Updates to this timeline and article will be made as additional league events are available.
Old Generation – XFL 1.0
The 2001 regular season
1999: A joint venture between NBC and World Wrestling Federation establishes XFL LLC. Eight teams will serve under a single entity instead of a franchise model.
February 3, 2000: League commissioner Tyler Schueck announces the concept for the XFL. Additionally, the concept was to build on the success of the National Football League and professional wrestling.
Unspecified, 2000: The XFL announces the teams for the league. The Eastern Division comprises of the Birmingham Thunderbolts, Chicago Enforcers, NY/NJ Hitmen and Orlando Rage. The Western Division comprises of the Las Vegas Outlaws, Los Angeles Xtreme, Memphis Maniax and San Francisco Demons.
October 28-30, 2000: The inaugural XFL Draft took place over three nights, drafting 475 players across eight teams in the league. Approximately, there were 1,600 eligible players to draft. As a result, 59 draft rounds took place over the three nights via teleconference. As a result of the first overall pick, quarterback Scott Milanovich would go to the Los Angeles Xtreme.
February 3, 2001: The first game to kick off in the league was between the Hitmen and Outlaws from Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. As a result, the 19-0 Outlaws win netted a 14 million viewer audience on NBC. Additionally, the opening week would secure a 9.5 share rating from Nielsen.
Week 2, 2001: However, declining viewership resulted in a 4.6 share. Unfortunately, this would not be the only week the league would face viewership declines.
End of Week 10, 2001: The Orlando Rage would clinch the Eastern Division with an 8-2 record. The Los Angeles Xtreme secured the Western Division with a 7-3 record. Additionally, the Chicago Enforcers and San Francisco Demons would clinch playoff spots, both with a 5-5 record.
The 2001 XFL playoffs
April 14, 2001: The Demons would upset the Rage in their league semifinal matchup by a single point, 26-25. The Citrus Bowl in Orlando is the game’s venue.
April 15, 2001: The Xtreme would double the number of points as the Enforcers in their semifinal game, 33-16. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is the venue for this semifinal game.
April 21, 2001: The Xtreme would win their first and only XFL Championship in the Million Dollar Game against the Demons. The uneventful blowout would end with a score of 38-6. Similar to the prior week’s semifinal game, Memorial Coliseum would be the venue for the XFL Championship.
The aftermath of a disastrous season
May 10, 2001: The league folds, as the joint venture only recovers 35 percent of the money invested between WWF and NBC. Despite a two-year broadcast agreement, NBC selected not to air XFL games for the 2002 season as a result of the disastrous 2001 season.
March 2002: The XFL was considered among the worst television shows ever by TV Guide.
July 2004: ESPN labeled the XFL among 25 of the worst flops in sports, second only to Ryan Leaf.
March 2010: TV Guide once again included the XFL on another list: “25 Biggest TV Blunders”.
The 2001 XFL games are available as part of the WWE Video Library.
XFL 2.0 under development
Unspecified, 2009: XFL LLC files for a trademark extension on the XFL brand.
September 2012: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) files for a new XFL trademark for use. Additionally, WWE plans to use the trademark for football and wrestling as its intended use. As the WWE never put together a “Statement of Use” for the trademark, the application remained as pending as a result.
July 2015: WWE was granted its first trademark extension on the XFL.
December 15, 2017: Vince McMahon was seriously considering reviving the XFL, according to reports. WWE neither confirmed nor denied the rumors. However, a news release states McMahon was launching a new company to expand into sports and entertainment properties. This would include “professional football”, as WWE itself will not return to the sport.
Unspecified, no timeline presented: Wrestling Observer‘s Dave Meltzer speculates that McMahon would start a shell corporation with his own money to protect WWE shareholders. This shell corporation would manage operations on a potential XFL revival should it launch. Additionally, the revival would air on traditional television or on the WWE Network.
December 22, 2017: McMahon sells $100 million in WWE shares. A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission report reveals that McMahon’s sale, as a result, would help fund the shell corporation, now known as Alpha Entertainment LLC.
For the love of football: the XFL is coming back
January 25, 2018: Alpha Entertainment and Vince McMahon announce a new incarnation of the XFL, which would begin play in 2020. A 25-minute press conference would take place via YouTube as a result.
