XFL

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia announced Monday night training camp for the latest edition of the XFL will begin on Jan. 3, 2023.

Johnson posted a message on Instagram:

In exactly 365 DAYS, we will officially kick off our 2023 XFL TRAINING CAMPS.

As an XFL owner and a man who has put his callused, dinosaur hands in the dirt—I can guarantee you that our XFL PLAYERS will be the hardest and hungriest workers in the room.

Our message to the FOOTBALL NATION—we are building our one of kind XFL CULTURE for you.

Garcia also confirmed the news on Twitter:

Johnson, Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the XFL in August 2020.

WWE chairman Vince McMahon originally launched the alternative football league with NBC in 2001. It was promoted as an old-school, hard-hitting brand of football with several gimmicks to differentiate it from the NFL, but it lasted just one season.

McMahon gave the idea another try in 2020 with a focus on forward-thinking ideas, including a reimagined kickoff, more options after touchdowns and various officiating alterations. The league showed promise, but it was forced to shut down amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson, Garcia and Co. secured ownership via bankruptcy proceedings.

Garcia told ESPN's Kevin Seifert following the purchase the plan was to build off the foundation McMahon's second XFL attempt put in place.

I think there was a lot to build on and not so much a matter of changing it. Any format change would be because of COVID-19. That would be the reason. The roots and the bones of what were there were excellent. I like the speed of play. I loved the access. I think there is probably some elegance that can be added so that maybe it's not as disruptive. But being in the box when they're reviewing the calls, and reviewing the penalties? Those were moments when you really felt that you were with and knew the players. So that was amazing to bond with that football experience. There was a lot of great, great work. It's the opportunity to say, 'OK, that was fantastic. How do we make it 10 times better?'

The XFL conducted talks with the Canadian Football League in mid-2021 about potentially working together, but no deal was finalized.

"Our talks with the XFL, exploring the potential for collaboration and innovation, have been positive and constructive," the CFL said in a July statement. "While we remain open to finding new ways to work together in the future, we and our XFL counterparts have jointly decided to not pursue any formal arrangements at this time."

So the XFL has moved forward with plans to operate independently beginning in early 2023. With training camps set to begin late in the NFL season, the campaign will likely kick off during the final stages of the NFL playoffs or shortly after the Super Bowl.

It'll once again be a chance for players on the NFL fringe to prove themselves. Quarterback P.J Walker, the XFL MVP favorite when play was halted in 2020, is now a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Cardale Jones is three years removed from being on an NFL roster, but he hasn't given up the dream of continuing to play professional football.

Jones told TMZ Sports he hopes to get back on the field soon—whether it's with the XFL or NFL.

"XFL, NFL—whatever it may be, if the opportunity is there, I'm definitely going to take advantage of it," Jones said.

Jones last played professional football in 2020 for the DC Defenders of the XFL. He threw for 674 yards and four touchdowns against seven interceptions in five starts before the league shut its doors amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The XFL has since been purchased by an investment group led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with plans to relaunch in 2023. 

Jones will be in his 30s by the time the XFL relaunches, and he's shown little aptitude as a professional quarterback at any level. That said, he still has name value dating back to his time at Ohio State that could help lend some headlines to the XFL when things get restarted. 

A potential partnership between the CFL and the XFL appears to be dead, at least for the moment. 

"Our talks with the XFL, exploring the potential for collaboration and innovation, have been positive and constructive," the CFL announced in a statement Wednesday. "While we remain open to finding new ways to work together in the future, we and our XFL counterparts have jointly decided to not pursue any formal arrangements at this time."

The two leagues released a joint statement in March announcing they had "agreed to work together to identify opportunities for the leagues to collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football."

And Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reported in April that the CFL and XFL were exploring the possibility of interleague games, an interleague championship and a shared All-Star Game, with a future merger the "long-term objective."

The leagues would play their own schedule, with the possibility of interspersing some interleague games throughout their respective seasons before the two champions of each league would meet for an interleague championship game. 

But those ambitions appear to now be on the backburner. 

