The XFL will return next year on multiple networks. Tuesday The XFL has announced a multi-year agreement with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN, which includes exclusive broadcast rights for gameday content for the 2023 season through 2027. All 43 games of each season will be broadcast on a combination ABC ESPN Networks/FX. The official launch of the 2023 season is Saturday, February 18, 2023.
“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,”Dany Garcia was the Chairwoman of XFL. “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.”
“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,”Dwayne Johnson is co-owner of XFL. “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.”
RedBird Captial bought the XFL from Garcia, Johnson and Gerry Cardinale for $15M in 2020. This was after the league closed earlier in the year as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. The league was owned by WWE chairman Vince McMahon, who filed for bankruptcy shortly after the league shut down in April 2020. There will be eight teams to play in the XFL, and while the locations for the teams haven’t been announced, the league revealed the eight head coaches for the 2023 season, which includes NFL legend Hines Ward and college football national champion Bob Stoops.
