XFL Draft 2022: Full Selection Order, Format and Schedule for The Rock's League
Nov 15, 2022
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 19: US actor Dwayne Johnson attends the "Black Adam" photocall at NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding hotel on October 19, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/WireImage)
The D.C. Defenders will be selecting first in the XFL draft.
The new league, which is co-owned by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, announced the draft order and schedule for this week's event:
Announcing the 2023 #XFLDraft order for the first positional group:
Starting tomorrow, we'll be bringing you: ✅ REAL-TIME updates on https://t.co/5bSEbXo3PG ✅ LIVE coverage on Twitter ✅ BEHIND-THE-SCENES access on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
According to the league's official website, the draft will take place at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas. A total of 1,700 players in the XFL draft pool will be competing for the 528 training camp spot and 400 active player roster spots, but XFL head coaches already pre-selected quarterbacks.
Those quarterbacks will be announced Tuesday during a live-stream on the league website.
The first day of the draft will see offensive skill positions, defensive backs, defensive front-seven players and offensive linemen selected with 11 rounds of picks per the four positional groupings, while the second day will be dedicated to special team players before time dedicated to open selections for all positions.
While past attempts at XFL leagues have failed, there is no shortage of star power this time around.
Not only is The Rock involved as one of the league owners, but former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops is the head coach of the Arlington Renegades. Four-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion Hines Ward is the head coach of the San Antonio Brahmas, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson is the head coach of the Vegas Vipers. Meanwhile, longtime NFL head coach and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will serve as the head coach for the Houston Roughnecks.
One of the biggest questions heading into the post-NFL season for the new league is whether any players will emerge as household names.
P.J. Walker starred in the last edition of the XFL and is now a quarterback on the Carolina Panthers with five starts under his belt this season. He also started a game in 2020 and 2021 for the NFC South team.
Maybe the next Walker will hear his name called in the upcoming draft.
The Rock Reveals New XFL Team Names and Logos for 2023 Season in Hype Trailer
Oct 31, 2022
Dwayne Johnson
XFL co-owner Dwayne "The Rock"
Johnson announced team names for the football league's upcoming 2023
season Monday.
The league is set to include three
direct carryovers from the 2020 season—the D.C. Defenders,
Houston Roughnecks and St. Louis Battlehawks—along with a slight
name change for the Seattle Dragons, who've added Sea to their name.
Elsewhere, the Guardians have moved
from New York to Orlando, the Vipers have relocated to Las Vegas from
Tampa Bay and the Renegades made a small switch from Dallas to
Arlington.
The one completely new franchise is the
San Antonio Brahmas, who replace the Los Angeles Wildcats.
Here's a look at the team logos:
The XFL has unveiled its 8 new, official team identities:
▪️ Arlington Renegades ▪️ DC Defenders ▪️ Houston Roughnecks ▪️ Orlando Guardians ▪️ San Antonio Brahmas ▪️ Seattle Sea Dragons ▪️ St. Louis Battlehawks ▪️ Vegas Vipers pic.twitter.com/ETXQvUbrsx
The XFL completed half of its 2020
regular-season schedule before the remainder of the campaign was
canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August 2020, five months after the
league shut down, a group that included Johnson, business partner
Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital Partners purchased the XFL out of
Chapter 11 bankruptcy for $15 million.
The league was owned by former WWE
chairman Vince McMahon during both its 2001 and 2020 iterations.
In May, the XFL announced its 2023
season would kick off Feb. 18, six days after the NFL's Super Bowl,
with all games being broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.
Johnson attended the league's HBCU
showcase at Jackson State in July, saying the XFL is searching for
potential hidden gems that may not attract immediate attention from
NFL teams.
"Looking at places that are generally
overlooked and even the ones that are looked at, for example, like a
Jackson State when scouts come here, and they look, and they see, and
they evaluate the players," Johnson told reporters. "Well, now we
come along, and we want to evaluate the players, but maybe there is
an opportunity here. Let's explore, let's dig deeper."
While none of the spring football
leagues over the years has emerged as a true alternative to the NFL,
leagues like the XFL can be a terrific proving ground for players on
the fringe.
Dozens of players who took part in the
abbreviated 2020 XFL season went on to sign contracts in the NFL or CFL after
the league shut down.
