Don't fret if you're a fan of the XFL. Saturday's Defenders vs. Renegades championship game won't be the last time the teams appear on your TV screen, because the spring football league plans to return in 2024.
The extension was confirmed by USA Today, who spoke with owners Dany Garcia and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in late March.
Johnson told the outlet:
This isn’t one-and-done. This isn’t ‘let’s expand the portfolio, let’s make a little money and let’s get out of the game.’ This truly is a passion project that has dated back to when we were kids coming out of the University of Miami.
MORE: Watch XFL games live on Fubo (free trial)
Here's what you need to know about the future of the XFL as it looks ahead to next season:
Will the XFL return in 2024?
It understandable that you might not have too much faith in a brand with a history of instability. But that won't be the case with the XFL this time around the block.
Johnson was quoted in the USA Today article: "Absolutely, there will be a 2024 XFL football season."
The difference between the old version and new version of the XFL is the ownership's business strategies. Garcia, the first female owner of a a major sports league, told USA Today they've been planning for the long haul since the idea reappeared on their doorstep, and that they already have the dates for their second showcases, future combine and overall season.
XFL News Hub said the league, team-wise, will be status quo for the 2024 season, and the main storylines will include building upon their metrics from 2023. If they start to hit the marks they want, there could be expansions, with the numerous facilities available in cities like Portland, San Diego, Charlotte, Nashville and other NFL host, or previous host, cities as early as 2025 in Johnson's eyes.
XFL changes for 2024
The biggest potential change for the XFL in 2024 could be a relocation of the Vegas Vipers. The playing surface at Cashman Field drew criticism from the beginning and the Vipers are looking around for alternative sites.
While that could be another city, it could also be an alternate location in the suburbs. Las Vegas Ballpark, home of the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators, is a possibility at some point.
The 10,000-capacity venue hosted Pro Bowl practices in 2022 on an 80-yard field. The Las Vegas Review-Journal, however, quoted Aviators president Don Logan claiming the facility would be able to fit at least a 100-yard field.
Of course, scheduling would be a major issue, but that could evaporate within a few years if the Aviators' parent club, the Oakland Athletics, follow through on their vow to move to Vegas. Stay tuned.
How did the XFL do in 2023?
Here's the difference in the viewership numbers between the first four matchups (Week 1), the four mid-season matchups (Week 5), the final four matchups and matchups from (Week 9). All numbers are credit of ShowBuzz.
| Week | Matchup | TV channel | Viewers ages 18-49 | Total viewers (in thousands) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vegas vs. Arlington | ABC | N/A | N/A |
| Orlando vs. Houston | ESPN | 0.23 | 751 | |
| St. Louis vs. San Antonio | ESPN | N/A | N/A | |
| Seattle vs. DC | ESPN | 0.29 | 918 | |
| 5 | Houston vs. Seattle | ESPN | 0.09 | 227 |
| DC vs. St. Louis | FX | 0.07 | 320 | |
| Orlando vs. Vegas | FX | 0.06 | 234 | |
| Arlington vs. San Antonio | ESPN2 | 0.06 | 246 | |
| 10 | Orlando vs. St. Louis | ESPN | 0.18 | 636 |
| Houston vs. Arlington | ESPN | 0.11 | 403 | |
| Vegas vs. Seattle | ESPN2 | 0.09 | 378 | |
| DC vs. San Antonio | ABC | N/A | N/A | |
| Division championships | Arlington vs. Houston | ESPN | 0.19 | 675 |
| Seattle vs. DC | ESPN | 0.13 | 478 |
Those listed as N/A were not a part of ShowBuzz's weekly top 150 broadcasts on their respective dates.
Garcia and Johnson are well aware that the ratings haven't been peak in 2023. The chatter about attendance and air-time can be silenced though.
Garcia told USA Today:
We have been very much in the pocket of understanding of where our ratings would be. We understood the challenges that would happen, all the way through Week 5. And as we get into Week 6 and the latter half of the schedule, we knew where it would open up. So we’re really pleased – really, really pleased with the execution.
The pair do not view the old version of the league as an appropriate measurement of success in comparison with the new version. In 2020, there were no NCAA basketball tournaments to compete with in the months of February through April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Also, in 2020, the XFL was partnered half outside Disney, splitting screen time with Fox. Now, they now currently reside entirely under the hand of the Disney studios. 13 of the 20 games this season were on ESPN and ABC, while the other nine were on FX.
