XFL returns: 'Professional football re-imagined'

A.J. Perez | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Vince McMahon is reviving the XFL Vince McMahon, owner of the WWE, announced the XFL will return in 2020.

World Wrestling Entertainment founder Vince McMahon on Thursday announced the return of the XFL in 2020.

Like the first rendition of the XFL, the league will consist of eight teams that will play games with a two-round playoff. McMahon said the location of the teams, the team names or the precise format of games has not been determined.

"We will present a shorter, faster-paced, family friendly and easier to understand game," McMahon said in a news conference. "Don't get me wrong, it's still football, but it's professional football re-imagined."

McMahon said that the XFL will place teams "where fans want us to go" and added that league was "nowhere near" selecting any of the cities what will be home to franchises. Each franchise will be owned by the league.

The rules in the original XFL didn't include the ability to call a fair catch, leading to massive hits (and injuries). This time around, McMahon said player safety will be a priority.

McMahon didn't come right out and guarantee that players would be required to stand for the national anthem, but said the rules will be made public and players will know the XFL's rules if a mandate to stand during the anthem is included.

"I think, it's a time-honored tradition to stand and appreciate the national anthem for any sport here in America, for that matter in any country," McMahon said. "I think it would be appropriate to do that."

McMahon was given the names of three quarterbacks not currently on NFL rosters and asked if he'd like to see them be part of the XFL: Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick.

"We want someone who does not have any criminality associated with them whatsoever. In the XFL, even if you have a DUI, you will not play in the XFL," McMahon said. "If Tim Tebow wants to play, he could very well play."

None of the players listed were arrested for driving under the influence and only one (Manziel) has a known criminal history. Manziel reached an agreement with prosecutors in Texas in 2016 on a misdemeanor domestic assault case. He also pleaded guilty in 2013 in an assault case that stemmed from a bar fight while he was a quarterback at Texas A&M.

There wasn't a TV partner announced, although McMahon said games will be available on multiple platforms. WWE announcers will not be used to announce XFL games, McMahon added.

"We intend to have a much faster game," McMahon said. "We are going to try to get to two hours. That's our goal."

The original XFL, a joint venture between WWE and NBC, lasted for one season. That came in 2001, when NBC didn’t have NFL broadcast rights. The network acquired those rights as it became the new home of Sunday Night Football starting in the 2006 season.

Like other leagues that have attempted to create an alternative to the NFL, the XFL struggled. The venture lost an estimated $70 million as both ratings and attendance failed to meet expectations. NBC and UPN refused to carry the games in 2002, which led the XFL to shutter operations.

There were eight teams in the original XFL: San Francisco Demons, NY/NJ Hitmen, Orlando Rage, Los Angeles Xtreme, Las Vegas Outlaws, Memphis Maniax, Birmingham Thunderbolts and the Chicago Enforcers. The 10-game regular season and two-round playoffs — that culminated with the Million Dollar Game at the Los Angeles Coliseum — ran from February to April. The Xtreme won the title.

Follow Perez on Twitter @byajperez