It looks like big things are looming on the horizon, shortly after the recent news that XFL has finally found its way to its new owners. The group headed by multi-awarded Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson plans to lead the league in the right direction under his tutelage.
ESPN NFL writer Kevin Seifert shared the sentiments of Johnson in his new acquisition on Twitter:
Confirming that the @xfl2020 has been purchased by a group that includes Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, for $15 million. Deal contingent on court approval Aug. 7. Quote from Johnson below. The purchasing firm is Redbird Capital Partners. First reported by @Sportico pic.twitter.com/4pjwncCq0D
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) August 3, 2020
The league was first founded and funded by WWE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon. However, the XFL reportedly filed for bankruptcy in April after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the cancellation of its inaugural season. The football league got off to a promising start in terms of television audience and also acquired a broadcast agreement with Fox.
Under the new ownership, the league will still serve as a playing platform to undrafted and unheralded football players across the country. It will continue to give an opportunity for these players to pursue their dreams of playing in the NFL.
Johnson, himself, was one of the players who attempted to make it in the world's biggest football league. Coming straight out of high school, he was a promising football prospect and received offers from many Division I collegiate programs. He decided to take a full scholarship from the University of Miami where he mostly played defensive tackle from 1990-1994.
His amateur career was headlined by his inclusion in the 1991 Miami Hurricanes national championship team. Soon after, injuries derailed his football career as he eventually found his way out of the team's rotation. After graduating, he signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League as a linebacker. He was assigned to the practice roster but was cut two months into the season.
Johnson eventually took the show business route where he made a name for himself and was eventually became well-known all over the world. With his acquisition of the XFL, he hopes to revive and pump life back to the league for it to reach for greater heights in the future.
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