Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, along with his business partner Dany Garcia and investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, made headlines in August 2020 when they announced their purchase of the XFL, a professional American football league.
The XFL was founded by Vince McMahon, the chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in 2001. The league was intended to be an alternative to the National Football League (NFL) and lasted for just one season before being shut down due to financial losses. McMahon attempted to relaunch the league in 2020, but the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the league subsequently filed for bankruptcy.
Johnson and his partners purchased the XFL for a reported $15 million, with the intention of revitalizing the league and making it a viable football league for the spring. Johnson, a former college football player, has long been a fan of the sport and saw the purchase as an opportunity to bring a new level of excitement and entertainment to the game.
Since the purchase, Johnson and his partners have been working hard to revamp the league’s image and make it a more attractive option for both fans and investors. The XFL has already made several changes under its new ownership, including a rebranding of the league’s logo and a renewed focus on player safety.
Johnson has also been vocal about his plans to use his celebrity status to promote the league and attract top talent. He has expressed his desire to make the XFL a place where players can showcase their skills and potential, with the ultimate goal of being recruited by NFL teams.
The XFL has kicked off its 3.0 season in February 2023. Johnson and his partners have expressed their commitment to making it a success. They believe that with the right investment and strategy, the league can become a viable spring football league and provide fans with a fresh and exciting take on the sport of American football.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s purchase of the XFL has injected new life into the league and given hope to football fans that there could be a viable alt-football league. Johnson and his partners are committed to revitalizing the league and making it a success, and have already made several changes to improve its image and appeal.
While the XFL’s future remains uncertain, Johnson’s involvement has certainly generated excitement and interest in the league’s potential.
