Update On Vince McMahon Possibly Bringing Back The XFL
New company set up and trademark application filed...
Last week, it was reported by various sources that Vince McMahon had started a new company called Alpha Entertainment - separate from WWE - with the aim of bringing back a variation of the now defunct XFL.
Given that numerous outlets picked up on the story, WWE issued the following statement to David Bixenspan and Deadspin:
“Vince McMahon has established and is personally funding a separate entity from WWE, Alpha Entertainment, to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football. Mr. McMahon has nothing further to announce at this time.”
This story has gathered some steam in the last few days as it has been revealed by numerous sources again that McMahon's Alpha Entertainment applied to trademark the term "URFL" back in September. VKM (Vincent Kennedy McMahon) Ventures also applied to trademark “United Football League”, “UFL”, and “For the Love of Football” around the same time.
The XFL was brought back into the public's consciousness after ESPN aired a 30 for 30 documentary entitled This Was the XFL. Was this the catalyst for McMahon's latest venture? Goodness knows when you consider how the original league panned out.
The original XFL is looked back on as one of Vince's biggest business flops. The alternative to the NFL, produced by WWE and NBC, enjoyed some fantastic ratings initially but only lasted one season back in 2001. It took place during the NFL season but differed from the norm by having fewer rules and some aspects that made for a more dangerous game.
The league featured eight teams that played 10 games each with the Los Angeles Xtreme - led by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox - defeating the San Franciso Demons to win the inaugural championship.
It is rumoured by Brad Shepard of Nation One News that McMahon may announce the new version of the XFL on January 25. Expect more on this story to break in the coming weeks.
Given that numerous outlets picked up on the story, WWE issued the following statement to David Bixenspan and Deadspin:
“Vince McMahon has established and is personally funding a separate entity from WWE, Alpha Entertainment, to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football. Mr. McMahon has nothing further to announce at this time.”
This story has gathered some steam in the last few days as it has been revealed by numerous sources again that McMahon's Alpha Entertainment applied to trademark the term "URFL" back in September. VKM (Vincent Kennedy McMahon) Ventures also applied to trademark “United Football League”, “UFL”, and “For the Love of Football” around the same time.
The XFL was brought back into the public's consciousness after ESPN aired a 30 for 30 documentary entitled This Was the XFL. Was this the catalyst for McMahon's latest venture? Goodness knows when you consider how the original league panned out.
The original XFL is looked back on as one of Vince's biggest business flops. The alternative to the NFL, produced by WWE and NBC, enjoyed some fantastic ratings initially but only lasted one season back in 2001. It took place during the NFL season but differed from the norm by having fewer rules and some aspects that made for a more dangerous game.
The league featured eight teams that played 10 games each with the Los Angeles Xtreme - led by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox - defeating the San Franciso Demons to win the inaugural championship.
It is rumoured by Brad Shepard of Nation One News that McMahon may announce the new version of the XFL on January 25. Expect more on this story to break in the coming weeks.
Written by Ross Tweddell
Written and video journalist for Cultaholic Wrestling | twitter: @rossonrasslin | instagram: @rossonrasslin