Does the XFL Have What It Takes To Survive?
by Ovi Muniz
The XFL has completed its first two weeks with success. The ratings are what they hoped and expected, and it seems as though the league will finish out the season. Just like the NFL, every team that finishes in last place is questioned about whether or not a top college football team can defeat one. How would that play out? Hypothetically speaking, there is no college football team, not even a national champion, that has defeated an NFL team, nor do I expect it to ever happen. It has never been scheduled. How about in the XFL? My answer will still be “No”.
I will say the same about the best XFL team versus the worst NFL team. Players on the current XFL roster are mostly athletes that have been bounced around from team-to-team trying to land a spot in the NFL. They are on the practice squad or either second string and below. You can create an all-star XFL team and they still will lose to any NFL team, but can manage to defeat any college football team. Schwartz reported on SBNation that in the NFL, there are scouts that can examine a player and breakdown a teams playbook to determine the correct formula to advance the skills of a player. The XFL does not have scouts in play. The XFL is a fast paced game compared to the NFL, and they react, rather than deliberately execute a play.
We can expect the XFL to be a viable league, hoping the ratings will remain strong and ticket sales remain similar to weeks 1 and 2. The biggest challenge will be the start of Major League Baseball, with their cheating scandal drama, College Basketball Conference playoffs and the March Madness Tournament covering the weekends of March and first weekend of April. Also, the NBA is finishing off their season as teams clinch their seeds for the playoffs.
How can the XFL stay consistent? Should the XFL complete their season and get set for a follow up season, the top players will probably not return to the league because they accepted a contract with the NFL. We are getting to know these players and I hope they return for another season. The league can have another Drew Brees, Tom Brady, or a Peyton Manning that can be the face of the XFL. However, should the XFL turn into a college program, it may be a one or two year completion.
The XFL will survive. Vince McMahon waited patiently and did not rush to ensure success. Let’s hope they put on a great show so that the audience and viewers continue supporting the league.
