New Kid on the Block: Should CFL fans care about the XFL?

 

 

There’s a new gridiron football league in town – the XFL. Run by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and promising less stopage, more hits and bigger excitement, the XFL touts itself as being “For the Love of Football”, but as CFL fans, should we be excited or dismissive? Let’s look at both sides of the coin…

It’s wrong, all wrong…

These are the first thoughts I had when watching a 5-minute explainer video of the XFL rules. Double forward pass? No kicking convert? And what’s with that weird overtime? For diehard fans of the CFL and NFL, the rules of the XFL seem very strange, which makes fans quick to dismiss this new league as a joke. Plus, the XFL will likely act as a second drain on US college football talent, which means more talent will be remaining in the States rather than heading North of the border to the CFL. Before, Canada was a place where US rookies and pros alike could go if there careers in America just weren’t working out. Now, this movement will be split between the CFL and XFL. This can be problematic for the future of Canadian football, with a possible rookie talent drain – a worrying prospect.

…but don’t be do hasty in forming your opinion.

Granted, the XFL has some strange rules, but a look at highlight videos of the first two games of the season show that it is delivering exciting football, as promised. Both games had stands packed full of roaring fans, all having a good time. It’s great fun, and if you can get past the rule changes the XFL looks to be just as exciting as any other North American football league. Additionally, the season falls at the perfect time for us Canadian football fans. The Grey Cup is a distant memory, the Super Bowl has just finished, and we need something to fill our football needs until the season starts in June. Sure, you don’t have to be a diehard fan of the XFL, but I know that the CFL offseason will be a lot more fun having another football league to follow on the side.

What are your thoughts about the XFL? Leave a reply in the comments or reach out to me on Twitter at @TheEndZone_Blog.