Ad Disclosure
Dwayne Johnson and the XFL on Monday announced that it would collaborate with the NFL on select innovation programs to further expand the game of football and create increased opportunities for player development on and off the field.
Health and safety will be a principal area of focus in both learning and innovation, the leagues said in an announcement, with the XFL working with the NFL on forward thinking physical and mental fitness programs for players, the study of playing surfaces and equipment and the sharing of game trends and data.
“I am excited, I am motivated and man, this one is humbling,” Johnson said in a post on social media. “I am so honored to be able to share this very big announcement with you guys that the XFL is officially collaborating with the NFL, the National Football League. The whole idea of the XFL-NFL collaboration is to grow the game of football.”
Exciting time in football as our @XFL2023 will join forces with the @NFL to collaborate on innovation opportunities to expand & grow the game of football.
As an XFL owner, my #1 priority will always be the players.
☑️👇🏾https://t.co/thLLn4NI9o#XFL#NFL#InnovationAndOpportunity pic.twitter.com/rr0WPc3ua3— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 21, 2022
Johnson, along with business partner Dany Garia and RedBird Capital, bought the XFL for $15 million from World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon after the 8-team league played only 5 weeks of its planned 10-week schedule in 2020, folding in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the NFL in these important areas,” said Dany Garcia, Co-Owner and Chairwoman of the XFL. “We are bringing forward an XFL that is progressive and forward-thinking when it comes to innovation, leveraging the newest technology to enhance gameday experience. We have an open field for innovative rules to enhance in-game access. Sharing insights and practices between the XFL and NFL will do a tremendous amount of good for the game of football and support the player ecosystem overall.”
Additional avenues for collaboration may include international football development and scouting, as well as officiating, including the testing of different game rules for player protection and enhanced overall play, and of different technologies to enhance officiating.
“The XFL has shown us that innovation is one of its core principles. We are hopeful that this relationship will support further development and improvements in the game of football at all levels.” said Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
H/T AL.com.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
