Share This Article
- A news story reports that the XFL and CFL could host a jount title game to decide who are champions
- It follows on from the recent announcement that both leagues were in discussions to collaborate – with no clear indication of what this actually means
- The XFL was bought by a group including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2020
Could we see a Super Bowl-inspired game between the XFL and CFL?
A new story from Front Office Sports details that this could be on the cards as both leagues discuss a potential collaboration. As you’ll remember in March 2020, the XFL and CFL announced that they would “explore opportunities” for collaboration. Since then, there’s been little to no light on what this pretty loose statement could entail.
In a post detailing the news in March, Business Of Sport looked at some of the potential outcomes – read more about that here.
However, the first chink of light to emerge comes in the form of this story from Front Office Sports.
A source outlined to the publication that there could be a joint, Super Bowl-style final game between the two leagues. In essence, both the XFL and CFL would play their regular seasons, with the potential for “interleague” games during this period. However, once the respective champions of each league are crowned, there would then be one final, interleague game to crown the champion of champions.
In addition, discussions have also mentioned the potential for an “All-star game”, much like the NFL’s Pro Bowl. It also details that the overarching aim of this entire project is to merge.
There is precedent for this of course. The NFL as we know it today was borne out of a World Championship Game between the established NFL and upstart AFC. By 1966, a merger had been reached to integrated the AFC into the overall NFL.
XFL, CFL and … Mexican teams?
Another strand this compulsively intriguing story is a potential inclusion of American football teams in Mexico as well, detailed within the Toronto Sun. In fact, there is a league in Mexico called the Liga de Futbol Americano Profesional (LFA) and CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie has forged a relationship with LFA counterpart Alejandro Jaimes.
The Latest Business Of Sport Posts
- Why you should visit the College Football Hall Of Fame In Atlanta
- Home run! What it’s really like at a Boston Red Sox baseball game
- How the American Cornhole League is turning the sport pro
Jaimes is quoted as saying: “Randy says he is always thinking of Mexico. We told him that we are so close that it should be more probable that the XFL and CFL and LFA should make something. We have two strengths. We have the same football as the XFL, the same rules. And we are neighbours now.”
“We want to be in the conversation. The CFL has told us they are going to put us at the table, but I think it’s just beginning. I think we are in the formula.”
At Business Of Sport, the XFL is a topic we’ve explored in detail and if you’re looking to get up to speed on the history of the league check out the following posts as well.
Business Of Sport’s XFL post series:
- Why the original XFL failed in 2001
- How the second version, XFL 2.0, failed in 2020
- The Rock’s purchase of the XFL
- Could there be a merger between the XFL and CFL?
According to the Toronto Sun’s story the XFL and CFL talks are happening at regular intervals, so in the near-future it is likely that we’ll know what this collaboration looks like soon enough.
The CFL is due to kick off in 2021, while the XFL is slated to, provisionally, return in 2022.
One thing is for sure, with the star power of The Rock involved, get your popcorn ready – XFL, CFL merger or not.