The XFL's future is now in question. The league has folded twice, first in 2001 after just one season and again in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, just five games into its reprisal. 

"It's done," a prominent XFL staffer told ESPN's Kevin Seifert and Field Yates at the time. "It's not coming back."

But an investment group headlined by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson agreed to buy the league in August, setting up yet another potential revival. 

The CFL also canceled its 2020 season amid the pandemic, though it is set to return on Aug. 5.

As for the XFL's future, it released a statement on Wednesday: "While our discussions with the CFL did not ultimately lead to a collaboration, the effort reinforced our belief and commitment to developing the XFL for international spring football.  We look forward to seeing everyone for kickoff in spring of 2023." 

The XFL and CFL could be headed for a long-term merger. In the short term, the two leagues are discussing interleague games and a potential championship game.

According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, "Both leagues would play their regular seasons—there could be 'interleague' games, similar to MLB — and once the respective XFL and CFL champions are crowned, they'd face off in an interleague championship game."

That followed a press release from the CFL and XFL that the leagues have "agreed to work together to identify opportunities for the leagues to collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football."

McCarthy added that the two leagues could potentially combine for an All-Star Game and that a merger is reportedly the "long-term objective."

More than a few leagues have attempted to carve a niche into the football space, though the NFL and NCAA haven't left much room for those leagues to succeed. The XFL was attempting its second go-around last year when the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to suspend operations in April 2020, with no plans at the time to return in 2021. 

"It's done," a prominent XFL staffer told ESPN's Kevin Seifert and Field Yates at the time. "It's not coming back."

The league filed for bankruptcy in April 2020, though an investment group led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson agreed to buy the XFL in August.

The CFL has had a longer run, operating since 1954. But like every other professional football league since the formation of the NFL, it hasn't truly been a competitor or attracted the world's top players. The route to upper echelon football has remained playing college football before being drafted to the NFL. 

Or as McCarthy noted, "During a non-pandemic year, the nine-team CFL generates revenue of $240 million vs. $12 billion for the NFL."

An XFL-CFL merger would be unlikely to take a bite out of the NFL's monopoly, though it would be interesting to see if a more prominent league might convince younger players to consider bypassing college, as the debate over whether the NCAA should pay its athletes rages on. 

Basketball prospects, for example, have increasingly chosen to bypass college to play overseas or in the NBA's G-League. It wouldn't be surprising if a similar option eventually opened up to young football prospects, regardless of a CFL-XFL merger.

The Canadian Football League and XFL announced Wednesday they plan to work together for a potential collaboration.

"We look forward to exploring how we might work with one of the most innovative sports brands in the world to grow the game, engage fans in new ways, and reach new audiences," CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a joint statement. "We look forward to seeing what possibilities our discussions might uncover, and to sharing those with our fans as the process unfolds."

Neither side referenced the possibility of a merger, but each confirmed interest in combining their efforts moving forward.

"We are honored and excited to be in discussions with the CFL," XFL president and CEO Jeffrey Pollack said. "It's clear through our early conversations that we share a passion for football, an expansive sense of possibility, and a deep desire to create more opportunity for players and fans across North America and around the world."

Both leagues were forced to cancel their 2020 seasons amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The XFL was five weeks into the season before declaring bankruptcy. 

Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the XFL from Vince McMahon after the league declared bankruptcy in 2020.

Per Seifert, the league paused its planning for the 2022 season.

The CFL is set to return in 2021 and has already announced a league-wide schedule. Preseason games are set to begin on May 23 with the regular season slated to start on June 10.

Former XFL commissioner Oliver Luck claims that ex-XFL owner and current WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon fired him for "sinister" reasons per a memorandum of law filing in Connecticut federal district court.

According to Michael McCann of Sportico, the brief reads as follows:

"McMahon violated his duty of good faith ... to ensure that Alpha did not manufacture spurious or dishonest grounds on which to terminate Mr. Luck for the sinister purpose of avoiding payment of all compensation to which he was entitled upon a termination without cause." 

Alpha is in reference to Alpha Entertainment, the McMahon-owned former parent company of the XFL.