XFL President Russ Brandon previously
said the league was aiming for a mid-November draft, though an
official date still hasn't been announced in wake of the team name
reveals.
The Rock's XFL Announces Host Cities for 2023 Season; Includes 3 New Locations
Jul 25, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: A view of the XFL logo on the sidelines before the XFL game between the DC Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks at Audi Field on March 8, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The eight XFL teams now know where they will play in 2023.
Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported the league will have teams in Las Vegas; Orlando, Florida; San Antonio; Arlington, Texas; Houston; St. Louis; Seattle and Washington, D.C. The first three are new cities that were not used in the previous iteration of the league and replace New York, Los Angeles and Tampa Bay.
Seifert also noted the league assigned home stadiums for every team except the one in Las Vegas, which may eventually play in Allegiant Stadium.
The coaches were also assigned to teams with Bob Stoops taking over the Arlington one and Hines Ward taking over the San Antonio one:
Arlington, Texas: Choctaw Stadium, coach Bob Stoops
Houston: TDECU Stadium, coach Wade Phillips
Orlando, Florida: Camping World Stadium, coach Terrell Buckley
Las Vegas: TBA stadium, coach Rod Woodson
San Antonio: The Alamodome, coach Hines Ward
Seattle: Lumen Field, coach Jim Haslett
St. Louis: The Dome, coach Anthony Becht
Washington D.C.: Audi Field, coach Reggie Barlow
While the teams are still missing nicknames, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who is the league's owner, said, "We have been working on cool, new logos and innovative uniforms that match the dynamic and innovative vision of our league."
In April, the XFL announced it partnered with the NFL Alumni Academy to provide training programs for players who may play in the league.
This comeback is happening after the XFL suspended operations and eventually canceled the season in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also filed for bankruptcy in April of that year.
The first game for the new iteration is scheduled for Feb. 18.
WWE's Vince McMahon, Oliver Luck Reach Settlement in XFL Termination Lawsuit
Jun 20, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 08: WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon speaks at a news conference announcing the WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The network will launch on February 24, 2014 as the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, offering both scheduled programs and video on demand. The USD 9.99 per month subscription will include access to all 12 live WWE pay-per-view events each year. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
WWE's Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck have reached a settlement in their wrongful termination lawsuit stemming from their failed attempt to reboot the XFL.
Per TMZ Sports, the case was expected to go to trial on July 11, but court documents filed last week stated the two sides "reached an agreement to resolve this case on June 16."
Luck, who is the father of former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, was hired by McMahon to be commissioner and CEO of the XFL and his contract was terminated when the league folded and filed for bankruptcy in early 2020.
According to TMZ Sports, Luck alleged in his lawsuit that McMahon "essentially fired him to avoid paying him the millions he said he was owed." A previous report stated that Luck was seeking $23.8 million in salary and damages. McMahon later filed a countersuit claiming that Luck was fired for cause.
Now, it appears that cooler heads have prevailed.
Luck's attorneys released a statement saying, "The parties have amicably resolved this matter, and wish each other well in future endeavors."
The settlement comes on the heels of WWE's board of directors announcing that it is investigating McMahon following allegations of misconduct.
On Friday, WWE announced that McMahon would be stepping down from his roles as CEO and chairman amid the investigation. A special committee has been formed by the company's board of directors to look into McMahon and head of talent relations John Laurinaitis, who both are accused of engaging in inappropriate behavior related to an alleged affair McMahon had with a WWE employee and payments she allegedly received as part of a "hush pact," per the Wall Street Journal's Joe Palazzolo and Ted Mann.
McMahon has been replaced by his daughter Stephanie McMahon on an interim basis while the investigation continues.
The Rock's XFL, ESPN Announce Broadcast Agreement for 2023 Schedule
May 17, 2022
US actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson speaks onstage during the Warner Bros. Pictures "The Big Picture" presentation during CinemaCon 2022 at Caesars Palace on April 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
The XFL has found a new broadcast home as it prepares for its upcoming relaunch.
The pro football league, featuring an ownership group led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners, has reached a multi-year agreement with the Walt Disney Company for ESPN to be the exclusive broadcast partner starting with the 2023 season.
The XFL is set to kick off its return on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. The schedule will feature 40 regular-season matchups, two semifinal playoff games and a championship.
