The XFL is Back, But Can It Survive? 

I think one of the best ways to promote the XFL would be to develop a great video game that can eclipse Madden in playability.

I aint gonna lie, the XFL wasnt that bad this week.. I was really surprised.

Update: It didn’t survive

The XFL is like an edgy teen that grew up several years later and regrets what it said before

We forget there was once a league that did succeed, and forced the NFL to take notice and either settle up and become one, or face doom. Long live the American Football League.

I think it sticks around they took their time and imo the talent pool and facilities look way better than the aaf they also have respectable coaches

I'm really rooting for the XFL. I was even a fan of AAF. Just give me more football.

If they aim at being second-tier, like soccer leagues have, they have a shot.

"older and possibly wiser Vince McMahon" The moment when you've been a wrestling fan for a while and you laugh hard because you know the mad old bastard has only gotten more mad as time progressed xD

This incarnation of the XFL has a couple of things going for it that could lead to success. 10 week regular season with no bye weeks. 2 weeks of playoffs. It's a short season that doesn't compete with any other major sporting events, just some regular season NBA and NHL games. Television deals in place. This guarantees some level of exposure, even if it ends up being highlights on Sports Center. Casual fans of football can find games. Money to keep the league afloat for 3 seasons (apparently). The biggest obstacle is often a lack of exposure due to leagues being unable to operate long enough to generate a fan base. If they can guarantee 3 full seasons and don't shuffle teams around, this problem could be eliminated. Ability to draft potential or NFL caliber talent. By eliminating the 3 years out of high school rule that the NFL uses, the XFL could potentially get a few quality players who want to earn money now instead of having to go through the NCAA and all of their bullshit. They also can potentially get undrafted free agents and drafted players who were cut from the final 53 man NFL rosters, including some veterans. There is plenty of talent out there, the question is can the XFL tap into it. Everything will depend on 2 major factors though: can they put a quality product on the field (I believe they absolutely can) and can they operate at a much lower financial cost than the NFL does. They certainly won't make NFL type dollars right out of the gate, and likely never will, but if they can operate at a lower cost and still be financially viable, it could work. I think in the most likely scenario, this league is able to operate as a minor league for the NFL, where bubble players and potentially backups can get more playing time and experience for a year or two, or rehab post injury if they get cut from an NFL team. The absolute best case scenario is that the league sticks around long enough that the NFL wants to buy it and use it as their minor league officially or take a couple of teams as expansion teams if/when the NFL decides to expand.

I really hope the XFL works out. I'd love to have an alternative to the NFL.

RIP to the AAF 2018-2019

Mr McMahon sold enough Wwe stock to keep the xfl alive for 3 years, afl didn’t have the money upfront

As skeptical as I was when I first heard about the revival, I'm cautiously optimistic about it. The league has taken its time whereas the AAF, as well as XFL's predecessor, rushed things into existence. The rule changes don't feel cheesy or gimmicky in any way either and I feel they will do nothing but open the playbook to more amazing opportunities for coaches. If there is any league that can end the spring football slump, I think this is the one to do it. Because at the end of the day, America needs a football alternative. Soccer (I call it football, but whatever) has reserve teams and the opportunity to loan out players. MLB has the minor leagues. The NHL has the AHL. Basketball has the G-League and a variety of competent European leagues. Outside of the CFL, which is under-capitalized and a foreign entity, there is no place for good college players to go to develop their skills at the pro level outside of the NFL. And that is a shame, considering NFL roster slots are so finite. Any league that can potentially grab a market share of the sport in the States is mutually beneficial to the both the league (in this case, the XFL) and the NFL and increases the pool of players that are available and provides a viable option for players that aren't quite there yet. So football fans, go easy on the XFL and be patient with it. Support it, as a win for XFL equals a win for football fans everywhere. Also, any league that attempts to fuck with the corruption machine that is the NCAA is a league I want to support. My fingers are crossed hoping for the best. Oh, and go Guardians! New York needs a winner somewhere. Because God knows that the Yankees, New York City FC, and both of the NY-based NFL franchises haven't been able to get the job done in a minute. And don't even get me started on the Knicks and the Nets.

