2024 XFL season: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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In September 2023, ''[[Axios (website)|Axios]]'' reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the [[United States Football League (2022)|USFL]] to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons.<ref name="axios.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-merger|title=Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks|last1=Baysinger|first1=Tim|last2=Primack|first2=Dan|last3=Fischer|first3=Sara|website=Axios|date=September 19, 2023|access-date=September 19, 2023|language=en}}</ref> On September 28, 2023, the USFL and XFL announced their intent to merge.<ref name="TSN ca Staff">{{Cite web |author=TSN ca Staff |date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nfl/xfl-united-states-football-league-announce-intention-to-merge-1.2013718 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=TSN |language=en-CA}}</ref> In a separate statement, XFL President [[Russ Brandon]] indicated that league operations would continue unaffected until the deal closes and regulators approve the merger, and that all contracts with the league would be honored.<ref>Larsen, James (September 28, 2023). [https://twitter.com/JamesLarsenPFN/status/1707481578815762505 Update: A statement from @XFL2023 President & CEO Russ Brandon]. ''Pro Football Newsroom''. Retrieved September 28, 2023.</ref> On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her [[Instagram]] page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "[[2024 USFL season|combined season]]" to begin March 30, 2024.<ref name="GarciaMerger">{{Cite web|title=We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks.|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Rxyhvx3ug/|website=Instagram |language=en-US}}</ref>
The merger was formally announced on ''[[Fox NFL Sunday]]'' on December 31, 2023,<ref name="mergerannounced">{{cite webnews |last=Russell |first=Jake |date=December 31, 2023 |title=XFL, USFL announce merger to form the United Football League |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/12/31/xfl-usfl-merger-ufl/ |access-date=December 31, 2023 |websitenewspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-us}}</ref> with both leagues cancelling their planned season while surviving teams will play the [[2024 UFL season|2024 season]] in the newly formed [[United Football League (2024)|United Football League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=United Football League Set to Launch as the Premier Spring Football League|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/united-football-league-set-to-launch-as-the-premier-spring-football-league/n-6043754|website=OurSports Central |date=31 December 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Offseason==
The [[2023 Arlington Renegades season|Arlington Renegades]] defeated the [[2023 DC Defenders season|DC Defenders]] in the [[2023 XFL Championship Game]] to become the first league champions in this iteration of the XFL (after the [[2020 XFL season]] was cut short due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 pandemic]]).
The league lost nearly $60 million during the season after spending approximately $140 million in expenses over the course of the 2023 season and earned $80 million in gross revenue, including roughly $20 million that came from its broadcast contract with [[ESPN]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jabariyoung/2023/06/10/dwayne-johnson-says-xfl-succeed-nfl-usfl-dany-garcia/|title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Says The XFL Will Succeed. Who Wants To Tell Him He's Wrong?|website=forbes.com|author=Young, Jabari|date=June 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/report-xfl-loses-nearly-60-022258619.html|title=Report: XFL Loses Nearly $60 Million This Season|website=yahoo.com|date=12 June 2023 }}</ref> Executives with the league and ESPN indicated that they considered the season a success.<ref name=stlouisshowcase/><ref>{{Cite webnews|title=XFL title game TV viewership sluggish, but ESPN says season met expectations|work=The New York Times |url=https://theathletic.com/4525161/2023/05/16/xfl-espn-championship-tv-ratings/|website=theathletic.com|language=en-US |last1=Shea |first1=Bill }}</ref> After the season ended, the XFL made league wide cuts affecting up to 30 people, including two marketing executives, and shifted other employees to seasonal work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Exclusive: Major Changes in XFL As League Makes Widespread Cuts|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/exclusive-major-changes-in-xfl-as-league-makes-widespread-cuts/|website=xflnewshub.com|date=30 May 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keeley |first=Sean |date=2023-06-15 |title=The Rock refutes Andrew Marchand's report on ESPN's XFL rights fees |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/xfl/rock-refutes-andrew-marchand-rights-fees-espn.html |access-date=2023-06-16 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref> According to several reports, the XFL marketing budget was only $120,000 for the 2023 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inside The XFL's Financial Struggles In Season One|url=https://xflnewsroom.com/column/inside-the-xfl-financial-struggles-in-season-one/|website=xflnewsroom.com|date=16 June 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
