Despite being an American Football competition, the XFL has often garnered the interest of wrestling fans. This curiosity is likely down to the notable wrestling personalities involved in the league in some fashion, namely Vince McMahon and Dwayne Johnson.
Vince McMahon started the league in 2018 as a spiritual successor to a league of the same name he created in 2001. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2020, where it was then purchased by eight-time WWE Champion Dwayne Johnson.
Fast forward to 2023, however, and signs of struggle are starting to form within Dwayne Johnson’s XFL.
Dwayne Johnson’s XFL Reports $60,000,000 In Losses
A report by American sports magazine Sports Illustrated has confirmed that the XFL has lost a staggering $60 million from its first season of play.
The 2023 XFL season kicked off on February 18th, 2023, culminating a few months later on April 13th. Arlington Renegades were crowned as the season’s champions after defeating the DC Defenders in the final, with a healthy TV viewership of 1.40 million.
Affairs were not looking too fit off the pitch, however, judging by the latest announcement of losses. It has also been reported by Jabari Young of Forbes that the XFL were pushed to cut jobs due to these losses.
In response to the losses, Dwayne Johnson had the following to say;
“My goal was to get through the first season. This is not just an endeavor that’s going to full up a portfolio and one day we flip it and we’re out. This is legacy. This is the long game.”
Similarly, Johnson’s business partner and ex-wife Dany Garcia is also optimistic about the league’s future;
“We’re extremely well-capitalized for the long-term. This is our new WWE. The next massive live property.”
Dwayne Johnson confirmed earlier this year that there will indeed be a 2024 XFL season, so it looks as though the first season’s losses have not phased him much at all.
Recently Dwayne Johnson revealed that the XFL will merge with the USFL.