-season American football league, but he admits that attendances in both Los Angeles and New York need to improve. Luck was speaking at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on February 29, where the New York Guardians drew a crowd of just 12,116 fans at the 82,000-capacity venue. It was the lowest crowd thus far in the rebooted XFL, down from the previous low of 12,211 which was set by the LA Wildcats last weekend. The cold weather in the New York area played some role in keeping fans away.

By sharp contrast, the St. Louis BattleHawks gained another strong crowd, with an attendance of 27,527 at the Dome at America’s Center, which was marginally down from their record opening crowd of 29,554. ...

Luck says XFL executives will re-examine team venues at the end of the season and indicated that it may make sense to move the Guardians out of MetLife Stadium – primarily the home of the National Football League’s New York Giants and New York Jets – to a smaller venue. He added that the league does not want its teams to primarily play in smaller venues to allow for the possibility of 30,000-plus attendances for play-off and championship games. Stadium availability is also an issue in certain markets, Luck added.

https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/o...ed-to-improve/

[bannedforlife]

XFL Attendance: Week 5 Grand Total sinks way below week 4 numbers
Damond Talbot nfldraftdiamonds.com March 8, 2020

The XFL has watched their attendance slowly start to dwindle. This week it was hard with Los Angeles posting horrible numbers. Next week we will see a push in numbers I think, but this week the numbers were not very great.

Here are week 1 numbers: Grand Total: 69,818 fans

St. Louis Battlehawks v. Dallas Renegades – 17,206
Tampa Bay Vipers v. New York Guardians – 17,634
Houston Roughnecks v. LA Wildcats– 17,815
Seattle Dragons v. DC Defenders – 17,163

Here are the numbers for week 2: Grand Total: 76,285

New York Guardians v. DC Defenders – 15, 031
Tampa Bay Vipers v. Seattle Dragons – 29,172
Dallas Renegades v. LA Wildcats -14,979
St. Louis Battlehawks v. Houston Roughnecks – 17,103

Here are week 3’s totals: Grand Total: 81,942

Houston Roughnecks v. Tampa Bay Vipers – 18,117
Dallas Renegades v. Seattle Dragons – 22,060
New York Guardians v. St. Louis BattleHawks – 29,554
DC Defenders v. LA Wildcats – 12,211

Week 4 XFL Attendance: Grand Total 70,224 fans

Los Angeles Wildcats v. New York Guardians – 12,116
Seattle Dragons v. St. Louis BattleHawks – 27,527
Houston Roughnecks v. Dallas Renegades – 18,332
DC Defenders v. Tampa Bay Vipers – 12,249

Week 5 Numbers: Grand Total: 64,246

Seattle Dragons v. Houston Roughnecks – 19,773
New York Guardians v Dallas Renegades – 15,950
St. Louis BattleHawks v. DC Defenders – 16,342
Tampa Bay Vipers v. Los Angeles Wildcats – 12,181

[gilthethrill]

XFL Attendance: Week 5 Grand Total sinks way below week 4 numbers
Damond Talbot nfldraftdiamonds.com March 8, 2020

The XFL has watched their attendance slowly start to dwindle. This week it was hard with Los Angeles posting horrible numbers. Next week we will see a push in numbers I think, but this week the numbers were not very great.

Here are week 1 numbers: Grand Total: 69,818 fans

St. Louis Battlehawks v. Dallas Renegades – 17,206
Tampa Bay Vipers v. New York Guardians – 17,634
Houston Roughnecks v. LA Wildcats– 17,815
Seattle Dragons v. DC Defenders – 17,163

Here are the numbers for week 2: Grand Total: 76,285

New York Guardians v. DC Defenders – 15, 031
Tampa Bay Vipers v. Seattle Dragons – 29,172
Dallas Renegades v. LA Wildcats -14,979
St. Louis Battlehawks v. Houston Roughnecks – 17,103

Here are week 3’s totals: Grand Total: 81,942

Houston Roughnecks v. Tampa Bay Vipers – 18,117
Dallas Renegades v. Seattle Dragons – 22,060
New York Guardians v. St. Louis BattleHawks – 29,554
DC Defenders v. LA Wildcats – 12,211

Week 4 XFL Attendance: Grand Total 70,224 fans

Los Angeles Wildcats v. New York Guardians – 12,116
Seattle Dragons v. St. Louis BattleHawks – 27,527
Houston Roughnecks v. Dallas Renegades – 18,332
DC Defenders v. Tampa Bay Vipers – 12,249

Week 5 Numbers: Grand Total: 64,246

Seattle Dragons v. Houston Roughnecks – 19,773
New York Guardians v Dallas Renegades – 15,950
St. Louis BattleHawks v. DC Defenders – 16,342
Tampa Bay Vipers v. Los Angeles Wildcats – 12,181

I have been watching the XFL for some reason, I really thought DC had a bigger crowd than that this weekend. No way 12 grand were on hand in LA. On another topic, I notice the MLS teams in both DC and LA allow the XFL to put adds and logos on their fields....er pitches.

