The Rangers intend to make Globe Life Park seat about 25,000 for footballGETTY IMAGES
Dallas' XFL franchise will become the "anchor tenant in a slightly retrofitted Globe Life Park, which Rangers officials intend to keep as a viable venue" after they move to Globe Life Field in '20, according to Evan Grant of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Rangers Senior VP/Operations & Events Sean Decker said that Globe Life Park will be "retrofitted with some work along the current third-base line, the visiting dugout area and the commissioner's box seats in that location so that a football field can be laid to run in a north-south direction." Grant notes the Rangers are "expected to pay for any construction." Decker also said that the team has "no intention" of having the XFL team move to the new ballpark after '20. The Rangers intend to make Globe Life Park "seat about 25,000 for football." It is "likely that some upper-level seats, particularly in the left field corner, could be tarped over for football." This move could be the "first step" toward making the ballpark "primarily a football-based venue." It is also conceivable that Arlington high schools "could play games there." Another possibility is UT-Arlington, which has "considered bringing back its football program." Decker "declined to comment on any other football commitments" at the ballpark but did acknowledge the "desire to play football for more than five days a year." Decker said that baseball could "still be played at Globe Life Park" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/6).
PERFECT FIT: XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck said the Rangers "approached us and this just seemed like a natural fit," as the venue is "already there." In Ft. Worth, Mac Engel notes neither the Rangers nor the XFL "want to cram in a football field in a baseball stadium for the sake of doing it, as is currently the case in some baseball stadiums that host the random football game." The XFL will "pay rent to use the Globe Life Park." Should any "scheduling conflicts arise" between a football game and a Rangers’ home date in '20, the XFL "will defer" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/6).
NICE & NEW: In DC, Maese & Russell noted the XFL franchise in the nation's capital will "play its home games at Audi Field." Luck said, "I love the idea (of) playing in that nice, tight, brand new building in a beautiful part of town that’s really changing rapidly. So that really got me stoked for Washington. I think it is going to be great to be in a building where you can literally hear the quarterback calling signals." Luck said that the XFL has "signed a multiyear agreement" with DC United to use the stadium. DC United Senior Advisor for Players Communications Chris Hull said that team officials are "hoping the stadium can ultimately be active 200 days out of the year." Hull added that DC's XFL team will "play a minimum of five games at Audi Field" in '20. Luck said that the league "does not aim to be a temporary tenant at Audi Field" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/6).
