XFL Chair Vince McMahon "is brandishing dead presidents
to lure CFL talent south of the border," according to Dan
Toth of the CALGARY SUN, who writes, "And like everything
McMahon does, he's getting noticed." Toth: "The XFL minimum
wage of $50,000 US [C$80,000] will be enough to catch the
eye of CFLers while a TV deal with NBC makes the league a
legitimate option for players on financially-shaky Canadian
teams." But Toth writes that Stampeders coach & GM Wally
Buono "isn't panicking yet" about the XFL. Buono: "The XFL
doesn't worry me, but I think it's for real. The first
concern will be our administrators and coaches. All our
players are under contract up to February 15, 2001. By
then, the XFL will be well under way. The XFL won't be able
to take any of our players before February 15. Legally,
they'll have to respect our contracts" (CALGARY SUN, 8/22).
But in Toronto, Leah Hendry writes that "outspoken" BC Lions
coach Greg Mohns "is leaving" the CFL for a "management job"
with the XFL. CFL President Jeff Giles, on Mohns'
departure: "He has drawn a lot of attention to himself in
Vancouver, and that's the kind of person the XFL is trying
to promote." Giles also "acknowledged [the CFL] would have
a hard time matching bonuses and salaries if the XFL is
successful." Giles: "It wouldn't give us a lot of room to
move economically" (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/22).
RUNNING THE OPTION: USA TODAY's Gordon Forbes writes
that in what "amounts to a raid" on AFL rosters, the XFL "is
sending contracts" to 410 players for its first season. But
XFL VP/Football Operations Mike Keller said that the XFL
"isn't about to challenge" the NFL. Keller: "But I think
NFL Europe will suffer. We will get the next tier of
players and the next tier of coaches. We're also talking to
a lot of other guys with name value, all-pro guys like that"
(USA TODAY, 8/22). AFL Predators coach Jay Gruden: "There
will be some [AFL] guys interested in the XFL. It's a 10-
week season for them, and they get paid pretty good money.
... If your ultimate goal is to get back in the NFL, then
maybe the XFL is a good step" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 8/22).
