Last month the football world was rocked by the news that the CFL and XFL announced they were officially working towards alignment. Since this news broke speculation has run wild across the internet. Some CFL insiders believe we’re headed towards a full blown merger, and fans are split on both sides of the border.
In the meantime, it seems that we may have some hints on the direction the discussions are taking the CFL and XFL.
According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, “Both leagues would play their regular seasons—there could be ‘interleague’ games, similar to MLB — and once the respective XFL and CFL champions are crowned, they’d face off in an interleague championship game.”
Here’s how it could work, a source told Front Office Sports: Both leagues would play their regular seasons — there could be “interleague” games, similar to MLB — and once the respective XFL and CFL champions are crowned, they’d face off in an interleague championship game.
There could also be an “All-Star Game” pitting players from both leagues. The long-term objective: the merger of the two pro football leagues.
Last year the XFL was proving that spring football could work, but then COVID-19 came into our lives and forced the league to suspend its season just 5-games in. Shortly after the league was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, only to be purchased by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital in August. With a new ownership group behind the helm of the XFL, it looks as if they’re trying to expand their presence.
The CFL missed the 2020 season, but looks to rebound this year. As of now the league plans to hit the field June 10th, but recent reports show that a postponement may be coming soon.
Last year the Canadian government refused to provide a $30 million interest-free loan, the CFL is now looking elsewhere for financial help. Due to COVID-19, the CFL was forced to cancel their 2020 season, which reportedly led to between $60 and $80M in losses. If the 2021 season is in jeopardy, the league is set to loos even more.
The league reportedly lost between $60 and $80 million last year after the Canadian government refused to provide a $30 million interest-free loan a year ago. They’ll lose millions more if any kind of season is played in 2021.
With XFL on the sidelines for 2021, and 2022 on hold until discussions are complete; there’s a lot of new eyes on the CFL. Both leagues clearly share a vision, but what that vision looks like is still yet to be known. We’ll keep you posted as more developments come on on the discussions between the CFL and XFL.
Where do you think the talks between the CFL and XFL will lead? Let us know down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.