You know what they say: the easiest way to become a millionaire is to be a billionaire.

I have high hopes for the xfl just hope it doesn’t turnout like the disaster the aff was

USFL had staying power until they decided to go into direct competition with the NFL. There's plenty of room for another football league. There's plenty of solid talent from college who don't make the draft/cut. The XFL's rule set makes it a different take on American Football enough that it could work as a stop gap for the talent level, and as coaches and players get settled, their skillset will evolve with them. As long as they keep it humble and positive, I think they'll get viewership. And here's a possible controversial opinion: it would be in the NFL's best interest that XFL succeeds. I haven't looked for the current season, but interest/viewers has been on a decline for the last few years. Take your pick on the reasons but I think a good part of it is the product is so stale. From penalty controversies to questionable parity, the league could use a little brother of sorts to diversify football DNA.

What I love about Vince McMahon. He's not afraid of failure. Hes afraid of not trying. I love that about anyone in the world of business. That's what great leaders are. Innovators and risk takers. Win, lose, or draw, they had the courage to fucking try. Much love for you Vince.

Who will have the better record this year? The DC Defenders or the Redskins? 😂😂

1:31 it feels so weird looking at a younger and skinnier Donald Trump 😂

It would have survived if not for Covid

I actually doubted the XFL, watched some games, now I'm hooked.

Me: pays RU-vid $10 a month to avoid sitting through 30 second hello fresh ads, among others. Content provider: let me stop my video and tell you about hello fresh for 45 seconds. Sigh.

2:51 *Music Starts* Me: "Weeb" Oh hey, its Tank.

3:54 how to you fail a spike

I've watch this weeks games and I was impressed .

WE NEED XFL FANTASY FOOTBALL. That will draw in ratings!

Giving a mic to the refs would make us respect them more when they get calls right because you’ll hear their reasoning similar to rugby

I'm sad everyone forgets the UFL. It was the only league to give Virginia a chance to have a professional sports team :/

The XFL kickoff is brilliant along with the extra point options.

and now since the Rock owns it, we are still asking can it survive.. this video has aged incredibly well in so many weird ways.

It needs to be a league full of guys who are busting there ass to make it back to the NFL, or like you said college kids who wanna leave earlier. Basically the NFL’s Minor League, if it does that it will be a huge success

Loving how your editing is coming along, man! Always a pleasure to watch your videos.

I actually watched the first game and was impressed. Nothing like 2001, thank god. It looks like real football with genuine attempts to try to make it better. Lets see how the second week goes.

*Covid-19:* I’m about to end this leagues whole career

Regardless of one's feelings about Vince McMahon, you got to love his willingness to take risks, big risks! I hope the XFL takes off and sticks around this time, but it should have started with 16 teams.

Albany Empire were the greatest Arena Football team of all time, RIP AFL 2019

Anyone else recognize the Cowboy Bebop theme at 3:00?

I just want to say, this is a PHENOMENAL video and I've been using it all week to explain the XFL to my friends and family.

@0:05 I've never seen someone cry that amount of tears.

“Wiser Vince McMahon” HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

The recorder"my heart will go on" bit at 9:55 killed me.

The “Alliance” should have partnered with the “XFL”.

My mom loves to tell the story about my dad when he worked the original XFL. My dad is an audio mixer and got into big trouble when my mom found out he was the one who placed the mics on the cheerleaders...

DUDE...Mr. StE....you, sir...or y'all sir and ma'ams...are BRILLIANT! This is one of THE MOST entertaining videos I've ever watched! Seriously, the editing is CRAZY good, the commentary a pitch perfect combo of fact, humor, and satire, and underpinning it all is a REALLY compelling perspective. Super well done!

If the xfl were able to have anyone play, imagine how much people would line up to play

"Wiser" and Vince McMahon dont belong in the same sentence. Lol

I welcome anything that takes Vince's eyes off of WWE for any time at all.

This sounds good! I was surprised that there was so little advertisement for the XFL during the Super Bowl. I think there was only one ad for it during the whole game.

I honestly hope the league survives. The first games this past weekend were not disappointing at all to be honest. It could definitely serve as a great college football alternative like major junior hockey serves to college hockey and a farm for some NFL hopefuls to develop their talent.