Per ESPN's Kevin Seifert, Luck was fired on April 9, three days before the league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The XFL reboot started strong in February, but the league suspended play (before calling the season off entirely) amid the COVID-19 pandemic following five weeks of action.

McMahon and Alpha claim they fired Luck "for cause," citing three reasons. McCann outlined them briefly:

"Last Friday, attorneys for Alpha told Judge Victor Bolden that Luck had made unauthorized emails containing sensitive XFL information to his brother-in-law and NFL agent, William Wilson. Currently the CEO and secretary general of U.S. Soccer, Wilson had co-led the football division at Wasserman Media Group. Alpha also contends that Luck misused his company iPhone and failed to a release a player, Antonio Callaway, who had a 'bad reputation' in violation of XFL policies."

Luck, who signed a five-year, $35 million contract to be the XFL's commissioner, is looking for a $23.8 million judgment to recoup the remaining monies owed.

McMahon and Alpha contend they do not have to pay the eight-figure amount because of the "for cause" firing, which Luck disputes.

The ex-XFL commissioner, who is the father of retired NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, states that McMahon or Alpha did not give him written notice of any concerns regarding "wrongdoing" or a chance to fix those "alleged violations."

Luck also said that McMahon "made a personal and binding guarantee" he would get his money, per McCann.

Vince McMahon was adamant Johnny Manziel would not be part of the XFL, ordering the league's Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck to keep him out of the football league, per Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic.

McMahon is currently countersuing Luck over breach of contract, claiming the commissioner disobeyed orders to not allow players with bad backgrounds. Though the lawsuit is focused on receiver Antonio Callaway, the pursuit of Manziel was highlighted as another example of the two sides' disagreements. 

“How long R U going to play this game Oliver? U know there is NO CHANCE IN HELL for Manziel to play for us," McMahon sent in a text. "I will NOT change my mind. So what’s Ur plan??"

As Luck later revealed, the public discussion was a marketing ploy.

"Vince—we have no intention of signing him, none whatsoever. We’re just milking the story to stay in the news," he responded.

When McMahon restarted the XFL, he instituted strict rules on player behavior that included no players with a criminal record and no kneeling for the national anthem.

Manziel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in 2012 after being arrested following a fight in College Station, Texas.

He also was investigated for alleged domestic battery against his girlfriend in 2016 but reached an agreement to have the charges dismissed once he completed an anger management course, attended a domestic violence impact panel and participated in a substance-abuse program.

The Heisman Trophy winner initially showed excitement for the XFL, saying it would be a "great opportunity" if he could reunite with coach June Jones. He also supported the league on Twitter:

Luck indicated at the time Manziel was eligible for the league but it was up to the coaches to put him on their rosters.

"If eight guys say, ‘we’d like that guy in the league,’ we’ll put him in the league. Or put him in the draft pool," the commissioner told Tom Schad of USA Today in 2019. "Whether teams draft him, that’s up to the individual head coaches."

It now appears the quarterback never had an opportunity to join the league.

Luck was fired and later filed a lawsuit against McMahon for the remaining $23.8 million on his contract. McMahon has since sold the XFL to a group led by Dwayne Johnson.

Manziel signed on to play for Fan Controlled Football last month.

Former XFL owner Vince McMahon and the league's former commissioner, Oliver Luck, are locked in a dispute about whether Luck's iPhone passcode should be turned over as part of the $23.8 million lawsuit he filed against McMahon's Alpha Entertainment for wrongful termination.

Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic reported Monday the sides' legal teams have already met four times to discuss the contentious issue, and a discovery conference with a federal district court judge is set for Dec. 17.

McMahon argued in a court filing the information on Luck's league-issued phone is central to the case and can be handled over to the defense based on Connecticut law:

"The full contents of Alpha's iPhone are relevant to showing that Luck was properly terminated for cause under his Employment Contract because he grossly neglected his duties after March 13, 2020—when Luck effectively abandoned his responsibilities as XFL Commissioner and CEO and returned home to Indiana despite the existential threat to the league posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Examination of the data on the iPhone will show Luck's activities during this critical time period when he was not in the office and demonstrate that he failed to 'devote substantially all of his business time to the performance of his duties to the XFL' as required by his Employment Contract."

