The Rock and Dany Garcia surprisingly bought the XFL back in August 2020 and announced that the league will return in Spring 2022.
It looks like those plans could be changing. Yesterday, the XFL and CFL announced that they are engaging in talks to “identify potential opportunities for the leagues to collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football.” As a result, the XFL 2022 season is “on hold” until these conversations are resolved.
The Rock responded to the news by discussing how his experience with the CFL changed his life:
“The CFL changed my life.
When you have nothing and you’re scratching and clawing for everything you can get - all in the spirit of making your football dreams come true.
You become the hardest worker in the room.
You will not be denied.
I knew in my heart I was going to make it in the CFL - and parlay that into a very successful career in the NFL.Maybe even win a Super Bowl...
But neither of those dreams came close to coming true.
Truth is, I just wasn’t good enough and it wasn’t my time.
The CFL sent me home.
I was still grateful to a man who would eventually become a mentor and friend, Wally Buono for even giving me the opportunity. I had $7 bucks.
But it’s funny how sometimes life comes full circle.
Now I’m back.
Same hungry kid, but much different man.
As an owner of the XFL, our discussions with the CFL have been very exciting. There’s a real pulse here because you can feel the unique opportunity we can potentially create together.
Wherever it all leads, I can tell you this one is personal to me and is driven by all my passion - because me being cut by the CFL was the greatest thing that happened.It set me on a path that years later would lead me right back to the league.
To help create even greater and bigger opportunities for all our players and all our fans.
As an owner who’s had his hands in the dirt - my loyalty will always lie with the players and fans.
I’ll keep you posted as our XFL/CFL discussions unfold.
Got your back.
So yes, the CFL changed my life, in ways I could’ve never imagined”
The Rock promises to keep fans informed about the “very exciting” discussions between both football brands, so there will surely be more to come.
With WrestleMania 37 coming up on April 10 and 11 on Peacock, many fans have been wondering if the Rock will return to pro wrestling and play a role on the biggest card of the year. But it seems that his other ventures are a higher priority right now, and that includes dealing with the complexities of a potential merger or crossover with the Canadian Football League.
Do you think a partnership with the CFL is best for The Rock’s XFL business?