"older maybe wiser Vince McMahon"😂 that's funny I wish

It is now Feb. 8. The Roughnecks have faced the Wildcats. And the product looks pretty good!

Wild prediction: It will fold again (but after 3 or 4 seasons this time instead of 1 like last time), but a lot of the rule changes will begin to be incorporated into the NFL like previous innovations (sky cam, etc). Most promising ones to me are the kickoff rules, the shortened play clock, and the reworked review process. The kicked point after touchdown seems to be stuck for the NFL, but moving it back to be less automatic seems to have helped, and the punts might be a bit too confusing. But, as always, we shall see.

They seem to have a great plan. Minimizing the costs so as to enable the best method of profit is enough to keep them afloat for a year or two and then that’s all it take: 1-2 full seasons will create legitimacy in the eyes of the public and allow it to endure for longer.

I think once more recognizable names (draftees, free agents from various leagues or even coaches) migrate to the XFL it’ll begin to take off.

When you’re too early to see the funny comments

AB will suit just fine there, he's like drama...

The AAF had so much potential and the interest was there, however management did it over. Putting teams in already-NFL markets is just one example. San Antonio had a HUGE following.

Set the Edge “Since the don of man, PROBABLY”

I find everyone making fun of Vince McMahon odd as the man is responsible for one of the most successful entertainment franchise. Will the XFL succeed? Who knows but people with Vince's type of ambition won't go out without a fight.

the recorder of "My heart will go on" was amazingly funny!

update: it's complicated and the cfl is now gonna be involved. anywise can you smell what the rock is cooking?

The XFL did not flop in it's debut, it was exciting and fun. Hoping it stays that way and I don't see why not.

Vince McMahon won’t pay its wrestlers or take care of them fairly but will completely burn billions in a football franchise??? 👎🏽 again...

6:03 nice

I hope it does survive , I hate basketball , Golf , Hockey , XGames , but it takes Media , smart operatorations , marketing and commitment to work .

Also with the accessibility to sports betting in the US. Vince & co are hoping that gets more people watching. I think could be a huge driving factor to keeping the league around for a long time.

Will the XFL last? In a word, no. In two words, hell no. That said let's go Wildcats

Xfl: We’re doing well we’re set to make profits in upwards of 30 million Covid-19: Allow me to introduce myself

Well, Vince McMahon is a wealthy man, made by giving fans what they want. He mistakenly thought that the WWE style of entertainment is what people wanted regarding XFL 1.0, but he was very wrong. Good business men and women move with the times (innovate or die) and learn from their mistakes. It looks like he may well have done that. Time will tell, but it looks like he’s on to a good start. Anything that makes the game shorter and more dynamic is a good thing.

Season ticket prices are insanely affordable. For families that like football but find the price for even a single NFL game out of reach, this provides an atmosphere and enjoyment that a large number of people can afford. I’m stoked to have a team here in Seattle, because fuck the Seahawks. Don’t @ me.

I had season tickets with my brother for the San Francisco demons we loved going just because it was football and actually fun. Not to mention chicks flashing all over the stadium. We were in HS back then lol.

If Drew Brees is a lord then Jameis is too... The lord of 30/30. I’m sorry I had to...

12:00 "wait is that today?" *checks date on phone "Yep it's today"

That long drought is what makes football so special. The season is short and there’s not many games. It makes football season that much sweeter. Even during the year. You have to wait a full week between each game. There doesn’t need to be any more football.

Are they really a direct competitor? Being how they're playing in a different season.

XFL would’ve been more effective during the Kapernick debacle, where more players were kneeling and more fans were boycotting. Now that anthem controversy is all but forgotten, and XFL won’t stand a chance.

