XFL Announces Broadcast Deal with ESPN, FOX Sports
The XFL’s 2020 season just got a big boost in interest thanks to its newly announced broadcast deal.
Per the league’s website, the XFL has secured multi-year deals with ESPN and Fox Sports to televise games on ABC, FOX, ESPN, ESPN2, FSN and FS2. The first week of games will air on February 8, 2020. The breakdown of the first season’s televised schedule was shared via XFL’s Twitter.
Football in February. Beautiful, isn't it?
— United Football League (@TheUFL) May 6, 2019
Our entire 10-week regular season & postseason can be viewed on @ABCNetwork, @espn, @FOXSports & @FS1. #XFL2020 pic.twitter.com/4AsmbtgEr7
In a statement, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming and Scheduling Burke Magnus said, “We look forward to showcasing the XFL on ESPN and ABC, including the kickoff game and championship during the league’s inaugural season. Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck are two of the sports industry’s most creative and experienced leaders, and they have exciting plans for this league. We believe in their vision for the XFL, which will be a great addition to our year-round commitment to football.”
FOX Sports CEO & Executive Producer Eric Shanks added, “We welcome the XFL to the FOX Sports Family and are pleased to expand our relationship with Vince McMahon. Football is in FOX Sports’ DNA and a key component of our programming strategy. Alongside Oliver Luck and his incredible team, we’re excited for the debut of the XFL on FOX Sports.”
The XFL made news late last month when XFL Founder & Chairman Vince McMahon sold 3.2 million shares of stock in the WWE to net him $272 million dollars to help fund the rebooted football league. This isn’t the first time McMahon has sold off WWE stock in order to fund the league. In December 2017, McMahon sold $100 million dollars worth of WWE stock to fund the early stages of the league.
In December 2018, the XFL announced the following eight new teams and their corresponding cities and stadiums:
New York – MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Dallas – Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas
Houston – TDECU Stadium in Houston, Texas
Los Angeles – Stubhub Center in Carson, Calif.
St. Louis – The Dome in St. Louis, Mo.
Seattle – Centurylink Field in Seattle, Wash.
Tampa Bay – Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
Washington, D.C. – Audi Field in Washington D.C.
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.
