Vince McMahon resurrecting new-look XFL to 'give football back to fans'

Alec Brzezinski

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Vince McMahon resurrecting new-look XFL to 'give football back to fans' image

The XFL is making a comeback.

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WWE founder and chairman Vince McMahon announced Thursday that he will resurrect the XFL, beginning in January 2020. He also will continue serving as CEO and Chairman of the WWE, but there will be no crossover among athletes between the two leagues.

"The new XFL will kick off in 2020, and quite frankly, we'll give the game of football back to the fans," McMahon said in his press conference.

McMahon co-owned with NBC the previous version of the XFL, which had just one season in 2001. NBC pulled out of its broadcast contract after the inaugural season, citing poor viewership ratings.

The XFL later cost McMahon’s WWE and broadcast partner NBC Sports a combined $87 million ($US70m), but that didn't stop McMahon selling a $100 million stake in his WWE company in December to try and get the XFL up and running again.

The Los Angeles Xtreme were the league's last champions.

The first season of the new XFL will feature eight teams and a 10-week schedule. McMahon also noted that games will be faster, with two hours marked as a goal run time.

McMahon was asked which cities would be considered for the league and said all cities are on his radar. 

Alec Brzezinski