The XFL is now six weeks deep after re-debuting in February, but the numbers as they pertain to viewership and attendance are noticeably lower than those boasted by the 2020 version of the league.
Nevertheless, the owners have every intention of running it back as their view is a long-term one.
SAN ANTONIO, TX – FEBRUARY 19: Dwayne Johnson hugs Dany Garcia, co-owners of XFL before the start of the game between of the San Antonio Brahamas and of the St. Louis Battlehawks at the Alamodome on February 19, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his ex-wife Dany Garcia discussed the future of the XFL in a recent interview with USA Today Sports and revealed there are lots of things in store, including a scouting combine.
“This will come out later as far as what these dates are, but we have our showcases, we have our future combine, we are planning our dates,” Garcia told the publication.
“Absolutely, there will be a 2024 XFL football season.
When the XFL launched for the second time in 2020, it garnered over 1.8 million average viewers per game and sold around 18,000 seats over the first five weeks. The 2023 version has gone down 64 percent in viewership and 21 percent in attendance over the same period of time.
The Rock has pointed out that it isn’t really fair to compare the two iterations given that they are up against different odds. The last XFL did not have to compete with the NCAA Tournament as games were canceled, while they dealt with different broadcast partners.
“I think it’s really not apples-to-apples here,” Johnson noted. “However, we do keep a close eye on these things. And you have to.”
“That distribution is important,” Garcia added. “It’s one piece of a really elegant puzzle that includes what we’re doing digitally, who we’re reaching.”
Source: totalprosports.com
