Last year the football world was rocked, and XFL fans rejoiced, when it was announced that the league had been purchased out of bankruptcy by Dany Garcia, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and RedBird Capital. Since then, we haven’t learned much as the new ownership group has begun to get a strategy in place.
Sportico reports that NFL executive Kevin LaForce, architect of the league’s media and investment strategies, is leaving the league to join RedBird Capital.
SCOOP: NFL Executive Kevin LaForce Leaving to Join RedBird Capital https://t.co/i01y4ZBqHP via @sportico @novy_williams #SportsBiz | #NFL
— Scott Soshnick (@soshnick) June 7, 2021
LaForce served as NFL’s senior vice president of media strategy and business development since 2017. In this position he’s negotiated huge broadcast deals, totally over $110 billion in revenue over the next decade. He’s also known for assisting the NFL in it’s transition to various streaming services.
Although this news isn’t directly tied to the XFL, it could be a sign of things to come. When the league returns, whenever that may be, these are key initiatives that will be on the new ownerships minds.
With the announcement that the USFL would be returning next year on FOX, that effectively removes one of the leagues broadcast partners. At the moment, 2022 is on hold for the XFL until they complete their talks with the CFL. That being said, it’s never too early to get started, whether that’s 2022 or 2023.
