When Vince McMahon announced the XFL would be launching in January of 2018, one of the first questions that got asked was: what cities would be chosen to have teams? The XFL then went on to announce 8 cities, all big markets, and all already have an NFL team, excluding St. Louis.
Many fans questioned why some big markets like Chicago were not included. However, two years after the cities were announced, in an interview with Sports Innovation Lab, former XFL Director of Football Operations, Sam Schwartzstein revealed that Chicago, along with San Francisco, was in the original plans for the XFL. Chicago would be in place of the team that ended up being Tampa, and San Francisco would have been in place of Seattle.
San Francisco was a target for the XFL because of the XFL’s success in San Francisco during the 2001 inaugural season. San Francisco was dropped from the 2020 XFL because its venue, Oracle Park, was too expensive. San Francisco was replaced by Seattle which gave the XFL a team in the Pacific Northwest. Looking back on this past season, Seattle was an amazing choice as they had some of the best fans in the league and were close to the top of the league in tickets sold.
Tampa replaced Chicago because the XFL wanted a temperate climate team. They also wanted a team in Florida and Tampa was a good option there.
Although San Francisco would have been a solid place for the XFL, I think it’s safe to say they were very happy with how Seattle turned out. However, Tampa didn’t do great and there were rumors about the Vipers moving to Orlando. Could Chicago be added as a possibility?
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Bill
June 9, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Next, move the Wildcats to San Antonio. SA is starving for a team. They packed the Alamodome for the AAF’s SA Commanders!
Jason
June 9, 2020 at 11:54 pm
What IS it with you people and your inability to spell or read your work before you publish?
“San Fransico?”
“Temper climate?”
Oy.
Dude
June 12, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Stay out of Chicago. One of the worst attended games in the XFL 2000 and the USFL and their MLS club struggles for fans. The weather sucks in Feb and March, fans won’t show. Sounds like this is a TV ratings move, but it has never worked.
Logan Yates
February 17, 2021 at 6:50 pm
That’s so Dumb. Considering Chicago has nearly 9 million people in its metropolitan population. Has strong support for all athletic teams. Your arguments are very uneducated. Just stop. If the XFL expands next city they’ll add is Chicago and you’ll just have to accept it
Ken
June 14, 2020 at 8:55 pm
I would love the XFL to return. Love the league. I thought it was fun to watch. I believe it can make it.
Marc
August 22, 2020 at 1:30 am
Good piece. I wondered why San Francisco didn’t get a team after leading the league in attendance during the first version of the XFL. Maybe the new XFL will put a team in SF. Would be wise.