Competition is a good thing. But the XFL, the football league to begin play in February 2001, is far from competition for the NFL. It is something more along the lines of a twisted spin-off.
I will give the league a chance before I pass final judgment, but my initial impression of the World Wrestling Federation-sponsored league is that it is not something that can be taken seriously. The image it seems to portray suggests that it resembles professional wrestling more than an actual sport.
These are the proposed rules of the XFL, according to xflfootball.com, a fan-produced web site:
·No fair catches on punts.
·Making punts live balls (although it has not been decided yet how long the ball will have to travel first).
·Only one foot required in bounds on pass receptions.
·A 35-second play clock. (In the NFL, “time between plays will be 40 seconds from the end of a given play until the snap of the ball for the next play, or a 25-second interval after certain administrative stoppages and game delays.”)
·A halftime of 10 minutes. (In the NFL, “halftime is 12 minutes, unless otherwise specified.”)
·Cameras to be placed in locker rooms, sidelines and in helmets of selected players.
·Players, coaches locker rooms and huddles will be miked.
·Players will be paid salaries but also will receive bonuses each week if their team wins.
I will make this prediction right now: there is going to be a death on the field during one of these games. Either that or the whole thing will have to be staged, just like wrestling.
The integrity of the game is brought into question by this league. Who is going to act as they normally would, knowing that there are cameras everywhere? It will make for some interesting television to hear a coach reaming his team at halftime. But really, it is just a continuance of this American obsession with having cameras and microphones everywhere possible. I just think that the novelty of that will wear off pretty quickly.
More than that, though, the way it is being marketed and the whole idea behind the league is what really bothers me. One example is two cartoons posted on xflfootball.com.
The first one depicts a mangled kicker with the words, “Not only is roughin’ the kicker allowed, it’s encouraged!” The second one features the statement “If the ref doesn’t see it, it didn’t happen.” While the referee makes small talk with one player, a second player bashes another over the head with a chair, a common stunt in wrestling matches.
Of course these are only cartoons, which (hopefully) exaggerate the truth. But it more accurately reflects the mentality of the people targeted as the fan base for the league.
The XFL is partially owned by NBC. Obviously NBC is attempting to compensate for the loss of NFL games and attract at least some of that same audience. NBC is scheduled to show XFL football during prime time on Saturday nights. There is also a deal for the Paramount Network (UPN) to provide coverage on Sundays.
The team names are another example of the mindset of the league’s creators, such as WWF’s Vince McMahon. Names like the NY/NJ Hitmen, the Orlando Rage and Memphis Maniax portray the wrong kind of image, in my mind.
The league has the potential to challenge the NFL, despite not actually being in competition. Maybe the XFL will provide a relief for the uptight NFL. Maybe it will give fans exactly what they want. After all, professional wrestling has a huge fan base. The XFL may just provide an exciting alternative for football fans who desire to see football all year.
One thing is for sure: it cannot be worse than Arena League football. I have no doubt the XFL will draw the public’s attention, at least initially. And I will be among those intrigued by the idea of something resembling the video game NFL Blitz. But I cannot see it as a legitimate sport. I will admit, though, I am biased. I hate wrestling. The WWF’s affiliation with the league tarnishes its image in my mind. In the end, I doubt it will last.
Brice Nixon, a junior journalism major, is editor in chief of the Campus Times. He can be reached by e-mail at nixonb@ulv.edu.
