The XFL is a new professional football league that will start their first official season in 2020 as a more fast-paced, excited, less-political alternative to the NFL.

The controversial football league was originally founded by Vince McMahon in 1999, in partnership with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and NBC, but only lasted 1 season.

Here are some highlights from the only season of the original XFL back in 2001;

McMahon, who rushed the first XFL season into existence without even a full slate of offseason practices, said he’s learned his lesson from one of professional football’s biggest initial flops. He’s now hoping the 2+ years of anticipation and preparation for the new 2020 season will result in far more momentum.

“The new XFL is an exciting opportunity to reimagine America’s favorite sport,” said McMahon in a statement. “As we move towards kickoff, we look forward to listening and implementing innovative ideas from players, coaches, medical experts, technology executives, the media and most importantly football fans.”

There will still be 4 east coast and 4 west coast teams, but they will be built from the ground up with new names and new homes.

“We intend to start conservatively with eight teams,” McMahon said in announcing the XFL relaunch, while also noting that “we’re way away from announcing cities.”

Since McMahon’s relaunch announcement earlier this year, there’s been tons of speculation and rumors about where the new teams might be located.

Currently, the most talked about XFL host cities are Houston, St. Louis, San Antonio, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Orlando, Charlotte, Queens/NYC, Virginia Beach and Memphis.

While Charlotte does already have an NFL team, many feel that fan loyalty has weakened after the team was sold amid sexual misconduct allegations by founder Jerry Richardson. This, combined with our growing population and die-hard college football fan base, makes the Queen City a solid contender.

A few months ago, the heads of the XFL all flew to Charlotte to form a new league committee and to tour our city;

Yesterday we told you about the committee that @OliverLuckXFL formed to help reimagine the game of football. Now hear from the #XFL Commissioner himself on his vision for the committee, which held meetings in Charlotte last week. pic.twitter.com/3OXERZbODG — XFL (@xfl2020) July 31, 2018

One of the most legendary players in XFL history, Rod ‘HeHateMe’ Smart, joined the Panthers after his 2001 XFL season and has now become somewhat of a hometown hero;

Charlotte was home to the most famous player in #XFL history @HeHateMe when he played for the @panthers. Let's get that feeling back by bringing the XFL to Charlotte #XFL2CLT. #XFL2020 pic.twitter.com/3QnvvhmDDq — XFL Charlotte (@XFL_Charlotte) January 27, 2018

Randomly see Charlotte on ESPN. It’s about the XFL. Sounds about right. pic.twitter.com/aJ9DrPxf5l — Tim Cheadle (@timcheadle) January 31, 2017

True story: Once saw #XFL legend "He Hate Me" at a bar in Charlotte when he was playing for the #Panthers. #ESPN30for30 #RodSmart — Tim Hayes (@Hayes_BHCSports) February 3, 2017

There’s also a rumor swirling around that Steve Smith might join the league and help promote a possible Charlotte XFL Team;

Rumor has it that @89SteveSmith will be a part of the @XFL_Charlotte . I'm so glad they filled their soda vendor position this early in the game!#XFL #Panthers #NFL #DrPepper — Sport Rumorz (@SRumorz) February 12, 2018

What might a possible name be if XFL did come to Charlotte?

One idea put be a ‘United Carolinas’ team named the “Carolina Maulers”;

Another idea would be a more Charlotte-focused idea – to bring back the Bobcats;

Bring back the Charlotte Bobcats as an XFL team — Lucas (@NotMikeTolbert) January 26, 2018

The XFL commissioner is expected to release the names of the host cities before the end of the year;

Commissioner @OliverLuckXFL joined @OfficialAJHawk’s podcast recently and said that the league will announce the venues for its eight inaugural cities in the "near future." 🏈🏟 pic.twitter.com/mkVcboeH4X — XFL (@xfl2020) September 20, 2018

What do you think about the return of the XFL?

Do you think they should start a team in Charlotte?

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