Earlier this month, amid speculation that the XFL would shut down completely after suspending operations and laying off employees, The Rock stepped in to save the league. Today, the deal was completed and WWE star Dwayne “The Rock’’ Johnson, with business partner Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital, now owns the XFL.
“Dany Garcia, Dwayne Johnson and RedBird Capital Partners announced that the acquisition of the XFL was closed and the new ownership group has officially assumed full control of the XFL and its assets,” XFL reps said in a statement.
There’s no word yet on when the league will be able to start up again, with arguments being made for jumping in with a 2021 season and for holding off until a 2022 season. When the new owners are ready to go, it sounds like FOX is ready to air the games. Front Office Sports reported on FOX’s interest. “Is Fox interested? Sure they’re always interested in (football),” said Patrick Crakes, an ex-Fox Sports. “But it won’t be the same kind of deal the Vince McMahon-backed XFL got.”
Front Office Sports also shared a quote from FOX earlier this year which said: “The XFL has been a valued partner for Fox Sports, and we look forward to working with the league office and its teams again once they return,” the network said earlier this year.”
ESPN also previously aired XFL games but has sounded less optimistic than FOX when it comes to the return of the league. “Without knowing the identity and business plan of the proposed successful bidder, ESPN objects and does not consent to the potential assumption and assignment of the telecast agreement,” the network wrote in court filings before The Rock and RedBird Capital began the process of buying the XFL.
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