XFL 2022 season is on hold, possible collaboration with other football league

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson teamed up with RedBird Capital and business partner, Dany Garcia, to buy the bankrupt XFL back in August. 

After buying it for $15 million, which came just months after Vince McMahon folded, it was announced the league would relaunch in 2022. However, on Wednesday, the pro football league announced the season is on hold while having discussions with the CFL (Candian Football League).

The CFL had to cancel its 2020 season and plans to start its 2021 preseason in May and its regular season in June. On the flip side, the XFL had its 2020 season cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As it stands right now,  no one is using the word “merger,” but it certainly appears to be just that as the two leagues issued joint statements noting they believe they can help each other.

It should be noted that The Rock was briefly a CFL player after playing at the University of Miami. Ultimately, he thought his best move was to get into the pro wrestling business instead of moving forward with his football career after being cut by a CFL team. Thus, with him having a history with the CFL, it could be a natural fit.

An update on the 2022 Season: pic.twitter.com/AnTvrKZd24

— XFL (@XFL2022) March 10, 2021

Official now: the 2022 #XFL season, which was the targeted restart, is on hold.

A potential merger with the #CFL could be on the horizon. The CFL has tried American expansion in the past. Could this be the move that makes it work? https://t.co/Lu8BIeqJMV

— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) March 10, 2021