The announcement of the broadcast deal coincided with Johnson and Garcia's appearance at the Disney Upfront presentation in New York on Tuesday.
"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," Johnson said.
The XFL was most recently active for its comeback season in 2020 under the ownership of WWE chairman Vince McMahon. The season lasted just five weeks before ceasing operations and filing for bankruptcy in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson and his ownership consortium purchased the XFL for $15 million in August 2020.
According to the release, XFL games will be broadcast on "a combination of ABC, ESPN networks and FX." The agreement also gives ESPN exclusive content rights for its digital and social platforms, including ESPN+.
"Through the combined power of Disney and the XFL, together we will create a new powerhouse on the sports calendar and bring a dynamic game of football to fans everywhere," Johnson said. "Time to ball out."
ESPN: The Rock's XFL Says It Would Offer Higher Salaries, Better Benefits Than USFL
Apr 19, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 08: A view of the XFL logo on the sidelines before the XFL game between the DC Defenders and the St. Louis Battlehawks at Audi Field on March 8, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
High-ranking XFL executives reportedly
held a meeting with player agents Monday to lay out why its relaunch
in 2023 will represent a better NFL showcase opportunity than the USFL, which
started its 2022 season over the weekend.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported Tuesday
the XFL group, which featured Marc Ross, Doug Whaley and Russ Giglio representing owners Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia, said it
will offer players "higher salaries and better benefits" than the
USFL.
Spring football has failed to gain a
significant foothold in the U.S. It's a time on the sports calendar
reserved for March Madness followed by the NBA and NHL playoffs along
with the MLB season.
While there may be enough interest for
one offseason alternative to the NFL, it's unlikely both the USFL and
XFL can coexist for the long haul.
In turn, the XFL is trying to lay the
groundwork to survive that head-to-head battle beginning next year.
Along with the salaries and benefits,
the league's executives told agents their February-to-May schedule is
a better fit for players with an eye toward the NFL than the USFL's
April-to-July slate, per Seifert.
Johnson, who played football in college
at the University of Miami and professionally with the CFL's Calgary
Stampeders before his successful WWE and acting careers, explained on
ESPN's Get Up last week why he decided to join the XFL's ownership
group:
XFL co-owner, @TheRock, talked about his inspiration behind becoming involved in the league ⬇️
"I got involved with the XFL and became an XFL owner with Dany to help players dreams come true ... and to grow the game of football." pic.twitter.com/VXKOZPnfLB
The league will lean heavily on his
star power to spotlight its return over the next 10 months.
While having The Rock as a hype man is
certainly an advantage, USFL executive Daryl Johnston said he's
confident the league is in a better position to deliver for fans than
the XFL, per Seifert.
"When you're talking about Fox and
NBC as partners, I don't think there is a way for the XFL to match
what we have created there in the ability to broadcast the USFL into
television for the fans," Johnston said.
Put it all together, and a classic "this town ain't big enough
for both of us" showdown awaits for the two leagues in 2023.
The Rock Announces Bob Stoops, Hines Ward, More XFL Head Coaches for 2023 Season
Apr 13, 2022
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: Assistant coach Hines Ward of the New York Jets looks on against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
The eight head coaches for the 2023 relaunch of the XFL were revealed Wednesday on ESPN.
During an appearance by XFL owners Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia on ESPN's Get Up, the following names were announced as head coaches for the 2023 season:
On ESPN, the @XFL2023 just announced the league's 8 head coaches for its 2023 return to the field. They are:
Wade Phillips Bob Stoops Terrell Buckley Hines Ward Rod Woodson Reggie Barlow Anthony Becht Jim Haslett
Former NFL head coaches Wade Phillips and Jim Haslett, as well as former University of Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, will join the league. Former NFL stars Hines Ward and Rod Woodson are set to receive their first head coaching opportunities at the professional level.
In terms of previous head coaching experience, Phillips, Haslett and Stoops are undoubtedly the biggest gets for the XFL.
Aside from being a longtime NFL defensive coordinator, the 74-year-old Phillips spent 12 seasons as an NFL head coach. He was a full-time head coach of the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys and served in an interim capacity for the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Texans.
All told, Phillips accrued an 82-64 record during the regular season and led teams to the playoffs on five occasions.
