According to a source close to NBC Sports Northwest, the Seattle Dragons are leading the pack among the 8 XFL franchises when it comes to ticket sales. The source also noted that Dragons’ brass projects nearly 20,000 fans in attendance when the team kicks off at home for the first time on February 15th as they take on the Tampa Bay Vipers at CenturyLink Field.
The recent efflux of ticket sales is attributed to the elimination of the Seattle Seahawks and the itch for more football in the Emerald City. The NFL fanbase in Seattle is collectively and commonly referred to as the ‘12th Man‘ and has proven that Seattle is a hot-spot for America’s favorite sport.
Seahawks fans will not struggle when it comes to name recognition in their sister team. Current, the Dragons have 7 players who were at least on the practice squad at some point with the Seahawks including QB BJ Daniels, WR Keenan Reynolds, WR Kasen Williams, T Isaiah Battle, DL Tani Tupou, and CB Mohamed Seisay. Martin Ifedi is also currently on the roster, brother of Seattle Seahawk Germain Ifedi.
Most notable, Seattle Dragons head coach and general manager, Jim Zorn is a Seahawks legend. Zorn spent 8 of his 11 years as a pro in Seattle where he was regarded as one of the most prolific scrambling quarterbacks of his time. Zorn was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1976 and second-team All-Pro in 1978. He was the second person entered into the Seahawks ‘Ring of Honor’ in 1991 following his favorite receiver, Steve Largent.
Zorn has 24 years of coaching on his resume spanning from 1988-2012 prior to joining the Dragons for the upcoming season. He spent the 1997 season as an Offensive Assistant for the Seahawks and later returned as the Quarterback Coach spanning from 2001-2007. Zorn spent the 2008-2009 seasons as the Head Coach of the Washington Redskins, accumulating a record of 12-20 prior to being relieved of his duties and replaced by Mike Shanahan.
The Dragons are joined by the St. Louis Battlehawks as impression makers in ticket sales. The former home of the Los Angeles Rams, St. Louis has amassed over 6,000 season ticket holders according to Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic. It remains to be seen whether the crusade of interest is inspired by the locals animosity towards Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who moved the team west in 2016, or if it is a true appetite for football to return to St. Louis.
The Dragons kick off the season on the road against the DC Defenders on February 8th at Audi Field. The Dragons will return to Seattle for their home opener in Week 2 vs. the Tampa Bay Vipers on February 15th at CenturyLink Field.
