The XFL is set to kickoff this weekend, and the league is projected to take a major loss. A loss that is going to expand over the next few seasons. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio initially reported that Vince McMahon is expected to lose around $400 million by bringing back the football league.
Meltzer reports that McMahon is aware of the loss, but also noted that he has a plan to make it all back:
“Vince has earmarked $300 million and that’s going to get them through 2.5 seasons and he’ll put up more later,” said Dave Meltzer. “The way this whole thing is structured is Vince is probably going to lose about $375 million over the next 3 years on this league and he will and he knows and that’s what he’s going to do.”
“Then at the end of those 3 years, the idea is he’ll be able to get television deals that will total over $125 million a year which would cover his losses and then he’s okay. There’s a lot of factors involved in that and again, the ratings are one of them. If these stations feel that it’s valuable enough to pay that much, it’s not as long a shot as everyone thinks.”
Back in 2018, Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell noted that McMahon was prepared to spend as much as $500 million on the league:
“People were focused on the $100 million, but the truth is that doesn’t even get us to the 20-yard line,” league CEO and Commissioner Oliver Luck told ESPN. There are very few participants who underwrite for this market anymore and it is obviously costly.”
The XFL kicks off its 2020 season on Saturday, as the Seattle Dragons take on the DC Defenders. Nearly two decades after the conclusion of the XFL’s first season in 2001.
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