As we round up the year 2020 and look forward in anticipation of restarting a fresh season, it is only natural that we look upon the best and worst moments of professional American football league XFL.
To save the best for the last, we have decided to first offer our personal worst moments of the season.
XFL officially suspends the 2020 season
In March 2020, the XFL brought its operations to a halt and laid off its employees due to the coronavirus that had recently surfaced then. The professional football league created by WWE chairman Vince McMahon appears to be over as during an in-house conference, the board announced the layoffs to its workers.
It looks though that the organization had no plans to return for the 2021 season. But with the successful attack on the pandemic and the recent purchase of the XFL by Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia, the return for a 2021 season is plausible.
This season, the XFL only managed to play five of its scheduled ten games.
XFL suffers an economic crisis
As if things could not get any worse, the XFL’s parent company paraded a Chapter 11 bankruptcy voluntary petition just a few days after the league halted its operations.
The parent company, Alpha Entertainment, itemized all the assets and debts linked to the XFL in the official filing with each reaching over $10 million.
In further announcements, the board ascribed its verdict to the COVID-19 pandemic. They consider that the XFL is still a new establishment that is not yet well-prepared for the economic ways the crisis will cause.
Barely two years after its initial return in January 2018, the league goes back to being dormant.
Pepper Johnson sacked
After one game into the league, former assistant coach and defensive coordinator to the Patriots, Pepper John, was sacked.
Johnson was relieved of his duties because his coaching was not making any significant impact on the team.
This was witnessed in their first game, a loss against the Houston Roughnecks that ended in 37-17. The quarterback of the Roughnecks was able to throw four touchdown passes, bringing victory to the team from a halftime deficit. All these points to the weakness and inefficiency of Johnson’s defence tactics.
XFL Betting Flying High
XFL betting-odds were very popular, but with the league now closed most sports betting fans are turning back to the NFL sports markets as well as sports such as NHL, NBA, and MLS. These markets all have in-play sports betting options to spice the action with odds on the next basket, next scorer, who will score the next touchdown, next player to score a 3 pointer and more. All these bets are available while the game is action in real time.
US sports also come with bonus bets. Free bets are usually offered just for signing up to a website and therefore, there is no deposit required to start placing bets. For those that enjoy the experience of betting online, they can make their first deposit and usually this comes with another bonus bet!
Dwayne Johnson & Dany Garcia purchase XFL
Days before the league was planned for bankruptcy auction in August, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and the RedBird Capital collaborated to purchase XFL’s parent company for $15 million.
This purchase could mean that the league would return for a new season. In a statement, Johnson mentioned that the purchase of the XFL is not only a means of investment to him. He also sees it as a commitment to take care of the league and its fans.
Possibly this change in ownership would lead to proper allocation and management of the league’s funds.
The 2020 Season Kickoff
It is well-known that the start to a new season in any league brings a new level of anticipation and vibes to the fans and players. Perhaps this is why we value the first touchdown to be the utmost highlight of the kickoff.
The first touchdown was a field goal by Ty Rausa for the Seattle Dragon’s side. How was the touchdown? Well, it all started from a pass from Brandon Silvers to Austin Proehl, and then finally a spectacular strike from Ty Rausa that was 14-yards out.
In case you missed the fun and excitement of game one, you can easily watch the highlights here.