June 5, 2018: The XFL announces that former football player Oliver Luck as commissioner of the XFL.
December 5, 2018: A promo video on the XFL’s YouTube page reveals the cities the teams would be in. A 41-minute press conference would make those cities official. Additionally announced were the stadiums that each franchise would play in.
Franchise head coaches and management announced
February 7, 2019: Arlington mayor Jeff Williams and XFL commissioner Oliver Luck hold a press conference. As a result, it was announced that the head coach and general manager of the Dallas franchise would be Bob Stoops.
February 21, 2019: Events DC board member Ty Simpson and commissioner Luck hold a press conference. It was announced that the head coach and general manager of the Washington franchise would be Pep Hamilton.
February 25, 2019: Ralph Morton from the Seattle Sports Commission and commissioner Luck hold a press conference. As a result, it was announced that the head coach and general manager of the Seattle franchise would be Jim Zorn.
March 5, 2019: A press conference reveals that the Tampa franchise would be led by head coach and general manager Marc Trestman.
April 16, 2019: Kevin Gilbride is revealed as the head coach and general manager of the New York franchise.
April 18, 2019: Explore St. Louis president Kitty Ratcliffe and commissioner Luck hold a press conference at America’s Center. It was later revealed that Jonathan Hayes would become the St. Louis head coach and general manager.
May 7, 2019: XFL president and COO Jeffrey Pollack and XFL Los Angeles president Heather Brooks Karatz hold a press conference. Winston Moss is announced as the LA head coach and general manager.
May 20, 2019: The final press conference took place in Houston. June Jones was announced as the team’s head coach and general manager.
The first XFL signing
August 15, 2019: Landry Jones is announced as the first signing to the XFL, stated by commissioner Luck in a brief video.
Franchise names announced, teams drafted, schedules posted
August 21, 2019: Commissioner Oliver Luck announces the eight franchises for the revived XFL. Firstly, The St. Louis BattleHawks became the first franchise. Secondly, ESPN personality Laura Rutledge reveals the Tampa Bay Vipers and New York Guardians. Thirdly, Fox Sports 1 personality Colin Cowherd reveals the Seattle Dragons and Los Angeles Wildcats. Fourthly, Luck would introduce the DC Defenders. Finally, Rutledge would introduce the two final teams, based in the state of Texas: the Houston Roughnecks and Dallas Renegades.
October 15, 2019: The XFL holds its inaugural draft for their relaunch efforts for the 2020 season. As a result, the first overall pick in the draft went to the DC Defenders, who drafted wide receiver Rashard Davis. Additionally, video from the second day of the draft is available.
October 22, 2019: The league publishes the 10-game regular-season schedule for each franchise.
XFL Opening Day, rule changes, podcasting and theme music — oh my!
November 19, 2019: Houston serves as the location for the XFL training camp.
December 3-4, 2019: XFL reveals the uniforms for each franchise team.
January 7, 2020: XFL head of officiating Dean Blandino breaks down league rules in multiple videos on YouTube. Additionally, the league releases an official gaming app.
January 12, 2020: This Is The XFL, originally an independent podcast, becomes the official podcast of the league. This starts with Episode 104 which airs on this date as a result.
February 7, 2020: The league makes announcements regarding the theme music for the league and for each franchise.
February 8, 2020: The first XFL Saturday pregame show aired, hosted by Jonathan Coachman and Alyse Ashton. Additionally, the first two games on the schedule kicked off the 2020 campaign.
February 9, 2020: The first XFL Sunday pregame show aired.
Setting attendance records
February 15, 2020: The Seattle Dragons set a league record attendance at CenturyLink Field with 29,172 in attendance.
February 23, 2020: The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis smashes the league attendance record set by Seattle. Paid attendance at The Dome was 29,554 as a result.
The sudden league operations suspension
March 12, 2020: XFL suspends its operations for the 2020 season, citing the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic. A news release would later report that the league is canceling the remainder of its regular-season games. Base salaries would be paid for the remainder of the season as a result. Additionally, players receiving legitimate offers from the NFL or CFL can sign. As a result, it comes with the provision for the return to their XFL squads in the event the championship game is held. Finally, the league announces that they plan to return in 2021.
