Vince McMahon is looking to "capitalize on the NFL's current woes," as he believes the launch of a new XFL can "counter the NFL with a product that is quicker-paced, less complicated and 'family friendly,'" according to Stephen Battaglio of the L.A. TIMES. The first version of the XFL was positioned as a "more freewheeling alternative to the buttoned-up NFL." McMahon said that he "believes having two years to launch the new XFL will help create a better league than the first go-around" (L.A. TIMES, 1/26). In Houston, Brian Smith writes for "all of its billions and the impenetrability of its ever-present shield, the God-like NFL is ripe for the picking." This is the "angriest" fans have been at the NFL since the '87 strike (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/26). In Michigan, Nate Atkins notes the new XFL is "gearing up to combat the NFL," but its sustainability in the "long run is in question, as well as how well it will hit with the public." Whether the XFL can "extend the careers of marketable players who fall out of the NFL ranks" also "remains a question" (MLIVE.com, 1/25). ESPN's Trey Wingo notes McMahon "sees the backlash against the things going on in the NFL. ... He’s judging the temperature and thinking, ‘I think there is a niche audience out there that will go to this.’ For that part, I give him genius marks for understanding what some people are clamoring for, but at the end of the day, if the football is not good, it won't freaking matter” ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 1/26).
A PLACE IN THE MARKET: SI.com's Conor Orr wrote the "real disappointment in all of this is that the NFL has needed a reliable, well-funded feeder league for years." All other "major sports have one." But perhaps with a two-year head start the XFL can "deliver some kind of on-field product that actually aids the NFL in molding players" (SI.com, 1/25). The AP's Paul Newberry wrote a spring football league, "done the right way, could work." The timing is "ripe for another attempt." For the "first time in decades, there are actually some cracks" in the NFL's armor. But good football will "likely be the fatal flaw in McMahon's new venture, just as it was for the original XFL" (AP, 1/26). ESPN.com's Dan Graziano wrote fans hear every year about the "1,200 or so players who get cut from NFL rosters in the first week of September." If McMahon’s new league is viable, it "obviously offers some of those players a place to go and get work." However, just because the XFL will "offer a chance for displaced, hopeful or washed-up NFLers to continue playing football doesn’t mean all of them will find it worth their while" (ESPN.com, 1/25). THE RINGER's Danny Kelly wrote the draw of the XFL for a lot of fans is going to be its "role as a de facto feeder league for the NFL that runs concurrent to the free agency and NFL draft seasons." NFL fans could "watch and study for team-building purposes" (THERINGER.com, 1/25). In Phoenix, Dan Bickley writes NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "badly needs a developmental league." Imagine the "excitement and revenue streams available for certified minor-league football" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 1/26). ESPN's Will Cain said the NFL "should be worried" about the XFL relaunch. Cain said of McMahon, "If you are going to bet against this guy, you are making the wrong bet." ESPN's Domonique Foxworth said the NFL "should actually encourage the XFL" ("First Take," ESPN, 1/26).
JUST TOO MUCH: A common theme among many sports talking heads has been that there is already a glut of football on TV, whether it be college or pro. FS1's Colin Cowherd said, "Football's bigger issue is there's too many games on. Thursday, Sunday morning from London, the 1:00 window, 4:00 window. There's too much football” (“Speak for Yourself,” FS1, 1/25). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said, "I don’t believe as many people ... have an appetite for more football (than at) any other time in our history.” ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser: “I don’t know that the appetite is necessarily there for more pro football right now” (“PTI,” ESPN, 1/25). NBC SPORTS BAY AREA's Ray Ratto wrote an XFL realunch is "monumentally counter-intuitive to everything the universe knows about the supply v. demand issues confronting the business." Ratto: "We have more football than ever, we seem to want less football than ever, so why not give us even more than too much?" (NBCSPORTSBAYAREA.com, 1/25). The L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke said the XFL is "not going to work," as fans in the spring are "wiped out on football." Plaschke: "By the end of the Super Bowl people are just done with it for awhile." ESPN's Clinton Yates also noted there is "non-stop coverage” of the NFL offseason in the spring, so there is "plenty of meat left on this (NFL) bone." ESPN's Bomani Jones: "I don’t understand why Vince wants to set money on fire and do this. We have reached a saturation point when it comes to professional football" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 1/25).
