The "combination" of WWF Chair Vince McMahon and NBC
Sports Chair Dick Ebersol presenting the XFL next spring is
"too intriguing to not take a look," according to Ed Sherman
of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, who writes that the deal is "sort of
like a train wreck, which this thing could be. ... The only
thing NBC has to lose is its reputation, especially if the
product is beyond bad. Either way, it should be 'must-see
TV'" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/31). In CA, Evan Tuchinsky: "With
the exposure as well as the financial backing offered by
NBC, the [WWF's] XFL is more than just a punchline. It is a
serious contender." Tuchinsky: "Much about the XFL makes
sense, especially the notion of starting six days after the
Super Bowl when football passions still run high" (Riverside
PRESS-ENTERPRISE, 3/31). But in N.Y., Richard Sandomir
writes that during Wednesday's press event, "I was tempted
to ask [NBC], 'At long last, have you no shame?' ... The XFL
may succeed by being tawdry and violent -- and by weaving
star wrestlers into the periphery -- but the NBC connection
gave me the heebie-jeebies" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/31). In L.A., Tom
Hoffarth: "Although Ebersol said NBC has no plans to carry
WWF, it'll have to be considered when the rights to that are
up with USA Network in September" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 3/31).
