ESPN and Disney will have the broadcasting rights to the XFL from 2023-2027.
It has been almost two years since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson partnered with Dany Garcia and RedBird Capotal to purchase the XFL. Now, the group has reached an incredible mark less than one year before the league is set to take off. The XFL has reached a multi-year agreement with ESPN and The Walt Disney Company that will give the network broadcasting rights for gameday content.
The XFL is set to kickoff on Feb. 18, 2023. There will be 40 games in total during the regular season followed by two postseason games and a championship. Games will now premiere on ESPN, ABC, and FX. This is a five-year agreement that will give ESPN and Disney these rights from 2023 through the 2027 season.
“This is a definitive moment for the XFL and the beginning of an incredible, long-term partnership for the league, building on my longstanding, very successful legacy relationship I’ve had with Disney throughout my career. We’re excited to be working with global visionaries that are aligned with the XFL’s values, are true team players and share our ambitious goals to grow the XFL as a global sports and entertainment business. Through the combined power of Disney, ESPN and the XFL, together we will create a new powerhouse on the sports calendar and bring a dynamic game of football to fans everywhere. Time to ball out,” The Rock said in a recent statement.
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History of the XFL
The Rock is the second WWE figure to take on the challenge of the XFL. Of course, Vince McMahon formed a partnership with Dick Ebersol and NBC in 2001 to acquire the league. It ended up folding after just one season.
McMahon attempted to bring the league back for the 2020 season but this lasted just five weeks after the COVID-19 pandemic forced to shut it down prematurely. There was some internal hope that the league could return once again in 2021 and keep its full-time employees on payroll. During this time, the pandemic continued to impact the economy and sports as a whole so it was forced to cancel once again.
The Rock and Garcia purchased the league for $15 million hours before the league was set to be auctioned off. The XFL filed for bankruptcy in April 2020. This transaction was closed in August of the same year after being sent to bankruptcy court approval.
Now, as the league prepares for yet another revival, the owners have struck a deal that will impact it for the next five years.
“Without question, we have long admired Disney’s distinct ability to engage an expansive consumer fanbase across verticals, while also maintaining a deeply authentic, nuanced and heartfelt approach to storytelling much like our own. To find a partner that honors our foundation and to be able to root our vision of unwavering passion, accessibility and the future of football with Disney as our home, is a dream come true. We are extraordinarily excited to explore the endless possibilities of this partnership – today is surely just the beginning,” Dany Garcia said.
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