Haslett, 66, has long been an NFL assistant coach on the defensive side of the ball, but he is best known for his six years as head coach of the Saints from 2000 to 2005, going 45-51 with one playoff appearance. He also went 2-10 as the then-St. Louis Rams' interim head coach in 2008.
Stoops spent 18 seasons as the Sooners' head coach from 1999 through 2016 and served as the interim head coach for two games last season after Lincoln Riley's departure.
He is one of the most successful head coaches in college football history with a 191-48 record, 10 Big 12 championships and one national championship to his credit.
The 61-year-old Stoops is also the only returning head coach from the 2020 version of the XFL, which saw him lead the Dallas Renegades.
The other five XFL head coaches are best known for their NFL playing careers, and many of them have limited coaching experience.
Ward spent 14 seasons as a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1998 through 2011, earning four Pro Bowl nods, two Super Bowl rings and one Super Bowl MVP award.
He broke into coaching as an offensive assistant with the New York Jets in 2019 and spent last season as the wide receivers coach at Florida Atlantic University.
Woodson is also a Steelers legend, spending 10 of his 17 NFL seasons as a defensive back in Pittsburgh.
The 57-year-old is a member of the Pro Football and College Football Hall of Fame, and he owns a sparkling resume highlighted by 11 Pro Bowl berths, six first-team All-Pro selections, one NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and one Super Bowl win, the latter of which came as a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Woodson's most recent coaching job was as the cornerbacks coach for the then-Oakland Raiders in 2017.
Terrell Buckley, 50, was an NFL cornerback from 1992 through 2005 with multiple teams, most notably the Miami Dolphins from 1995 to 1999.
He has been an assistant coach at multiple collegiate programs since 2007, including being the cornerbacks coach at Ole Miss in 2020 and 2021.
The 44-year-old Anthony Becht was a first-round pick of the Jets in 2000 and remained in the NFL through the 2011 season.
His first major coaching job came as the tight ends coach for the Alliance of American Football's San Diego Fleet in 2019, and he most recently was the offensive coordinator at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Florida.
Reggie Barlow, 50, was a wide receiver and return specialist for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 through 2003, winning a Super Bowl with the Bucs.
He has extensive head coaching experience at the NCAA FCS and Division II levels, coaching Alabama State from 2007 to 2014 and Virginia State from 2016 through 2021.
The 2023 XFL season is set to begin in February 2023, and it will represent the third iteration of the league.
The XFL lasted one season in 2001 before folding and didn't make it all the way through the 2020 season after its reboot because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson, Garcia and a group of investors purchased the XFL from WWE Chairman Vince McMahon in 2020 for $15 million.
In hopes of sustaining the XFL over the long term, the league has reached a partnership agreement with the NFL to aid in the development of players.
The Rock's XFL Announces Exclusive Partnership with NFL Alumni Academy
Apr 11, 2022
ST LOUIS, MO - FEBRUARY 23: A view of the XFL logo on the down marker during the second half of an XFL game between the St. Louis Battlehawks and the NY Guardians at The Dome at America Center on February 23, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jeff Curry/Getty Images)
The XFL announced on Monday it is partnering with the NFL Alumni Academy, a training program during the NFL season for players deemed talented enough to potentially play in the league in the future.
"The NFL Alumni Academy has found great success over the past two years training and mentoring up-and-coming players, many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL, and we are collaborating to create another avenue of opportunity for players to showcase their talent," XFL president Russ Brandon said in a statement. "We are completely aligned in our player-centric philosophy and we're eager to continue to explore the bounds of this partnership."
The XFL and NFL Alumni Academy will combine their "scouting and training expertise to develop the next best players in the game and offer more opportunities to play professional football."
The NFL Alumni Academy essentially serves as a training and developmental camp for players who could land on teams because of in-season injuries or roster cuts, giving NFL teams a pool of prospective free-agent additions.
In past seasons, NFL Alumni Academy players have gone on to sign with NFL teams.
Alongside football training, it also offers "off-field development opportunities including life skills, cognitive training, and mind-body wellness programs."
"What makes a league successful is its players, which is why we take a holistic approach to player development at the NFL Alumni Academy, ensuring they have skills and resources needed to excel both on and off the field," the NFL Alumni Academy's executive director Dean Dalton said in a statement. "We are really excited for this strategic partnership with the XFL, which will have a positive ripple-effect across the entire football landscape."
