The XFL, which is set to kick off in less than a year, will have ESPN and ABC as an exclusive TV partner to air its games.
The professional football league, which is planning to kick off a return season on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, will continue through the spring with 40 regular-season matchups, two semifinal playoff games and the championship, ESPN announced.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who is part of the ownership group, added, “This is a definitive moment for the XFL and the beginning of an incredible, long-term partnership for the league, building on my longstanding, very successful legacy relationship I’ve had with Disney throughout my career. We’re excited to be working with global visionaries that are aligned with the XFL’s values, are true team players and share our ambitious goals to grow the XFL as a global sports and entertainment business. Through the combined power of Disney and the XFL, together we will create a new powerhouse on the sports calendar and bring a dynamic game of football to fans everywhere. Time to ball out.”
The @WaltDisneyCo, ESPN & @XFL2023 reach an exclusive multi-year agreement
All #XFL2023 games to be carried across @ABCNetwork, ESPN platforms & @FXNetworks
More: https://t.co/8Ob1mwYujd | #DisneyUpfront22 | @TheRock pic.twitter.com/YJ32Fo3wXX
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) May 17, 2022
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
