The XFL Could Be Coming To Charlotte in 2020 To Take On The NFL

5068

The XFL is a new professional football league that will start their first official season in 2020 as a more fast-paced, excited, less-political alternative to the NFL.

The controversial football league was originally founded by Vince McMahon in 1999, in partnership with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and NBC, but only lasted 1 season.

Here are some highlights from the only season of the original XFL back in 2001;

McMahon, who rushed the first XFL season into existence without even a full slate of offseason practices, said he’s learned his lesson from one of professional football’s biggest initial flops. He’s now hoping the 2+ years of anticipation and preparation for the new 2020 season will result in far more momentum.

“The new XFL is an exciting opportunity to reimagine America’s favorite sport,” said McMahon in a statement. “As we move towards kickoff, we look forward to listening and implementing innovative ideas from players, coaches, medical experts, technology executives, the media and most importantly football fans.”

There will still be 4 east coast and 4 west coast teams, but they will be built from the ground up with new names and new homes.

“We intend to start conservatively with eight teams,” McMahon said in announcing the XFL relaunch, while also noting that “we’re way away from announcing cities.”

Since McMahon’s relaunch announcement earlier this year, there’s been tons of speculation and rumors about where the new teams might be located.

Currently, the most talked about XFL host cities are Houston, St. Louis, San Antonio, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando, Charlotte, Queens/NYC, Virginia Beach and Memphis.

While Charlotte does already have an NFL team, many feel that fan loyalty has weakened after the team was sold amid sexual misconduct allegations by founder Jerry Richardson. This, combined with our growing population and die-hard college football fan base, makes the Queen City a solid contender.

A few months ago, the heads of the XFL all flew to Charlotte to form a new league committee and to tour our city;

One of the most legendary players in XFL history, Rod ‘HeHateMe’ Smart, joined the Panthers after his 2001 XFL season and has now become somewhat of a hometown hero;

There’s also a rumor swirling around that Steve Smith might join the league and help promote a possible Charlotte XFL Team;

What might a possible name be if XFL did come to Charlotte?

One idea put be a ‘United Carolinas’ team named the “Carolina Maulers”;

Another idea would be a more Charlotte-focused idea – to bring back the Bobcats;

The XFL commissioner is expected to release the names of the host cities before the end of the year;

What do you think about the return of the XFL?

Do you think they should start a team in Charlotte?

Comments

comments