More than 200 players who played in the 2023 XFL season earned invitations to workout for NFL teams, while 63 of them signed contracts. One player ([[Daniel Whelan]]) started the [[2023 NFL season]] on an active 53-man NFL roster, while 17 other players started the season on [[practice squad]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/daniel-whelan-named-to-green-bay-packers-53-man-roster|title=Daniel Whelan Named to Green Bay Packers 53-man Roster|website=XFL.com|access-date=2023-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/nfl-cut-down-day-which-xfl-players-made-the-cut-how-many-did-not/?expand_article=1|title=NFL Cut Down Day, Which XFL Players Made The Cut, How Many Did Not|website=xflnewshub.com|date=29 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=XFL to NFL: Just the beginning|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-to-nfl-just-the-beginning|work=XFL}}</ref>
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===Merger with the USFL===
On September 19, 2023, ''[[Axios (website)|Axios]]'' reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the [[United States Football League (2022)|USFL]] to create a "merger of equals" between the two leagues before the XFL 2024 season kicks off in February, with an agreement potentially announced by the end of the month.<ref name="axios.com"/> The USFL registered a trademark for "National Spring Football League," the name of the USFL's parent company but speculated to also be a name for the potential merged league, that was made public September 27.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosvoglou |first=Chris |date=2023-09-27 |title=USFL Appears To Take Next Step Towards Merger With XFL |url=https://thespun.com/more/top-stories/usfl-appears-to-take-next-step-towards-merger-with-xfl |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=The Spun: What's Trending In The Sports World Today |language=en}}</ref> On September 28, the USFL and XFL announced their intent to merge with the specific details of the merger to be announced at a later date.<ref name="TSN ca Staff"/> The merger would also require regulatory approval.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schad |first=Tom|date=2023-09-28 |title=XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/xfl/2023/09/19/xfl-usfl-discussing-merger/70899491007/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=USA Today |language=en}}</ref> In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League,"<ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL'|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/xfl-files-trademark-applications-united-football-18433404.php|website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en-US}}</ref> a name that founder [[Vince McMahon]] had previously registered in 2017 several years following the suspension of a [[United Football League (2009–2012)|previous league by that name]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadspin.com/timing-of-trademarks-suggests-new-xfl-may-be-a-respon-1821393884|title=Timing Of Trademarks Suggests "New XFL" May Be A Response To NFL Protests|first=David|last=Bixenspan|work=Deadspin.com|date=December 19, 2017|access-date=February 1, 2020}}</ref> On November 30, 2023, the league chairwoman [[Dany Garcia]] announced via her [[Instagram]] page that they completed the [[Competition law|antitrust]] review process to approve the leagues' merger, and the new league will begin its season on March 30, 2024.<ref name="GarciaMerger" /> An end-of-year memo from league vice president [[Doug Whaley]] indicated that the league would again be based at a hub in [[Arlington, Texas]] and that training camps would begin on February 23, 2024.<ref>Larsen, James (December 29, 2023). [https://twitter.com/JamesLarsenPFN/status/1740907817148829742 #XFL players received an email (retrieved by] [[United Football Players Association|@UnitedFBPlayers]]) with some information regarding their contracts, and info about the merged league. Training camp date confirmed for February 23rd. #USFL #UFL ''Pro Football Newsroom'' via [[Twitter|X]]. Retrieved December 30, 2023.</ref> On December 31, The merger was formally announced and the name of the combined league was confirmed as the United Football League, with each component league surviving as a conference within the UFL.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches|url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches|website=ESPN |date=January 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Teams==
