What's with the XFL?

[KaBudokan]

I've seen a couple of things about the "XFL" on TV> I'm thinking it's going to be a serious joke. I looked at their site and didn't see anything substantial. What's the deal?

Somehow, just the fact that Vince McMahon is trying to break into anything resembling real "sports" makes me nervous.

 

[Wipeout667]

The XFL is going to be like a minor league NFL with an emphasis on scoring. Believe it or not they've actually secured the teams, playing fields, coaches, etc. The season starts after the Super Bowl, sometime in February.

The rules are really slanted to offense and showmanship, examples are:
- Only one foot needs to be in bounds for the catch to be declared a reception.
- No fair catches (I envision a lot of injuires... those guys are going to get clobbered)
- Celebrations/taunts are legal
- Teams get paid bonuses if they win games and there's a big pot at the end for the champions.

I think it's going to be interesting, but of course I'm a HUGE football fan and I can walk to Pac Bell Park where the SF Demons are going to play.

-Wipeout667

PS: I am *NOT* a Niners fan... GO BROWNS!

 

[GoldenBear]

<< Somehow, just the fact that Vince McMahon is trying to break into anything resembling real &quot;sports&quot; makes me nervous >>

Why? He turned the WWF from a regional program to an international program and a billion dollar family owned business. He has as much influence as any man out there, and his hardwork and dedication will allow his goals to work out.

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

I think it sounds fun as hell - what are the sizes of the field, though?

 

[KaBudokan]

<<Why? He turned the WWF from a regional program to an international program and a billion dollar family owned business. He has as much influence as any man out there, and his hardwork and dedication will allow his goals to work out.>>

He is a good businessman. He caters to the lowest common denominator. It sounds to me like they are going to do everything they can to sensationalize the game. Glorifying the violence and attitude more than it already is.

<<- No fair catches (I envision a lot of injuires... those guys are going to get clobbered)
- Celebrations/taunts are legal
- Teams get paid bonuses if they win games and there's a big pot at the end for the champions.>>

That pretty much makes my point I guess. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I don't see this as being about the &quot;sport&quot; at all.

 

[KingHam]

I'm sure that it will cater to it's target audience.

KingHam

 

[Tateman1]

I have also seen a report on tv that says the players will be like the wrestlers. Meaning they will try to follow some type of story line/soap opera. They have also encouraged the cheerleaders to date the players. Sounds a lot like rollerjam meets wrestling meets football, but I'll be damned I WILL PROBABLY STILL WATCH IT!!

 

[Wingznut]

I would be surprised if they pulled any stunts, like in the WWF. It's going to be on the up and up, as far as I know.

 

[Chef0083]

It better be on the up and up,, or it won't last!

 

[NakaNaka]

Its going to be like Any Given Sunday but worse ...

There are going to be tons of injuries and they will have to have some &quot;off the book&quot; rules so not everyone gets killed out there.

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

Basically, it's going to be NFL BLITZ in real life, with possible storylines.

 

[Gloaras]

<< No fair catches (I envision a lot of injuires... those guys are going to get clobbered) >>



what do you mean by no fair catches... ?

 

[Thunderbooty]

<< what do you mean by no fair catches... ? >>



On kick offs and punts, the reciever can signal a &quot;fair catch,&quot; so that he can catch and down the ball and no one is allowed to touch him. Of course, wants he has caught it, the ball is dead. Without these, guys can lazer in on people catching the ball and spear them the second they catch it...it should be ugly.

 

[Gloaras]

duh!!!! Temporary loss of my brains

That is not going to be good.. is there like a 5 yard minimun that you have to give the player before he catches the ball. That is how it works in the Canadian Football League. No fair catches but you need to give the player a 5 yard distance so you don't kill him.

 

[Chef0083]

It's 2 yards in the NFL(pretty sure)

I just don't see how this is going to do better than the other leagues that have popped up over the years. I mean you allready have arena in the off season that is looking like it will survive so where are they going to get their fan base? Just a thought..

D

 

[FatAlbo]

Arena football is there, but it is also different from &quot;regular&quot; football. Example: Live ball on missed field goals, no rushing the place kicker, the net at the end of each goal, MUCH shorter field, etc.

However, I think that if the XFL does better than arena football, it will be because of its increased television exposure and corporate backing of NBC. I've only seen arena football games aired on ESPN and TNN, both of which are cable stations (though this may be because there is no team in the Seattle area). XFL games will be broadcast on NBC, which is available in every major market and doesn't require cable.

One recent example of how television exposure and corporate backing helps is the two women's basketball leagues, the WNBA and ABL. The ABL had arguably much better players but had games aired through local markets and Lifetime (yet another cable channel). On the other hand, the WNBA was backed by the NBA and also had their games aired on NBC. ABL is now dead and WNBA is still alive.

 

[BigSmooth]

FatAlbo is right. If the XFL has continuing financial/marketing support, it will survive and possibly thrive. It's hard to tell what the public reaction would be to this sort of league, but there are a lot of people spending a lot of money on this league. I imagine they have done enough surveys and demographic studies to believe that this is a good investment. Personally, I am not interested in the league, but many people might be.

 

[piku]

I can't wait for the XFL to start. Its either going to kick ass or flop - im hoping for it to kick ass. Plus it gives me football to watch once the NFL season is over

 

[FrogDog]

<< no fair catches >>



as if concusions in sports were not common enough...

 

[Wipeout667]

On the &quot;storyline&quot; thread... that was reported by compeditors of NBC and the XFL to throw people off. McMahon envisions a truly compeditive league (based on the pay-for-performance bonus) without the storylines of the WWF. If you want scripted sports, watch the NBA.

-Wipeout667

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

<< On kick offs and punts, the reciever can signal a &quot;fair catch,&quot; so that he can catch and down the ball and no one is allowed to touch him. Of course, wants he has caught it, the ball is dead. Without these, guys can lazer in on people catching the ball and spear them the second they catch it...it should be ugly. >>

The only thing sexier than a girl that knows her football is a girl that can kick your ass