Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

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Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by GregParks »

https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/how-the ... t-in-2023/

Of Mike's latest column, I thought the most interesting part was the acknowledgment that there IS something to the NFL logo we saw atop a notebook in one of Dany Garcia's Instagram photo of an upcoming XFL meeting she was having (the photo is featured in the article).

Some wrote it off as much ado about nothing, or not even really the NFL logo. According to Mitchell's sources, the XFL is interested in a working relationship with the NFL. He also writes, "Don't be surprised if the XFL has a business relationship with the NFL in the near future." He makes it sound like it's more than just one-way interest.

I guess if you're on the outside looking in, it's like "no, duh" that a fledgling secondary league would love to rub elbows in some way with the largest and most profitable sports league in the country. But a relationship between the two could take many different forms. Almost too many to reasonably speculate. But that's never stopped us before.

As for me, it may be a remnant of the original XFL fan in me, but I'd be happy with the two staying separate entities. However, if a connection with the NFL increases the XFL's chances for survival, I'd be all for it. I'd be happy with something as simple as some XFL games being broadcast on NFL Network, with studio shows and talking heads on the Network discussing XFL games. That would give the XFL some much-needed credibility and wouldn't require much effort on the NFL's part. For me, that'd be a good (and I think reasonable) start.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by johnnyangryfuzzball »

The only feasible way I see any relationship happening with the No Fun League is if it's akin to what MLB has with the Atlantic League. The Atlantic League stays independent, but they test some rules for MLB to try out. The XFL would actually be an excellent fit for that kind of partnership.

But PLEASE don't put the be-all and end-all of this league's existence on becoming a "developmental" league. Nobody wants to watch that.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by GregParks »

johnnyangryfuzzball wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 4:48 pm
But PLEASE don't put the be-all and end-all of this league's existence on becoming a "developmental" league. Nobody wants to watch that.
I guess it depends on what that would look like? There are many variations a "developmental" league for the NFL could take. I think the days of sending NFL players to "develop" in another league, such as with NFL Europe, are over (too much of an injury risk).

I mean, one could say the XFL is already a "developmental" league in that it is a league for young players w/o much NFL experience to "develop" and hope to catch on with an NFL team in the future, similar to the path Donald Parham took.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by MGB01 »

The NFL's gonna be in a spot from this St Louis lawsuit, to where they're probably going to have to expand but at the same time you'd be hard pressed to argue for more than the current 32. So, as a compromise, you'd probably end up with an eight (ten or whatever) team league that the NFL would have a "working relationship" with.

The best "independent league" example to use here would be the Continental League of the 60s, which spawned a good number of future Pro Bowlers/Pro Football Hall of Famers--as well as Dusty Rhodes, who played linebacker for the Hartford Charter Oaks in 1967. The best doesn't necessarily equal good here, since this was the same Continental League that was openly talking about signing O.J. Simpson much the same way the Chicago WFL team basically offered Joe Namath the entire franchise a few years later, so the key will be as always not to get to that point where you're desperately seeking a bailout bus.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by Tank55 »

GregParks wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 7:11 pm I guess it depends on what that would look like? There are many variations a "developmental" league for the NFL could take. I think the days of sending NFL players to "develop" in another league, such as with NFL Europe, are over (too much of an injury risk).

I mean, one could say the XFL is already a "developmental" league in that it is a league for young players w/o much NFL experience to "develop" and hope to catch on with an NFL team in the future, similar to the path Donald Parham took.
The distinction I always drew is whether winning is the primary goal of football operations side of the organization:

- Alabama develops talent for the NFL, but their primary goal is to win championships. Player development supports winning.

- The Durham Bulls win championships, but their primary goal is to develop talent for the Rays. Winning supports player development.

A perhaps even more straightforward example is the USL soccer teams that are independent vs. MLS-owned.

Obviously we care and think about this stuff way more than most, but I do think this difference shines through and most fans can "feel" the difference, even if they can't articulate it.