The XFL, now in its third iteration after being shuttered on two separate occasions, is currently under the ownership of Dany Garcia, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Gerry Cardinale's RedBird Capital Partners.
"The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that's rooted deeply in two things—my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans," Johnson said in Aug. 2020 after taking ownership of the XFL. "With pride and gratitude for all that I've built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans and everyone involved for the love of football."
The XFL is re-launching in Feb. 2023.
Megan Rapinoe Threatens The Rock with 'Cease and Desist' over XFL's New Logo
Apr 8, 2022
PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 02: Megan Rapinoe #15 of the OL Reign warms up before a match against the Portland Thorns at Providence Park on April 02, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
United States women's national team star Megan Rapinoe threatened Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson with a cease-and-desist order Thursday over the XFL's new branding, which is very similar to that of Togethxr, a company co-founded by Rapinoe's fiancee, Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird.
Bird, USWNT forward Alex Morgan and two-time Olympic gold medalists Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel founded Togethxr, a new media and commerce company "where culture, activism, lifestyle and sports converge," last year.
Togethxr confirmed Friday on Twitter that it has "issued a legal notice" regarding the XFL's new branding.
Too often the work & creativity of women is overlooked & undervalued.
Diversity & equality are the norm around here. We’re thrilled to see the XFL embrace inclusivity but this rebrand ain’t it. We’ve issued a legal notice & will continue to protect the important work we’re doing pic.twitter.com/QoNAfx4FbK
Johnson revealed the new XFL branding Thursday and wrote on Twitter that the "X represents the intersection of dreams and opportunity."
Pumped to reveal our new @XFL2023 logo as we build our organization and shape our one of a kind, hungry XFL culture. X represents the INTERSECTION OF DREAMS & OPPORTUNITY. To all our XFL players, coaches, fans; You bring the dreams - we’ll bring the opportunity. Now LFG!#XFL2023pic.twitter.com/ucbSjiBVwf
Johnson, along with Dany Garcia and Redbird Capital, bought the XFL out of bankruptcy court for $15 million in 2021. The league was originally founded by WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon in 2001.
After the XFL folded following one season, McMahon revived the league in 2020. However, the season was canceled during its first year back because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The XFL is expected to return in February 2023 and has a collaboration agreement with the NFL. Cities and teams have yet to be announced.
The Rock Reveals New XFL Logo for 2023 Season in Promo Video
Apr 6, 2022
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Entertainer Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson attends the Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
One year away from the latest relaunch of the XFL, The Rock has unveiled the football league's new logo.
In a video posted on Twitter, The Rock said the XFL will be "where the full potential of football is realized, both on and off the field."
Pumped to reveal our new @XFL2023 logo as we build our organization and shape our one of a kind, hungry XFL culture. X represents the INTERSECTION OF DREAMS & OPPORTUNITY. To all our XFL players, coaches, fans; You bring the dreams - we’ll bring the opportunity. Now LFG!#XFL2023pic.twitter.com/ucbSjiBVwf
WWE chairman Vince McMahon, who owned a controlling interest in the XFL, had the league file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2020 shortly after the league had to pause play amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first iteration of the XFL was founded by McMahon in 1999. It had just one season in 2001 before folding after losing $70 million.
McMahon announced plans to reboot the league in January 2018. The new XFL was going to play a 10-week regular season, but it only made it through five weeks before the season was suspended.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert and Field Yates reported on April 10, 2020, four weeks after play was suspended, that nearly half of the XFL staff had been laid off and there were no plans to play a season in 2021.
The Rock was part of an investor group that spent nearly $15 million to acquire the XFL in August 2020. Dany Garcia, The Rock's business partner, told Seifert the league was "planning" to play in 2021.
In February, the XFL announced a partnership with the NFL to experiment with proposed rules changes, test new equipment and develop prospective officials and coaches. There are no plans to have the XFL serve as a player-development league for the NFL.
That plan did get pushed back by two years, but The Rock said in an Instagram video in January that training camps will open on Jan. 3, 2023.
A Dec. 2021 Instagram post by Garcia teased that the regular season will kickoff on Feb. 18, 2023.
If that date holds, it will be six days after Super Bowl 57.