In a press gathering at the league's showcase in St. Louis, league president Russ Brandon confirmed that the league would remain at eight teams for the 2024 season.<ref name=stlouisshowcase>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Mark |date=2023-07-09 |title=XFL's Russ Brandon Talks League Expansion, Playoff Revamp, and Shattering the Spring League Curse |url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfls-russ-brandon-talks-league-expansion-playoff-revamp-and-shattering-the-spring-league-curse/ |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=xflnewshub.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Will the XFL return in 2024? What to know about spring football league's future, potential changes next season|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-return-2024-football-future-changes/i6wbxxxrwgs5dan7qyom9sm3|website=[[Sporting News]]|date=13 May 2023 }}</ref> The league acknowledged on July 25, 2023, that renovations could render the [[Houston Roughnecks (2020)|Houston Roughnecks]]' home stadium in 2020 and 2023, [[TDECU Stadium]], not available for the 2024 season but that the league would seek another stadium in Houston if that is the case and ruled out relocating the team out of the city.<ref>https://twitter.com/XFL_PR/status/1683862174022742017</ref> Following the merger, the UFL struck an agreement to use [[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice University Stadium]] for a Houston franchise (which retains the [[Houston Roughnecks (2024)|Houston Roughnecks]] brand but the players and coaching staff of the former Houston Gamblers, who never played in Houston during their time in the 2020s incarnation of the USFL.)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuvanich |first=Adam |date=2024-02-02 |title=Houston Roughnecks of United Football League to play home games at Rice Stadium |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/sports/2024/02/02/476262/houston-roughnecks-of-united-football-league-to-play-home-games-at-rice-stadium/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Houston Public Media |language=en-US}}</ref>
On August 31, 2023, the Vegas Vipers announced that they would not return to [[Cashman Field]] for the 2024 season, citing widespread negative feedback from multiple sources about the venue.<ref>[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F45Y8YOWoAAf6B_?format=jpg&name=900x900 Statement from Jason Gonella, SVP of ticket sales for the Vegas Vipers], released August 31, 2023</ref>
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| scope="row" | '''[[Houston Roughnecks (2024)|Houston Roughnecks]]'''
| [[Houston|Houston, Texas]]
| [[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]]
| {{TBA}}
| [[AstroTurf|Turf]]
| {{TBA}}
| 47,000{{TBADagger}}
| [[Wade Phillips]] (reassigned to San Antonio 2024-01-01)
|-
| scope="row" | '''[[Orlando Guardians]]'''
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| [[AstroTurf|Turf]]
| 64,000{{Dagger}}
| [[Hines Ward]] (resigned 2023-12-28)
|-
! colspan="6" style="text-align:center;" style="{{Gridiron primary style|XFL (2020)}};" |North Division
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* '''"[[HBCU]] Showcase"''' (June 17) at [[Clark Atlanta University]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scouting Football Talent: XFL 2023 Showcase Events Kick Off This Weekend in Atlanta|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/scouting-football-talent-xfl-2023-showcase-events-kick-off-this-weekend-in-atlanta/|website=xflnewshub.com|date=19 June 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The XFL is committed to HBCU talent|url=https://hbcugameday.com/2023/06/24/the-xfl-is-committed-to-hbcu-talent/|website=HBCUgameday.com|date=24 June 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* '''"XFL combine"''' (July 25–27) at [[Choctaw Stadium]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Everything You Need to Know about the XFL Combine|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-xfl-combine|work=XFL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nine Players to Watch at the XFL Combine|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/nine-players-to-watch-at-the-xfl-combine|work=XFL}}</ref> which was livestreamed on [[YouTube]] and [[Facebook]].<ref>{{cite web|title=XFL Combine to Be Livestreamed On YouTube and Facebook|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-combine-to-be-livestreamed-on-youtube-and-facebook-july-26-27|work=XFL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/2023-xfl-combine-notebook-wednesday-july-26|title=2023 XFL Combine Notebook: Wednesday, July 26|work=XFL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/2023-xfl-combine-notebook-thursday-july-27|title=2023 XFL Combine Notebook: Thursday, July 27|work=XFL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/2023-xfl-combine-recap-notebook|title=2023 XFL Combine Recap Notebook: Eye-Popping Drills, KJ Sails' Livestream Debut and More|work=XFL}}</ref> For the combine the XFL had partnerships with three companies - [[Catapult Sports]], [[VALD Performance]] and [[Vitruve]] - for data breakdown.<ref>{{cite web|title=Innovative Technology Serves as Key to Evaluation at XFL Combine|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/innovative-technology-serves-as-key-to-evaluation-at-xfl-combine|work=XFL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-combine?|title=2023 XFL Combine Testing|work=XFL}}</ref>
