SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) owner Vince McMahon's announcement of the XFL's return took many by surprise, but it also raised the possibility of pro football returning to San Diego.
The original XFL, supported by NBC, launched in 2001 but lasted all of one season before folding. Looking back, the league is remembered more for gimmicks and players with personalized jerseys (who remembers "He Hate Me"?) than quality football on the field.
This time around, McMahon said this latest iteration of the XFL will return in 2020 with eight league-owned teams. There will be 40 players per team and a season will last 10 weeks.
McMahon acknowledged that this rebooted version would be "toned down" and he would listen to fan feedback on the league's development.
While McMahon did not say which eight markets will have a team, many across social media have started speculation as to what cities will land an XFL squad -- and most of the conversation centers on markets that have lost an NFL team in recent years.
XFL cities in 2020 should be San Diego, Oakland, St. Louis, Canton, San Antonio, Memphis, East Rutherford and Cleveland (which certainly deserves a pro football team).
— Woody Paige (@woodypaige) January 26, 2018
Trying to guess the 8 XFL locations is impossible. But assuming no access to NFL facilities, and target some less pro-heavy cities:
• San Diego
• Oakland (post-Raiders)
• St Louis
• San Antonio
• Salt Lake City
• Birmingham
• Memphis
• Atlantic CityOther ideas?
— Pick Six Previews (@PickSixPreviews) January 25, 2018
Orlando should get an XFL team. McMahon should put teams in markets without NFL teams - San Diego, San Antonio, St. Louis, Portland, etc. (Maybe Oakland?). and Orlando has shown it has a big football appetite. https://t.co/sfnlVCC4BZ
— Nicky Football (@ESPN580Nick) January 25, 2018
I know of a few stadiums that will be available in San Diego, Oakland and St. Louis. If I'm the XFL, I'm going to markets the NFL has left or ignored. https://t.co/OIV2YWWRxT
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 26, 2018
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