The rise of the XFL

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The Chiefs won the Super Bowl not long ago. In past years, football season waits until preseason in August when the playoffs are over. But this year is different, it’s the official return of the XFL: a league of eight teams in two divisions facing off every week. These teams are going out to perform, to try and get noticed by NFL teams. 

The XFL teams are made up of people looking for a second chance in the NFL, free agents from the NFL looking to prove themselves and fresh out of college football players who didn’t get drafted. All players are looking to move up to the NFL, the incentive is there to perform well.  

Overall, the NFL and the XFL have very similar rules with a few exceptions. The XFL has a different kick off rule, also different extra points rules and clock rules. The NFL can be very slow at times, and if a team is down by at least nine points in the fourth quarter, then the game can feel out of reach for the losing team. But with the XFL, you do not have that issue.

Every game, unless it is a blow out, has to be played out competitively until the clock runs out. The swing of momentum and rules in play keep games at a fast pace and always within reach. The XFL is also very involved with its viewership. You are able to listen in on the coaches and players, the refs making a decision and reporters on the sidelines interviewing players right after they scored a touchdown or missed a kick. It is very entertaining to watch and a very nice change from the over-structured and strict NFL. The XFL will not surpass the NFL in terms of the number one football league – the talent and fan base all belong to the NFL – but in the spring when the NFL is out of season, the XFL is a great league to keep the football fever.

With the XFL suspending its 2020 season because of the coronavirus, along with many other leagues, the future of the league is somewhat unknown. The XFL started out very hot, and slowed down in the middle a little. The XFL has a lot of fans rooting for them in the towns where there are teams and if the XFL becomes successful enough and decides to expand with more teams, the fan base will only grow.

Aside from the Canadian Football League, and Arena Football, most other professional football leagues have failed; the XFL has a lot of potential and a lot of people wanting it to succeed.