Rumors have surfaced that WWE boss Vince McMahon is looking to revive the XFL, and the WWE isn’t denying the claims.
A report Friday night on Twitter said an announcement about bringing back the failed professional football league may come next month.
EXCLUSIVE: Vince McMahon is looking to bring back the XFL and may announce it on January 25th, 2018.
— Brad Shepard 🤘🏻 (@TheBradShepard) December 16, 2017
Later, David Bixenspan, who writes for Deadspin among other outlets, asked the WWE to confirm or deny the report. The wrestling organization responded that McMahon has founded and is personally funding a venture “to explore investment opportunities in sports and entertaining including professional football.”
A WWE spokesperson issued the attached statement to me & @Deadspin in response to my inquiry about tonight's rumors of a soon to be announced XFL revival. They declined further comment. Whatever Vince McMahon's "Alpha Entertainment" is, it's self-funded & separate from WWE. pic.twitter.com/oT0Oxyi2fV
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) December 16, 2017
Based on a conversation between McMahon and XFL co-founder Dick Ebersol that aired as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary about the league, rumors about a potential revival do not come as a complete shock.
“Do you ever have any thoughts about trying again?” Ebersol asked McMahon (via Pro Football Talk).
“Yes I do,” McMahon responded. “I don’t know what it would be. I don’t know if it’s gonna be another XFL or what it may be or how different I would make it. It seems like in some way it would tie in either with the NFL itself or the owners.”