The joint announcements came days before the start of CFL training camps. Johnson played football at the University of Miami and the former defensive lineman spent time on the Calgary Stampeders’ practice roster in 1995 before being released and ultimately joining the pro wrestling ranks. That led to actor/former wrestler Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, business partner Dany Garcia and Redbird Capital purchasing the XFL for US$15 million. The league cancelled its 2020 campaign after five weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was put into bankruptcy proceedings by former owner Vince McMahon. But today and for the foreseeable future, it’s all CFL all the time.”įollowing the end of negotiations, the XFL revealed its plans to return in 2023, not 2022 as was previously announced.
“But because the relationship was positive, the door was left open for the possibility that we talk again down the road. “We both decided and agreed that we would go back to our respective businesses and focus on our own leagues, for now,” Ambrosie said. In March, the CFL and XFL began serious talks about a potential partnership and how they could collaborate to grow football. Last month, the two leagues announced separately that negotiations had ended. The focus remains on the 2021 season but CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie hasn’t closed the door on partnership talks with the XFL.
