It seems a lot of sports fans are angry at the TV. They’re seeing politics overtake athletics, in ways that divide the country.
Is kneeling patriotic? Does “Black Lives Matter” refer to the concept, or the organization™ — which promotes a dissolution of family, in whose name rioters chant death to cops, and whose leadership endorses Marxism?
Are cops targeting black Americans en masse? Is America rife with systemic racism?
These are burning questions smoldering on the small screen, and whatever the accurate answers, some are responding with revolt.
Many Americans want to simply watch a game — free from any and all ideology.
Major League Baseball has thrown its hat in the political ring, as have the NFL and NBA.
The National Hockey League appears to be keeping the issues on ice, but what else is left?
Well, it looks like there’s a new kid on the block: Meet the XFL.
As you may know, the league — controlled by pro wrestling mastermind Vince McMahon — saw a single season in 2001. Reformed in 2018 with a less gimmicky presentation in mind, its 2020 inaugural season got canceled by corona.
But as of Monday, a makeover is among us.
NBC Sports reports: “Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is taking over the XFL…”
Superstar Dwayne has agreed to purchase the football association for $15 million, saving it from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Other investors include RedBird Capital Partners and his ex-wife, Dany Garcia.
This is big news for the league — not only is it getting a second (or third?) chance at life, but it’ll have the biggest star in the world promoting it.
And if you haven’t heard, the Rock — who himself played ball for the University of Miami — isn’t known for his laziness.
If the man wants it to succeed, there’s a good chance it will.
And given the 48-year-old’s apparent sensibilities where politics is concerned, you may not see it mixed into the thrill of game — which was aimed, by the way, at being simpler and faster-paced than the NFL.
With my trail blazing partner @DanyGarciaCo & Red Bird Capital, we have acquired the XFL.
With gratitude & passion I’ve built a career with my own two hands and will apply these callouses to our @xfl2020 brand.
Excited to create something special for the fans! #XFL #fullcircle pic.twitter.com/LprJ6HjglD— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 3, 2020
Here’s how the league describes itself:
Our season lasts just 79 days and will be a non-stop sprint from the first kick to the last down. Along the way, fans will experience a league built on three core principles:
- FAN-FIRST. We love our fans and want what they want. The XFL is a league that listens.
- ULTRA-ACCESSIBLE. We get fans close to the game in fun and imaginative ways.
- TRUE TO THE GAME. We are faithful to the foundations of football. Never different just to be different. No gimmicks. Ever.
Why are we launching the XFL?
For the Love of Football. It’s as simple as that.
For the Love of Football is why our coaches coach, players play, and why we invite new fans and the tried-and-true to be part of it all.
If you’ve been a football fan all your life, you’ll love the XFL. If you’ve never been to a professional football game, you’ll love the XFL (our ticket prices are affordable and family-friendly!).
What brings us all together is the love of America’s most popular sport and the desire to share more of it together.
In these heavy times, the lightness of that sounds really good.
It sounds like…sports.
-ALEX
See more pieces from me:
Sports Illustrated Features Its Swimsuit Issue’s ‘Curviest Model Ever’
ESPN’s Sage Steele Delivers a Fierce Reply to Allegedly Being Excluded for Not Being ‘Black Enough’
Ex-NBC Sports Commentator Sues, Claims He Was Fired For Being Straight
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