Vince McMahon restarting XFL in 2020 - his marketing aim is pretty clear

[underpants]

Features of Returning XFL
• 8 teams to start

• 40 man rosters

• 10-game season beginning in January

• Two-hour game-time goal

• Any player with a criminal record precluded from playing

• Players won't receive forum to take personal stance on social issues on playing field

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22213241/vince-mcmahon-gimmick-free-xfl-return-2020

"People don't want social and political issues coming into play when they are trying to be entertained," McMahon said. "We want someone who wants to take a knee to do their version of that on their personal time."

Despite his relationship with President Trump, McMahon told reporters he had "no idea whether President Trump will support this."

"We are evaluating a player based on many things, including the quality of human being they are," McMahon said. If you have any sort of criminal record or commit a crime you aren't playing in this league."

[Wounded Bear]

1. Yeah, sounds like the Trumplodytes will be thrilled...

Didn't work last time, I don't see it lasting this time. I suppose they could get some billionaire backing like RW radio, but I don't see a wide market for it.

[Initech]

2. Yeah Vince sure knows a thing or two about character.

[underpants]

6. I'm pretty sure Trump got his rally playbook/script from Vince

They were basically wrestling events.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. They're Going To Begin Their Season During The NFL Playoffs?

That seem like a shrewd marketing idea to anybody? Week 3 or 4 is the day of the Superbowl? Why wouldn't they just wait to start the week after the SB? It's only a few weeks.

[TeamPooka]

5. Because they're stupid.

[underpants]

7. Spring time football.

Football is now a year round sport. For kids they do all kinds of 7-on-7 camps. For broadcast it's still on every week. After the season they got to the combine then the draft then unofficial workouts then training camp.

The timing isn't a bad move considering fans will be in full fledged football mania.

[Willie Pep]

4. So pandering to conservatives is their marketing gimmick?

The funny thing is the original XFL was marketed as very edgy, in-your-face football. This seems like the opposite with the family-friendly angle and the ban on controversial statements and players with criminal records.

[MineralMan]

8. Guaranteed to be a failure.

NFL season is already too damned long. It will fail. Basketball is going on, and Spring Training starts in February. Football is over for the year.

[underpants]

10. See post #7

Football is a year round sport now.

[Johonny]

13. It already failed once

To field a high level football program costs $$$. XFL was mid-level college football without the sound organizational skills.

[Blue_Tires]

9. Wow... Vince of 2001 would have been encouraging the protests

and outspoken athletes... He's losing his touch

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

11. "If God wanted footabll in the spring he wouldn't have invented baseball"

That's what Trump said. I loved the USFL-he killed it because he was an ass hole. Always has been-always will be.

[Nevernose]

12. Its not a terrible business idea.

Get the off-season fans.
Conservatives are pissed at people kneeling.
Football viewing is down, but sports ratings in general are in a huge boom and expansion.
Non football pro teams are expanding all over the country, and include non traditionally American sports like soccer and UFC. Even boxing viewership is up.
2020 will be a year to attract Chargers and Raiders fans, pissed off about the moves.
That’s at least two stadiums to fill. Plenty more in off seasons.
Trump won’t be able to fuck it up, but will inevitably promote it to the kind of people that would watch XFL games... For free.
Going into the cheerleaders locker rooms at halftime instead of the team’s? Fucking brilliant. Tasteless, true, but ingenious.

[Drahthaardogs]

14. Oooooo maybe Trump can shave his head on opening day

Like the old days.

[genxlib]

15. Ironically

The best player available that does not currently have a job is probably Colin Kaepernick