XFL cancels remainder of its season BUT the spring football league vows to pay its players in full


XFL cancels remainder of its season BUT the spring football league vows to pay its players in full, refund tickets, and claims it will be back in 2021

  • The XFL announced the cancellation of its season on Thursday
  • The spring football league will pay its players, who earn as much as $55,000 
  • Tickets will also be refunded and the league claims it will be back in 2021
  • Founded by WWE owner Vince McMahon, the XFL was first created in 2000 but folded after one season due to poor attendance before being revived in 2020 
  • Officially, the XFL averaged 18,614 fans per game with another 2 million viewers watching on that network and its parent company, ABC
  • However, viewership did decline over the four weeks of the XFL season 
  • The NFL has not announced any plans to delay or cancel events
  • The NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS have all postponed play while the NCAA has cancelled both its men’s and women’s Division I basketball tournaments  
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

The first season of the XFL’s reincarnation has come to an abrupt league as the Vince McMahon-owned spring football league cancelled the remainder of its season amid the worsening coronavirus crisis.

The good news for XFL players is that they will be paid for the entire season despite playing only four weeks, and furthermore, the league expects to be back in 2021. The top salary for players in 2020 was around $55,000, which is less than McMahon paid his XFL players in 2000, according to Athlon Sports.

‘Currently, the XFL will not be playing its regular-season games,’ read an unattributed league statement. ‘However, all players will be paid their base pay and benefits for the 2020 regular season. All XFL ticket holders will be issued refunds or credit toward future games. The XFL is committed to playing a full season in 2021 and future years.’

The first season of the XFL’s reincarnation has come to an abrupt league as the Vince McMahon-owned spring football league cancelled the remainder of its season amid the worsening coronavirus crisis

Unlike McMahon's previous effort, this incarnation of the XFL did not use the billionaire as the face of the league. Rather, former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck (pictured) served as commissioner of the eight-team league, which was scheduled for a 10-week season

McMahon is pictured at the XFL's launch in 2000

Unlike McMahon’s previous effort, this incarnation of the XFL did not use the billionaire as the face of the league. Rather, former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck (left) served as commissioner of the eight-team league, which was scheduled for a 10-week season. (Right) McMahon is pictured at the XFL’s launch in 2000

The XFL’s decision follows similar moves by the NBA, MLS, Major League Baseball and the NCAA, which cancelled the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at a tremendous financial loss.

Officially, the XFL averaged 18,614 fans per game with another 2 million viewers watching on that network and its parent company, ABC.

Although viewership declined over the season’s four weeks, the XFL enjoyed some ratings success. All 10 of the games broadcast on ABC ranked among television’s top 10 shows in their respective weeks, according to ESPN.

The majority owner and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon’s previous effort to launch the XFL failed in 2000.

Unlike McMahon’s previous effort, this incarnation of the XFL did not use the billionaire as the face of the league. Rather, former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck served as commissioner of the eight-team league, which was scheduled for a 10-week season. 

Officially, the XFL averaged 18,614 fans per game with another 2 million viewers watching on that network and its parent company, ABC. Although viewership declined over the season's four weeks, the XFL enjoyed some ratings success. All 10 of the games broadcast on ABC ranked among television's top 10 shows in their respective weeks, according to ESPN

Officially, the XFL averaged 18,614 fans per game with another 2 million viewers watching on that network and its parent company, ABC. Although viewership declined over the season’s four weeks, the XFL enjoyed some ratings success. All 10 of the games broadcast on ABC ranked among television’s top 10 shows in their respective weeks, according to ESPN