When spring comes. I'm ready for baseball, but I'm sure there are people who don't like baseball and will like spring football, but I think this will go down like all the other football leagues.....I don't know what the magic was for the AFL all those years ago, but I don't think it can be replicated

Thought week one was great. Love the kickoff and communication access 👍🏈

So the XFL is essentially making Madden in real life

The NFL has turned into a bloated, over priced joke. Overpaid athletes and super inflated ticket and concessions

I think NFL fans are getting tired of new rules every single year. The game has changed so much that it skews the stats and dulls the game. For example kicking off from the 40 yard line instead of the 35 yard line equals less returns. I don't see the point in changing the touchback rule, they put the ball on the 25 yard line instead of the 20 yard line. Why? I think that forward progress makes the game seem like two hand touch at times. I'm sure Vince McMahon noticed these things and he's trying to capitalize on it. WCW is an example of what could happen. Honestly I'm rooting for Vince McMahon! It would be priceless to see Vince McMahon fire Rodger Goodell.

NFL as a better product is highly subjective. Yes, they have more money but NFL games have become soooo boring. Flags on every other play, barely tackle football...

McMahon's a two-bit carnival barker. He has no idea how to function outside of putting on a show. When the XFL's viewership begins to drop after the first few weeks, he will revert back to his showmanship ways and turn it into a circus, which will cause viewership to fall even more. As a businessman, he can pound on his chest and make all the "I'll dedicate $500 million of my own money" claims he wants. When that money starts exiting his bank account with no end in sight -- he'll pull the plug quickly.

You should do a video on fantasy football and how it’s becoming so big. I’m starting to wonder if it will eventually become bigger then the game itself. I go to watch football at a pub on Sundays and you’ll constantly hear other tables cheering for their players hoping a certain player scores against the same team as the jersey they’re wearing.

Viper gang 🐍 where you at

Even if the XFL fails a second time at least there is a chance that some of the improvements done in the second version of the XFL might make it into the NFL just like the skycam and mics in the helmets. I'll be tuning in to watch and hope the XFL sticks around longer this time.

"The number 1 sports giant on earth"? So... you're talking about the Premier League? Because it ain't the NFL

Just take notes from the CFL

Just finished watching the first game .. Dc Defenders vs Seattle Dragons ... it looks like real authentic football but had a faster pace and was fun to watch .

I watched some of the games yesterday and there were many solid plays. I had fun watching it. Also having a camera up in the ref booth and being able to hear the conversation between the refs was amazing. I like how they do kickoffs too. Very cool rule changes.

Week 4 and the XFL ratings fell another 14% from week 3. Week 1 ratings 3.12 mill Week 4 ratings 1.38 mill Drop of 55.8% in 4 weeks. March Madness is coming up in a few weeks. XFL is in trouble.

Social media is gonna be a huge reason this shit goes better if it does. People are already associating and talking about their teams on ig weeks before opening day. People are following players and relating to them just like we do the nfl. Wasnt around in 2001.

Well, one weekend in the books and so far I’d call it a “mild” success. Perhaps it’ll get better with time, but the games weren’t nearly as high scoring as I expected them to be. I got REALLY bored watching the BattleHawks/Renegades game, but then again, I’d probably get just as bored watching a 15-9 NFL game. At least the Roughnecks and Defenders were each fun to watch though. If those two teams can sustain that level of play throughout the season, they’ll be fun to watch. Again, it’s week one, so I’m sure the offenses will get better week-by-week...and perhaps the Renegades will be better when Landry Jones steps in at QB because they were starting their backup week one. We’ll see. However, I will say I absolutely love some of these rule changes though. I think that they are making the game better and ultimately make special teams actually important to the game.

There's already an alternative league to the NFL.....of course, they play in Canada and part of their season overlaps with the NFL, but it's still an alternative league.

The IFL is still standing as a decent football league alternative in the summer to watch. Plus there’s the CFl

After watching the first two games, I'd say the product of the XFL is similar to the AAF was, the dynamic P.J. Walker took the Roughnecks to a 20 point victory and the DC Defenders rolled the Seattle Dragons with dominating defensive play. The San Antonio are doesn't have a team so I am siding with the Houston Roughnecks as they have a team that looks good and plays well. The DC Defenders are the best looking uniformed team in the league. I can't call the first XFL championship game, but I wouldn't be surprised if one of those teams if not both end up there.

I want this league to work, I hope the investors don't get scared when they lose their asses the first year or few years.

Ready to see what XFL does when a more serious outlook

Absolutely love this channel. Been binge watching this for almost a day now