* '''"Supplemental Showcase"''' (October 20) - in Orlando for players who are eligible to be selected at the XFL Supplemental Draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/xfl-orlando-showcase-recap/n-6024367|title=XFL Orlando Showcase Recap|work=OurSports Central|date=20 October 2023 }}</ref>
* '''"Specialist Showcase"''' (October 22) in partnership with [[Nick Novak|Novak Kicking & Consulting]] at [[San Diego, California]], featuring 76 players.<ref>{{Cite web|title=76 Specialists Take Part In Final XFL Player Showcase Of The Off-Season|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/76-specialists-take-part-in-final-xfl-player-showcase-of-the-off-season|website=xflnewshub.com |date=25 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Draft===
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On July 28 the XFL held a "rights claim" draft, which had not been announced to the public, and the picks were later released through the official XFL transaction page.<ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL 2024: Houston Roughnecks Claim Rights To Eleven Players, Tavon Austin Headlines Class|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-2024-houston-roughnecks-claim-rights-to-eleven-players-tavon-austin-headlines-class/|website=xflnewshub.com|date=August 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> The players rights were assigned to the selected team, but they are not under contract with the team (similar to the "negotiation lists" in the [[Canadian Football League#CFL Draft|CFL]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/the-enduring-mystery-of-cfl-negotiation-lists-1.981621|title=The enduring mystery of CFL negotiation lists|work=TSN|date=29 January 2018 }}</ref>). The players selected included: [[Tavon Austin]], [[Darrynton Evans]], [[Chris Odom]], [[Dru Samia]], [[Josh Jackson (cornerback)|Josh Jackson]], [[Darrell Henderson]], [[Harrison Hand]], [[Quinton Bell]] and [[Anthony Gordon (American football)|Anthony Gordon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions|title=Transactions|work=XFL}}</ref>
As a result of the merger talks, the planned '''2024 Draft''' (slated for October 4, 2023<ref>{{Cite web|title=Unofficial XFL Draft Date Announced: October Packed with Pre-Season Events|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/unofficial-xfl-draft-date-announced-october-packed-with-pre-season-events/|website=XFL News Hub|date=3 September 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>) was postponed to November and later cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL Draft Postponed to November Amid USFL Merger Talks|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-draft-postponed-to-november-amid-usfl-merger-talks/|website=XFL News Hub|date=30 September 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL Draft Slated for Early-October is Reportedly Shelved|url=https://pfnewsroom.com/news/xfl-draft-slated-for-early-october-is-reportedly-shelved/|website=Pro Football Newsroom|date=29 September 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Compensation===
After the [[2023 XFL season|2023 season]] concluded, [[Doug Whaley]], XFL's Senior Vice President of Player Personnel, said in an interview that the league delaying contracts for 2024 season due to a potential unionization of players from "another entity" (not through the [[United Steelworkers]]).<ref name=":ITL" /> [[Russ Giglio]], Senior Director, Player Administration and Officiating Operations, also mentioned that 2023 season players has a mutual 'opt-in' agreement: "The players that finish the season have a mutual option with the team to sign back. The team wants the player back, the player wants to come back, we’ll sign a contract".<ref name=":ITL" />
On December 29, 2023 XFL players were notified by Whaley that their current contracts and health benefits would expire on December 31, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL Players Receive Key Update on Contracts and Merged XFL-USFL League|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-players-receive-key-update-on-contracts-and-merged-xfl-usfl-league/|website=XFL NEWS HUB |date=30 December 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Player movement===
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* On August 9, 2023, the exclusive rights of 28 players who participate in the "XFL Combines" and "IFL to XFL Combine" were claimed by XFL teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/xfl-teams-claim-rights-to-28-players-following-combine|title=XFL Teams Claim Rights to 28 Players Following Combine|work=XFL }}</ref> The claiming process is similar to the NFL's "futures contracts".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1947667-everything-you-need-to-know-about-nfl-futures-contracts|title=Everything You Need to Know About NFL Futures Contracts|work=Bleacher Report }}</ref>
