WWE Chair & CEO Vince McMahon reportedly is "preparing a new professional football league," according to B.J. Bethel of the DAYTON DAILY NEWS. Wrestling writer Brad Shephard first reported the news via Twitter, and Deadspin's David Bixenspan later "contacted WWE, which confirmed McMahon has established a new corporation called Alpha Entertainment." Bixenspan also reported McMahon had "reacquired trademarks for the XFL shortly after" ESPN aired a "30 for 30" documentary on the league earlier in '17. Whether McMahon’s league "would be called the XFL is unknown" (DAYTONDAILYNEWS.com, 12/17). A WWE spokesperson said McMahon had established Alpha Entertainment to "explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football. Mr. McMahon has nothing further to announce at this time." YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote this could "all be coincidence, or it could be McMahon seeing a market opportunity -- football fans sick of the NFL -- and exploiting it." Getting fans to "tune in for an inaugural game is one thing." Getting them to "tune in for Game 2, 3 or 4 -- or Season 2, 3 or 4 -- is quite another." Busbee: "That’s the challenge any new league faces, delivering an experience that makes you want to come back" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/16). In DC, Matt Bonesteel wrote a more "carefully planned rollout would probably go a long way" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/16).
