In 2021, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson teamed up with RedBird Capital and business partner Dany Garcia to buy the bankrupt XFL back after Vince McMahon folded the league when its 2020 season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They made an agreement with Disney to air games across channels such as ESPN, FX, and ABC. The inaugural relaunch season happened this year with the Arlington Renegades defeating the DC Defenders in the championship game.
In an article by Forbes, it was noted the league lost an estimated $60 million this year after paying $23.5 million for it. Next season, the league projects $100 million in revenue, with about a quarter of its income coming from ESPN, which pays the league $20 million per season.
Garcia noted that she remains optimistic for the future of the league and they have capital commitments in place for years one through four with sponsorship deals with national brands, including Progressive and Under Armor.
“We’re extremely well-capitalized for the long-term,” said Garcia, the XFL’s chair. “This is our new WWE. The next massive live property.”
