The XFL saw tremendous success in its 2020 relaunch, which was largely due to Oliver Luck and his presence at the commissioner position. As a former football player himself, Luck brought a lot to the table for the league. Having been involved in the NCAA for a number of years, he had plenty of experience in the world of football. He was also the President of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, and helped lead the team to title victories in 2006 and 2007. Oliver Luck saw quite a bit of success in the sports arena, and brought that talent to the XFL. His business savvy was crucial in the league’s triumphs early on.
However, as we all know by now, the XFL was shut down, and Oliver Luck was fired by former owner Vince McMahon. Whether or not he was wrongfully terminated is another story – but right now, the new owners need to focus on finding someone who can effectively replace him. This is going to be a difficult task, considering how hard it is to find someone with the same level of experience and popularity as Oliver Luck who would actually be willing to work with them. Finding someone from the outside could prove to be a challenge, especially since the league has failed twice before.
Someone who may be able to step into the position is one of the few employees left on the inside: current President and COO, Jeffrey Pollack. Even though it may sound strange to some, after looking at the big picture, it does make sense. Pollack joined the league in early 2019, when he was given his current positions. He’s been with the XFL for a long time, and knows all the ins and outs that a commissioner would need to know. After it shut down, he organized and conducted the league’s sale – and was very pleased with the final result.
Statement from #XFL President Jeffrey Pollack: "This is a Hollywood ending to our sale process and an awesome new start for the XFL. Dany, Dwayne and Gerry are a dream team ownership group and the XFL is in the best possible hands for the exciting journey ahead."
— XFL Newsroom (@XFLNewsroom) August 3, 2020
Not only does Pollack have plenty of experience with the league, but he also has a long and successful history with sports itself. He launched his own sports newspaper in 1994, and has come a long way since then. He served as the Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications for the NBA in the early 2000’s. From 2005-2009, he was the commissioner of the World Series of Poker. He also has served as the Executive Chairman of the Professional Bull Riders, and the Executive Chairman of Federated Sports and Gaming. Most recently, he was the Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer for the Los Angeles Chargers, along with being their special advisor.
Jeffrey Pollack has quite the resume, and could be a great fit for the league moving forward. If the XFL can’t find anyone else who would be qualified for the job, Pollack is certainly someone they might go to. Who do you think should be the XFL’s new commissioner? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
