• Loading stock data...
Monday, January 20, 2025

The Rock Might Cook Up an XFL-CFL Title Game

  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s reborn XFL and could the CFL have their own Super Bowl.
  • The two leagues have been in negotiations to work together.
johnson_posing_in_front_of_cfl_xfl_logos
Dan MacMedan-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s reborn XFL and the Canadian Football League could be cooking up their own version of the Super Bowl.

The XFL and CFL have been in negotiations to “collaborate, innovate, and grow the game of football,” according to the two leagues. Among options on the table: a postseason clash between XFL and CFL champions.

Here’s how it could work, a source told Front Office Sports: Both leagues would play their regular seasons — there could be “interleague” games, similar to MLB — and once the respective XFL and CFL champions are crowned, they’d face off in an interleague championship game. 

There could also be an “All-Star Game” pitting players from both leagues. The long-term objective: the merger of the two pro football leagues.

The modern NFL was born after it agreed to play a “World Championship Game” against the upstart AFL. Joe Namath and the New York Jets’ win over the favored Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III spurred the 1970s merger into one league with two conferences.

Even with Johnson’s star power, the XFL brand seems snakebit. WWE mogul Vince McMahon’s XFL 2.0 called off its maiden season last year, becoming the first league to succumb to the pandemic. Johnson and partners Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital purchased the XFL out of bankruptcy for $15 million.  

During a non-pandemic year, the nine-team CFL generates revenue of $240 million vs. $12 billion for the NFL. TV audiences for the CFL’s 2019 Grey Cup championship rose 19% to 3.9 million viewers, but the league canceled its 2020 season due to COVID-19.

Both the XFL and CFL declined to comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Unrivaled’s Impeccable Timing Pressures WNBA to Give Players More

The league could “blow the lid off” the business of women’s sports.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard and running back Jeremiah Love celebrate a touchdown during the first half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame Found a Title-Worthy NIL Formula. Now It Has to Pivot

Its title run was buoyed by a collective that no longer exists.
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Dearica Hamby (5) of the Vinyl reaches for the ball as Azura Stevens (23) of the Rose follows on the play during the second half of the Unrivaled women’s professional 3v3 basketball league at Wayfair Arena.

Inside Unrivaled’s Explosive Opening Night

The 3-on-3 league went big for its season opener in Miami.
Baseball for All founder Justine Siegal walks in front of the over 400 young players participating in her league during the opening ceremony for an organization focused on giving girls an opportunity to play baseball, at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz. on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. Baseball For All 15 Mar 30, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins general manager Kim Ng walks on the field prior to the game against the New York Mets at loanDepot Park.

Can a Professional Women’s Baseball League Launch in Softball’s Shadow?

The biggest hurdle to the WPBL’s success may be its closest kindred.

Featured Today

Showboats’ Daewood Davis (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the UFL game between the San Antonio Brahmas and Memphis Showboats in Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium in Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

The UFL Is Primed for Success—If It Can Resist Its Impulse for..

The spring football league must buck temptation if it wants to succeed.
Race leader and eventual stage winner Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometer up the finish climb of stage 19 from Logroño to Alto De Moncalvillo (ESP/168km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 6 September. // Kristof Ramon / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202409060905 // Usage for editorial use only //Primož ROGLIČ (SVN/RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe) congratulated by teammate Florian LIPOWITZ (DEU/RedBull - BORA - hansgrohe) after a very strong stage 13 from Lugo to Puerto De Ancares (ESP/171km) of the 79th La Vuelta Ciclista a España 2024 on 30 August
January 13, 2025

Red Bull Is on a Hot Streak in Sports. Can It Win..

The company is betting on a big future in cycling.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) knocks the ball out of the hands of Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) and returns the fumble for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Cotton Bowl Classic during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January, 10, 2025.
January 11, 2025

College Football Is Closer Than Ever to Perfecting the Championship Process

Despite valid criticisms, the first expanded Playoff is working.
Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman (R) reacts on the sidelines in the final minute against the Georgia Bulldogs during the fourth quarter at Caesars Superdome.
January 9, 2025

Amid Realignment Mania, Notre Dame Stayed Independent. It Paid Off

How the CFP semifinal-bound Fighting Irish made their business model work.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.