The XFL will last

[Myles]

I can't take everyone being mic'd up. Get's old quick. I do not need to see and hear the offensive coordinator in the booth on every play.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Maybe, but it's already been funded for 3 years.

Could be, but my guess is if they go thru with a third year, that entire season will be on life support.

 

[Myles]

Could be, but my guess is if they go thru with a third year, that entire season will be on life support.

Maybe. ESPN is already sucking them off pretty good. Since they televise games, ESPN personalities will be ordered to talk it up.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Unlike its first try and other leagues, I think this time the XFL will last.

the backing and support from ESPN and FOX certainly helps with not only promotion but also production. It has a much more legitimate feel.

curious what new innovative things will come from the league.

already could see the NFL poaching the kickoff rule.

just seems like a much more intelligent and methodical second try by Vince

the football was ok, some good stories, like the CB for NY (who grew up 10 mins from giants stadium in NJ) who had a pick 6 yesterday, in front of his family and friends. pretty cool.
i actually like some of the rule changes, like the kickoff rule. the double pass should not be a thing tho.

 

[Gatorchip]

Can we get an XFL forum and make @OregonDucks the moderator please?



Then lock him in there.

 

[Myles]

the football was ok, some good stories, like the CB for NY (who grew up 10 mins from giants stadium in NJ) who had a pick 6 yesterday, in front of his family and friends. pretty cool.
i actually like some of the rule changes, like the kickoff rule. the double pass should not be a thing tho.

I like the kickoff thing. That might be all I like of the rule differences. Double pass seems like a gimmick.
The XFL website doesn't seem to have a page for league stats. That's odd. Sports fans love stats.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Could be, but my guess is if they go thru with a third year, that entire season will be on life support.

Maybe, but the way they have it all structured is completely different than in the past, to where it won't take a whole lot to sustain it.

For example, the time slots they chose are complete deadzones for the networks. The networks have agreed to cover the production costs, in exchange they don't have to pay rights fees to the XFL. Any boost in ratings is a boon for the networks.

 

[BigDGarciaFan]

Need a New England team. The only northeastern team is NY, and no one in New England is going to cheer for a NY team. (Just like the other NYC teams, they are actually in NJ, because of course)

Hartford

 

[BigDGarciaFan]

I think you need to go with some cities or areas who might have a real strong football fanbase (especially college), maybe like a Lincoln, NE. What else do they have to do from February to April? Cities without NFL teams that need something big and exciting to do in their cities.

Omaha

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Maybe, but the way they have it all structured is completely different than in the past, to where it won't take a whole lot to sustain it.

For example, the time slots they chose are complete deadzones for the networks. The networks have agreed to cover the production costs, in exchange they don't have to pay rights fees to the XFL. Any boost in ratings is a boon for the networks.

I appreciate your enthusiasm along with the others in here, and I'm not trying to be the fly in the ointment, but I'm a realist. All the commitments, all the financial structuring in the world don't amount to a hill of beans if people aren't watching. Once the glow fades from this shiny new toy, the league will need to rely on way more than the relatively few diehard, 365 days a year football fanatics. That's where the real challenge lies.

The XFL has to battle for viewership against the accurate perception that it's attempting to be considered a major sports league with minor league talent, against the onset of the baseball season, and against the peak following of the NBA & NHL as these two leagues approach their respective playoffs. That's simply too much uphill for an upstart league that will need as much downhill momentum as it can muster.

 

[NEPatsfan]

I appreciate your enthusiasm along with the others in here, and I'm not trying to be the fly in the ointment, but I'm a realist. All the commitments, all the financial structuring in the world don't amount to a hill of beans if people aren't watching. Once the glow fades from this shiny new toy, the league will need to rely on way more than the relatively few diehard, 365 days a year football fanatics. That's where the real challenge lies.

The XFL has to battle for viewership against the accurate perception that it's attempting to be considered a major sports league with minor league talent, against the onset of the baseball season, and against the peak following of the NBA & NHL as these two leagues approach their respective playoffs. That's simply too much uphill for an upstart league that will need as much downhill momentum as it can muster.