Luck's lawyers have argued they hired a forensic expert to evaluate the phone for work-related activity and provided it to Alpha Entertainment, per Kaplan. They described the defense's continued efforts to acquire the passcode as a "fishing expedition designed to harass and embarrass Mr. Luck and invade his privacy":

"Despite Defendants' arguments to the contrary, neither Defendant (Luck is suing both McMahon and Alpha) has any statutory right to the passcode, as they are not employers of Mr. Luck nor is he their employee. These narrowly defined terms are used throughout the statute's text, but neither the statute nor the bill's analysis mentions former employees or former employers nor is their definition ever expanded."

U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden of Connecticut will determine the fate of the passcode, per Kaplan.

McMahon took on a less front-facing role in the second reincarnation of the XFL after a similar effort to create a secondary football league ended after one season in 2001. He hired Luck as commissioner in June 2018 based on his experience as an NCAA executive.

Luck, a former NFL quarterback, guided the league through its development stages, and it got off to a promising start in early 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic cut its debut season short.

McMahon fired Luck in early April citing "gross neglect" of his duties at the onset of the pandemic less than a week before the league filed for bankruptcy.

Luck filed the lawsuit a short time later saying he "wholly disputes and rejects the allegations set forth in the Termination Letter and contends they are pretextual and devoid of merit."

In August, the XFL was sold to a group featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, his business partner Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Johnson previously worked for McMahon as a WWE Superstar. McMahon is the longtime WWE chairman.

The new ownership group has announced the XFL plans to resume play in the spring of 2022.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson announced Thursday that the XFL will make its much-anticipated return in spring 2022.

Johnson revealed the news in a hype video he posted via Twitter:

WWE CEO Vince McMahon revived the XFL in 2018, and the league received positive reviews upon its return to the field earlier this year. But the XFL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the 2020 season from reaching its conclusion.

Johnson, business partner Dany Garcia and other investors purchased the XFL for an estimated $15 million in August.

At the time of the purchase, Johnson said:

"The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that's rooted deeply in two things—my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans. With pride and gratitude for all that I've built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans and everyone involved for the love of football."

Johnson stands out as an ideal buyer for the XFL for several reasons. His status as one of the biggest movie stars in the world means he had the capital needed to purchase the league, and he also boasts the type of name recognition that could get more eyes on the product.

Also, Johnson played high-level college football at the University of Miami and later became one of the most popular stars in professional wrestling history as part of McMahon's WWE.

The XFL debuted with one season in 2001 before McMahon revived it and presented a far different product in 2020. Gone were some of the gimmicks and the focus on bells and whistles, as McMahon and Co. instead focused on providing a brand of football that looked familiar to fans but also featured some tweaks.

Among the changes that were praised by fans were altered kickoffs, the elimination of extra-point kicks and immediate interviews with players on the sidelines after significant plays.

The Rock hasn't provided any specifics regarding the league aside from its return date, but keeping some of the new rules football fans enjoyed seems likely.

Also, the hype video featured highlights of the teams that were part of the XFL this year, so perhaps they will return in 2022, although the rosters will undoubtedly be significantly different.

The XFL could be the first professional sports league to legalize The People's Elbow. 

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was part of an investment group that purchased the XFL in August. On Tuesday, the WWE legend teased his involvement could extend beyond an ownership stake.

"I was a good football player with great 'upper body violence' as my coach, Ed Orgeron, loved to call it, so maybe I'll be the first owner in pro football history to actually suit up and play in the game," he wrote in an Instagram post. "No doubt, I'll get my ass whupped, but at least I'm goin' out on my shied (sic)—XFL style."

Johnson played football at Miami and was a member of the Hurricanes' national championship-winning squad in 1991. He attempted to embark on a professional career with the CFL's Calgary Stampeders.

Unfortunately, the odds are slim fans get to see Johnson back on the gridiron given both his age (48) and lengthy layoff from the game.

Maybe he can make a movie about a comeback in the XFL.