The XFL will return in 2020, Alpha Entertainment Founder Vince McMahon has announced.
“The new XFL is an exciting opportunity to reimagine America’s favorite sport,” said McMahon. “As we move towards kickoff, we look forward to listening and implementing innovative ideas from players, coaches, medical experts, technology executives, the media and most importantly football fans.”
At launch in 2020, the XFL will have a similar format to its former version. It will have eight league-owned teams with 40-man rosters and will play a 10-week regular-season schedule. The postseason will consist of two semifinal playoff games and a championship game.
The eight new XFL teams will be announced at a later date.
The XFL (XTreme Football League) was initially founded in 1999 and played one season in 2001 before its demise. It was a joint operation run by the WWE (then the WWF) and NBC and all eight teams were owned by the league.
The 2001 XFL season began on February 3, just one week after the Super Bowl. The league also featured differing rules from the NFL, including an “opening scramble” instead of a kickoff, nicknames on jerseys rather than real names, scantily clad cheerleaders, and more.
The eight original XFL teams were divided into two divisions. The Eastern Division featured the Birmingham Thunderbolts, Chicago Enforcers, New York/New Jersey Hitmen, and Orlando Rage.
The Western Division included the Memphis Maniax, Las Vegas Outlaws, Los Angeles Xtreme, and San Francisco Demons.
The Los Angeles XTreme won the first XFL Championship, dubbed “The Million Dollar Game,” 38-6 over the San Francisco Demons.
You can find more info on the XFL at their website, XFL.com, and via their social media, Twitter and Facebook.