RE: Potential XFL return
I think this league is going to have some issues finding places to play.
I'm assuming that all the NFL teams have exclusive pro football contracts on their home stadiums. And that the XFL will not play in a stadium with less than 18k capacity
I'm also assuming that many P5 teams will not be renting stadiums they own out for the XFL. I'll assume that G5 teams will and that most MLS stadiums would be available. That might not be the case in every situation. I'm also assuming that MLB facilities might not be available either.
First, lets throw out some cities that don't have stadiums and aren't going to build one for an XFL team. Seattle, Sacramento. Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Indianapolis, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Boston, Louisville, and Austin might not have a facility available. For practical purposes, outdoor football, even if they can rent the MLB stadium, is going to be not feasible in January and February in Detroit, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, or Cleveland. I think it would be rather foolish to spend money on a new league stadium. And I don't think the XFL is going to be spending their own money on this venture. Maybe a place like Oklahoma City might bite on a stadium...but I don't know.
Now, here are some places where the potential stadium already has a football tenant. Houston (FCS - Texas Southern), San Antonio (UTPA), Memphis (Memphis), Tulsa (U of Tulsa), Cincinnati (Cincinnati), Las Vegas (UNLV), Phoenix (Arizona State), Birmingham (UAB), E Hartford (UConn), Charlotte (UNCC - or they could play in a 21k high school stadium), Greensboro (NC A&T), The Roads (either Norfolk State or ODU), San Diego (SDSU), Atlanta (Ga State), Providence (FCS - Portland State). Its possible these places might have contractual agreements.
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Just for argument's sake, I'll concede that the XFL might be able to play in some MLB stadiums.
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And then there's the public financing issue. Most cities aren't going to spend money on a league that has no track record and is run by people who have failed before. Some cities have referendum requirements now. And if you think about what kind of league run by Vince McMahon is likely to represent, and you look at the political dynamic of the cities and counties in which it is proposed to be located....and they might have significant pushback if they're looking for handouts. Sure the cities will take the XFL's money, but its unlikely many will front them cash or give them much of a discount on city owned facilities.
And my God, they're going to try to play this mess in late January and February?? Who in their right mind is going to go watch minor league football in Philadelphia, much less Buffalo in February?
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So lets put together some potential teams, most of which would need to be privately funded
New England (E Hartford - renting from UConn)...possibly Boston (renting from BC) or if a MLS stadium gets built, they could move there (the stadium deal is a mess). I don't think Fenway is suitable for football or that its owner is going to be amenable to playing football there. I don't see any team drawing any fans in January for a team not named the Patriots.
NYC - (Harrison NJ, MLS facility). I think for a variety of reasons, the Mets and Yankees pass on having a long term and permanent tenant in their facilities. Either way, weather is going to be an issue.
Phiiladelphia (Chester, PA MLS facility). Again weather.
DC (MLS stadium). Plausible, but still miserable weather.
Norfolk (ODU Stadium) - I don't think they get a team.
Columbus (MLS Stadium) - Weather would be horrendous
Cincinnati (renting from the U of Cincinnati) - Even if they get the stadium, the weather is going to be a problem.
Chicago (Bridgeview IL, MLS Stadium) - They will draw tens of fans to an outdoor facility in February.
St Louis (ED Jones)
Memphis (Liberty Bowl)
Nashville (MLS Stadium)
Atlanta (Georgia State)
Birmingham (Legion Field)
Orlando (Camping World Stadium)
Miami (either MLS stadium or FIU or FAU)
San Antonio (Alamodome)
Tampa Bay - I'll concede they might get that MLB stadium
Houston (Rice)
Dallas (Cotton Bowl)
Tulsa (U of Tulsa) - They aren't likely to get a team
Denver (MLS) - Better hope for some Chinook winds
Salt Lake (MLS) - Bring a jacket or ten.
Las Vegas (UNLV) - Don't think there's any appetite for a second pro team there
Los Angeles (MLS facility in Carson)
Bay Area (MLS facility San Jose)
Portland (MLS facility)
San Diego (renting from SDSU or the City)
BTW, this doesn't represent likely teams, just plausible ones.
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Any public money or subsidy throws San Diego out. This league will probably be so dependent upon MLS that they'll probably have to give them ownership shares. Which will make raising money even more difficult. I think McMahon is looking for handouts from cities. I'm not sure they're going to get them either.
Anyone want to spend 300 bucks (40 bucks a ticket x 4, plus parking and food/beer) to take the family to go to Legion Field in mid February to watch minor league football?
They better hope for some unseasonably warm weather. A winter even like this one would just kill the league.
My prediction...the league gets off the ground - barely. It draws about 15,000 a game after selling most of their tickets on groupon. First two weekends will be great for the league, but will fall off like a rock after that. The franchises immediately run into the ground and the league folds by 2023.
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