I think XFL 2.0 was pitch perfect here -- you can acknowledge the NFL and even your players' ambitions while still treating your own league with self-respect.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by 4th&long »

Tank55 wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 8:52 pm
GregParks wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 7:11 pm I guess it depends on what that would look like? There are many variations a "developmental" league for the NFL could take. I think the days of sending NFL players to "develop" in another league, such as with NFL Europe, are over (too much of an injury risk).

I mean, one could say the XFL is already a "developmental" league in that it is a league for young players w/o much NFL experience to "develop" and hope to catch on with an NFL team in the future, similar to the path Donald Parham took.
The distinction I always drew is whether winning is the primary goal of football operations side of the organization:

- Alabama develops talent for the NFL, but their primary goal is to win championships. Player development supports winning.

- The Durham Bulls win championships, but their primary goal is to develop talent for the Rays. Winning supports player development.

A perhaps even more straightforward example is the USL soccer teams that are independent vs. MLS-owned.

Obviously we care and think about this stuff way more than most, but I do think this difference shines through and most fans can "feel" the difference, even if they can't articulate it.

I think XFL 2.0 was pitch perfect here -- you can acknowledge the NFL and even your players' ambitions while still treating your own league with self-respect.
Agreed.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by GregParks »

Tank55 wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 8:52 pm

I think XFL 2.0 was pitch perfect here -- you can acknowledge the NFL and even your players' ambitions while still treating your own league with self-respect.
Fair enough. But again, feels like there are a lot of different directions this could conceivably go to satisfy all parties.

I guess the key take from Mike's column is the "business relationship" part, which sounds a lot less ominous than any kind of NFL takeover of the league or making it a full developmental brand. And could also make most of this conversation moot.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by 4th&long »

GregParks wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 10:18 pm
Tank55 wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 8:52 pm

I think XFL 2.0 was pitch perfect here -- you can acknowledge the NFL and even your players' ambitions while still treating your own league with self-respect.
Fair enough. But again, feels like there are a lot of different directions this could conceivably go to satisfy all parties.

I guess the key take from Mike's column is the "business relationship" part, which sounds a lot less ominous than any kind of NFL takeover of the league or making it a full developmental brand. And could also make most of this conversation moot.
Business relationship, could be games on NFLN, Dev relationship, Equity stake, anything. Its what AAF wanted.

I could see NFL using a relationship with XFL to blunt USFL and then dropping that relationship. XFL beware.

But at this point its wide open and they are just talking.
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by herns »

4th&long wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 11:04 pm
GregParks wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 10:18 pm
Tank55 wrote: Thu Nov 18, 2021 8:52 pm

I think XFL 2.0 was pitch perfect here -- you can acknowledge the NFL and even your players' ambitions while still treating your own league with self-respect.
Fair enough. But again, feels like there are a lot of different directions this could conceivably go to satisfy all parties.

I guess the key take from Mike's column is the "business relationship" part, which sounds a lot less ominous than any kind of NFL takeover of the league or making it a full developmental brand. And could also make most of this conversation moot.
Business relationship, could be games on NFLN, Dev relationship, Equity stake, anything. Its what AAF wanted.

I could see NFL using a relationship with XFL to blunt USFL and then dropping that relationship. XFL beware.

But at this point its wide open and they are just talking.
Ya who knowsthey want, I really don’t want NFL involvement though. I think if the nfls involved at best it kills the public perception if the league because it’ll be seen as an official minor league. I want more of what xfl 2020 was or what it sounds like the USFL is trying to be where it’s just it’s own thing kinda how the cfl is it’s own thing
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Re: Latest Mitchell column: Possible XFL & NFL relationship?

Post by laxtreme56 »

I don't think it's a bad idea to have the NFL involved. The NFL is the king of all sports leagues and makes insane amounts of money every year. If they were to pay the XFL, say $20 million a year to test out rules, develop referees and lower level practice squad players, and have a game of the week on NFL network, it's a win-win for everyone. I know people scoff at the minor league label, but at the end of the day, that's exactly what spring football is. There may be a reason Redbird hired all these NFL and network execs., the NFL has much more to gain by partnering with the XFL than with the CFL and their vastly different rule set.
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