Actually it's positioned post NFL, and the overlap is just a few weekends in April. Keep in mind the NBA and NHL early rounds, along with early season MLB aren't as big of a ratings draw as most people think.

It's being aired in deadzone tv time for the networks. It may or may not fail, but the overall expectation for success is actually a really low bar. Any ratings bump that is sustained will be seen as a success for the networks.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I only watch NFL. No college, no CFL, no nothing.

I hope it dies a quick death.

Okay noted...but why would you hope it dies a quick death?...I don't get that part. I mean you're not watching it anyway so why does it matter?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I appreciate your enthusiasm along with the others in here, and I'm not trying to be the fly in the ointment, but I'm a realist. All the commitments, all the financial structuring in the world don't amount to a hill of beans if people aren't watching. Once the glow fades from this shiny new toy, the league will need to rely on way more than the relatively few diehard, 365 days a year football fanatics. That's where the real challenge lies.

The XFL has to battle for viewership against the accurate perception that it's attempting to be considered a major sports league with minor league talent, against the onset of the baseball season, and against the peak following of the NBA & NHL as these two leagues approach their respective playoffs. That's simply too much uphill for an upstart league that will need as much downhill momentum as it can muster.

You know...the USFL did prove there is a market for football beyond the NFL season. Some teams actually did pretty well at the gate.

So while it doesn't spark anything for me, I can see a developmental type pro league making some headway. People watch minor league baseball...I don't see why they would watch minor league football.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Need a New England team. The only northeastern team is NY, and no one in New England is going to cheer for a NY team. (Just like the other NYC teams, they are actually in NJ, because of course)

Bring back the Breakers! They had the baddest-assed uniforms

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

If the XFL not trying to compete with the NFL, it will last. The NFL has been around forever. As long as the XFL continues to acknowledge that, then everything should be good. It's a nice little alternative.

I like everything I saw besides the Dallas vs Tampa game. But they gotta put the team logos on midfield. Seeing the big XFL logo there is tacky.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Plus, it's nothing on weekends around this time. Nothing. I can't watch Golf for a long period.

 

[Myles]

Yep, the

You know...the USFL did prove there is a market for football beyond the NFL season. Some teams actually did pretty well at the gate.

So while it doesn't spark anything for me, I can see a developmental type pro league making some headway. People watch minor league baseball...I don't see why they would watch minor league football.

USFL was becoming pretty successful.
There are so many people that watch football and not much else. If the league keeps playing NFL/college type of ball, they could succeed. Every game had over 17,000 in attendance. That's pretty decent. Some will grow and some may shrink depending how the team is doing.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

If the XFL not trying to compete with the NFL, it will last. The NFL has been around forever. As long as the XFL continues to acknowledge that, then everything should be good. It's a nice little alternative.

Yep, that's why the USFL didn't make it. They wanted to go head-to-head against the Cartel. But that also means the XFL can't make a huge effort to poach too much of the top level talent, so the product will continue to be moderate.

Like others have said, if we just enjoy it for what it is, and not try to compare it to NFL...

 

[Cedrique]

Okay noted...but why would you hope it dies a quick death?...I don't get that part. I mean you're not watching it anyway so why does it matter?

Yeah, that is an odd take. You hear people say things like that about soccer and WNBA too. Those are both boring to me but I still think it's cool that they exist and some people enjoy them.

 

[NEPatsfan]

You know...the USFL did prove there is a market for football beyond the NFL season. Some teams actually did pretty well at the gate.

So while it doesn't spark anything for me, I can see a developmental type pro league making some headway. People watch minor league baseball...I don't see why they would watch minor league football.

I was just about to point out the minor league baseball angle.

Heck, when we lived in Fayetteville NC we would go to the local park to watch that games, and they weren't even a MLB affiliated team.

Though Fay now has a singe A team I believe, which I bet people watch.