Two months ago, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia teamed up with RedBird Capital to buy the XFL for $15 million. It was a surprise announcement that left many fans wondering what The Rock and Garcia had in store for the future of the maligned football brand, which seemed to be doing okay during its 2020 comeback before the coronavirus pandemic steered it into bankruptcy.
Earlier today on Twitter, the XFL’s new co-owners revealed that the league will return in Spring 2022:
XFL returns SPRING 2022
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 1, 2020
As owners, we’re proud to champion our XFL players, coaches, cities and fans into an electrifying 2022 season!
It’s an uphill battle - but we’re hungry, humble and no one will outwork us.
A league of culture, passion & purpose. #XFL✊ #Spring2022 pic.twitter.com/jY0VWGj33Y
No one will outwork us. #XFL is back on the field in 2022. https://t.co/LpUIMArmbb pic.twitter.com/IJMiqss5jY
— Dany Garcia (@DanyGarciaCo) October 1, 2020
The XFL issued the following statement to the media regarding this announcement:
“The XFL represents the idea of ultimate opportunity; it’s a league of soul and culture, anchored by the pursuit of dreams and love for the game, that we couldn’t be more proud to lead,” said Garcia and Johnson. “Every XFL player, coach, city and fan is our top priority and we couldn’t be more excited to champion them in an electrifying 2022 season. We are the new XFL—hungry, humble and no one will outwork us.”
“For the love of football and for the safety of our players and fans, we’ll be back on the field in 2022,” said Jeffrey Pollack, XFL President and COO. “The opportunity in front of us, with our new ownership, is simply too big to rush back. We want to do this properly with care and thought for everyone who loves football, especially our players, coaches, partners and fans.”
Do you think the XFL will fare any better under Johnson and Garcia’s ownership than it did under Vince McMahon?