[bannedforlife]

XFL announces Seattle Dragons will host game without fans
Posted by Darin Gantt on March 11, 2020, 2:50 PM EDT

With Washington Governor Jay Inslee calling for a ban of gatherings of more than 250 people in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus, the XFL has had to change plans.

The league announced this afternoon that Sunday’s Seattle Dragons-L.A. Wildcats game will be played without fans in the building.

“Based on the proclamation issued Wednesday by Washington Governor Jay Inslee, the Seattle Dragons will host the LA Wildcats this Sunday, as scheduled,” XFL president and COO Jeffrey Pollack said in a statement. “The game will take place at 4 p.m. PT at CenturyLink Field without fans in the venue. The game will be broadcast live, also as scheduled, on ESPN2.”

The Dragons have attracted more than 20,000 for each of their two home games. One concessions worker recently tested positive for coronavirus.

The limit of 250 people will not be simple to hit, considering all the players, coaches, medical staffs, and all the other people who make a game go, along with broadcast crews.

[Argo57]

It appears the XFL is done for good, hopefully McMahon pisses and stays out of pro football for good.

https://3downnation.com/2020/04/10/x...all-employees/

[Neely2005]

It appears the XFL is done for good, hopefully McMahon pisses and stays out of pro football for good.

https://3downnation.com/2020/04/10/x...all-employees/

Another article:

https://www.cbssports.com/xfl/news/x...21-per-report/

[gilthethrill]

It appears the XFL is done for good, hopefully McMahon pisses and stays out of pro football for good.

https://3downnation.com/2020/04/10/x...all-employees/

Had COVID 19 situation not developed, I think the XFL would have someone been back for a 3rd...I mean 2nd season. Hope the CFL can survive what Vince's league could not.

[Argo57]

Had COVID 19 situation not developed, I think the XFL would have someone been back for a 3rd...I mean 2nd season. Hope the CFL can survive what Vince's league could not.

I think the 2020 CFL season is toast, depending how long this pandemic lasts there will likely be complications for the 2021 season, player travel, paid attendance etc.
Just as the 911 attacks forever changed travel I think this crisis will change many other things moving forward.
Simple things like grocery shopping, taking your family out to a restaurant or a movie will be drastically reduced, vacations at home instead of travelling abroad will become much more prominent.
The business world will realize that it can still function effectively with staff working from remote locations (home) which will reduce the need for commercial and industrial real estate.
Webinars, video conference calls will eliminate much of the need for business travel (a trend that started before this pandemic).
Look for delivery services of all types to thrive as a result of this, online ordering with curb pickup maybe here to stay.
Above all I hope all of you and your families stay healthy and safe!

[paulwoods13]

I think the 2020 CFL season is toast, depending how long this pandemic lasts there will likely be complications for the 2021 season, player travel, paid attendance etc.
Just as the 911 attacks forever changed travel I think this crisis will change many other things moving forward.
Simple things like grocery shopping, taking your family out to a restaurant or a movie will be drastically reduced, vacations at home instead of travelling abroad will become much more prominent.
The business world will realize that it can still function effectively with staff working from remote locations (home) which will reduce the need for commercial and industrial real estate.
Webinars, video conference calls will eliminate much of the need for business travel (a trend that started before this pandemic).
Look for delivery services of all types to thrive as a result of this, online ordering with curb pickup maybe here to stay.
Above all I hope all of you and your families stay healthy and safe!

I agree with pretty well all of this. Also, govts will reassess things like big transit expansion projects because we now have a degree of proof that working remotely is just fine for most white-collar jobs (and the money to dig out from all this economic support and health-infrastructure spending has to come from somewhere; some previously planned spending will have to go). I would not want to be heavily invested in airlines, cruise operators or paper products, to name three businesses that are likely going to undergo major structural change.

As for the CFL, its long-term survival is certainly in question. If a lot of people decide they don't want to get into big crowds (and there will be more viruses in the future -- a vaccine would eliminate COVID-19 but not others that haven't yet emerged), any business heavily reliant on in-person attendance will be changed forever. Some of those businesses won't survive. To be clear, I'm not predicting the death of the CFL, just saying its continuing existence post-COVID is far from certain. The league had better be doing some serious contingency planning behind the scenes.

[argolio]

XFL files for bankruptcy: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...or-liquidation

Alpha’s largest creditors include the St. Louis Sports Commission -- owed $1.6 million -- and XFL coaches Bob Stoops and Marc Trestman, owed almost $2 million combined, court papers show.

Maybe the CFL can get some relatively new equipment for cheap.

[gilthethrill]

XFL files for bankruptcy: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...or-liquidation



Maybe the CFL can get some relatively new equipment for cheap.

Perhaps a microphone or two...maybe even some new whistles.