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Polamalu and Ward to be involved with the new XFL

It's not the XFL, it is an XFL rival league started up by Charlie Ebersol who is the son of Dick Ebersol that partnered with Vince McMahon to form the original XFL. This new league is supposed to premier in 2019 while the new XFL is not slated to begin until 2020. It will be interesting to see if they can get the funding, advertising, ownership, players...etc in a little over a years time.
 
One twist planned is the elimination of kickoffs as teams will start on their 25-yard line. Teams that want to try an onside kick will instead get one play from their 35 to gain 10 yards and keep possession of the ball.

This league already killed my interest.
 
It's not the XFL, it is an XFL rival league started up by Charlie Ebersol who is the son of Dick Ebersol that partnered with Vince McMahon to form the original XFL. This new league is supposed to premier in 2019 while the new XFL is not slated to begin until 2020. It will be interesting to see if they can get the funding, advertising, ownership, players...etc in a little over a years time.

I had a face book feed that said they already had big money behind them, in particular some billionaire. I doubt they could have gotten some of the people they did if that wasn't the case, especially Troy.
 
Well, I'm out on this AAF league now, too.

Here's hoping the XFL gives us the 70s-80s football we all know, loved, and grew up on.
They kinda succeeded the first time, but decided to ruin it with wrestling gimmicks and failed "entertainment".
If they go bare bones, like it's sounding they want to, it's got a chance.
 
Well, I'm out on this AAF league now, too.

Here's hoping the XFL gives us the 70s-80s football we all know, loved, and grew up on.
They kinda succeeded the first time, but decided to ruin it with wrestling gimmicks and failed "entertainment".
If they go bare bones, like it's sounding they want to, it's got a chance.

Even if the league attempts to go back to 70's and 80's style of football, it will only be for a limited amount of time. The NFL, NCAA, High School...etc did not arbitrarily decide to alter it's rules on a whim. Like it or hate it, the biggest reason for the rule changes was player safety from a liability perspective. If the league permits a rules and style of play that is known to cause debilitating injuries, brain trauma, and now CTE, the league can be held liable in court. Any league that turns a blind eye to that liability will be a bankrupt league in no time at all.
 
I think the XFL has a chance. Some fans left the NFL, others are pissed but still watch.

Suddenly a new football league come up with all players required to stand during the national anthem, and kickoffs are moved back 5 yards....could have something. Picking the city locations could be the key.
 
Not surprised at Ward. Quite surprised Troy is a part of this. Thought he would totally move on from the game. Short kickoff rule is different. Im thinking the Pats would go for that virtually every time.
 
I think the NFL should be funding something like this as a sort of minor league developement player system. Hockey and MLB do it so why NOT NFL???? Neither of these XFL or Alliance of American Football (AAF) will be around 4years after they open their season.. They will be lucky to make two full seasons. I wish them well and QUALITY football as that will have me watching but the XFL and theatrics will wear thin and the AAF with subpar college players will be like high school. Add in the cost of tickets.......$35.00 or more??? HARDLY going to capture the general public. I hope I'm wrong and they can get a good quality football league going as the NFL needs competition and has grown to the point of being ripe for a new league.



Salute the nation
 
I had a face book feed that said they already had big money behind them, in particular some billionaire. I doubt they could have gotten some of the people they did if that wasn't the case, especially Troy.

It's peter Thiel. The guy who financed Hogan's suit against Gawker that drove the website into bankruptcy.
 
If it's, actual, FOOTBALL like it used to be. I'm in. Hope they have rules that the officials can understand in every situation. That way fans and players can understand too.
 
Even if the league attempts to go back to 70's and 80's style of football, it will only be for a limited amount of time. The NFL, NCAA, High School...etc did not arbitrarily decide to alter it's rules on a whim. Like it or hate it, the biggest reason for the rule changes was player safety from a liability perspective. If the league permits a rules and style of play that is known to cause debilitating injuries, brain trauma, and now CTE, the league can be held liable in court. Any league that turns a blind eye to that liability will be a bankrupt league in no time at all.

Not sure that's entirely true.
The reason is NFL is in trouble now because they lied to the players about the long term effects and when players reported concussion issues, they're were told to rub some dirt on it and get back in there. Also, players feared losing their starting job, and in turn, losing their paycheck.
A player drafted today who plays in the NFL and retires after a few years and suffers some kind of CTE or head trauma will not be able to sue the NFL.

XFL can put in hold harmless language or essentially a release of liability clause into their contracts.
I think part of the NFL vs Retired Players lawsuit stipulated as much as well. I think there was a firm cutoff date specified for payout of medical expenses.

Hell, a lot of recently retired players and current players HATE the new Flag Football rules.
They're fully aware football is a very violent sport that takes its toll on the body.
But you're sacrificing your body for the big bucks. It's a trade off.
Interest in the NFL has been in general decline way before the Anthem protests.
It's due to it becoming less physical and more scrutinized.

AAF and/or XFL have a chance to capitalize on this.
If they're successful, it would force NFL to change or fold.
 
If a team lands in Pittsburgh I'll watch. If not, I don't really care.
 
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