Report: WWE's Vince McMahon interested in bringing back XFL
The XFL could be making a comeback.
On Friday night, Twitter user @TheBradShepard reported WWE CEO Vince McMahon is "looking to bring back" the defunct football league and that an announcement may come next month.
EXCLUSIVE: Vince McMahon is looking to bring back the XFL and may announce it on January 25th, 2018.
— Brad Shepard 🤘🏻 (@TheBradShepard) December 16, 2017
Deadspin's David Bixenspan reached out to WWE asking the organization to "confirm or deny" the report, and was provided with this statement:
A WWE spokesperson issued the attached statement to me & @Deadspin in response to my inquiry about tonight's rumors of a soon to be announced XFL revival. They declined further comment. Whatever Vince McMahon's "Alpha Entertainment" is, it's self-funded & separate from WWE. pic.twitter.com/oT0Oxyi2fV
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) December 16, 2017
WWE has also filed for several new XFL-related trademarks, including "He Hate Me," the nickname of former XFL running back Rod Smart.
In what I’m sure is a complete coincidence, WWE filed for two new XFL trademarks this year, both long after the 30 for 30 premiered.
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) December 16, 2017
I thought that @mookieghana was kidding last night about WWE filing a new “He Hate Me” trademark.
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) December 16, 2017
He wasn’t. pic.twitter.com/4cLfXwQdxZ
The XFL, which was a joint venture between the then-WWF and NBC, played just one season in 2001, reportedly losing $70 million in the process.