* On August 11, 2023 the [[Seattle Sea Dragons]] made a trade with [[St. Louis Battlehawks]] for LB [[Silas Kelly]] in exchange for TE [[Charlie Taumoepeau]] and a claim rights pick from the XFL Combine,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/battlehawks-trade-fan-favorite-lb-silas-kelly-for-te-charlie-taumopeanu/|title=Battlehawks Trade Fan Favorite LB Silas Kelly, for TE Charlie Taumopeanu|work=xflnewshub.com |date=11 August 2023 }}</ref> while the [[Houston Roughnecks (2024)|Houston Roughnecks]] acquired WR [[Landen Akers]] from the [[San Antonio Brahmas]] for a claim rights pick.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-2024-houston-roughnecks-make-trade-with-san-antonio-brahmas-add-two-in-rights-draft/|title=XFL 2024: Houston Roughnecks Make Trade With San Antonio Brahmas, Add Two in Rights Draft|work=xflnewshub.com |date=10 August 2023 }}</ref>
* In October a total of 117 players signed letters of intent with XFL teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/22-players-sign-letter-of-intent-with-xfl-complete-breakdown-of-each/|title=22 Players Sign Letter Of Intent With XFL, Complete Breakdown Of Each Player|work=xflnewshub.com|date=19 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/24-more-players-sign-xfl-letters-of-intent-including-returning-players-recap-of-each/?expand_article=1|title=24 More Players Sign XFL Letters of Intent, Including Returning Players, Recap Of Each|work=xflnewshub.com|date=20 October 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=15 More Players Sign Letter Of Intent With XFL For The 2024 Season, Breakdown On Each Player|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/15-more-players-sign-letter-of-intent-with-xfl-for-the-2024-season-breakdown-on-each-player/|website=xflnewshub.com |date=21 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=23 Players Sign Letters Of Intent With XFL For 2024 Season, Breakdown of Each Player|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/23-players-sign-letters-of-intent-with-xfl-for-2024-season-breakdown-of-each-player/|website=xflnewshub.com |date=24 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=13 Players Sign Letters Of Intent With XFL in 2024, Full Breakdown|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/13-players-sign-letters-of-intent-with-xfl-in-2024-full-breakdown/|website=xflnewshub.com |date=24 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=13 Players Sign Letter Of Intent With XFL, Bringing Total To 110, Full Breakdown|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/13-players-sign-letter-of-intent-with-xfl-bringing-total-to-110-full-breakdown/|website=xflnewshub.com |date=26 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=7 Players Sign Letters Of Intent With XFL, Bringing Total to 117, Full Details|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/7-players-sign-letters-of-intent-with-xfl-bringing-total-to-117-full-details/|website=xflnewshub.com |date=27 October 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Partnerships ===
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| style="text-align:center;" | {{sortname|Hines|Ward}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sortname|Wade|Phillips}}
| On December 28, Ward departed the XFL in protest of the league's change to a seasonal contract structure. He accumulated a record of 3–7 as head coach of the Brahmas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kozora |first=Alex |date=2023-12-28 |title=Report: Hines Ward Out As San Antonio Brahmas Head Coach |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2023/12/report-hines-ward-out-as-san-antonio-brahmas-head-coach/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Mark |date=2023-12-28 |title=Exclusive: HC Hines Ward, GM Will Lewis Out With Brahmas, HC Phillips & OC Smith In, Full Details |url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/exclusive-hc-hines-ward-gm-will-lewis-out-with-brahmas-hc-phillips-oc-smith-in-full-details/ |access-date=2023-12-28 |website=xflnewshub.com |language=en-us}}</ref> Phillips, who had signed a guaranteed two-year contract with firmer protections than Ward's, had spent the 2023 season as head coach of the [[Houston Roughnecks (20242020)|Houston Roughnecks]]; as the USFL's [[Houston GamblersRoughnecks (20222024)|Houston Gamblers]] are expected to bewere the surviving Houston team in the USFL/XFL merger, but were granted the Roughnecks' arebrand, expectedsocial tomedia ceasepresence to(which had more followers than the Gamblers'), and home existcity.<ref name="4teams">{{Cite web |date=2023-12-19 |title=Four USFL teams survive merger with XFL |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/four-usfl-teams-survive-merger-with-xfl |access-date=2023-12-19 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> As a result of the arrangement, Gamblers coach [[Curtis Johnson (American football coach)|Curtis Johnson]] replaced Phillips as coach of the Roughnecks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seifert |first=Kevin |date=January 1, 2024 |title=Newly formed United Football League sets 8 markets, tabs coaches |url=https://www.espn.com/xfl/story/_/id/39222541/newly-formed-united-football-league-sets-8-markets-tabs-coaches |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
|}
==Season structure==
===Postseason===
After the 2023 season, XFL President Russ Brandon addressed the criticism revolving around the playoff format and the tie-breaker scenario: "We never thought we would get that far in the tie-breaker scenario (...) The key to anything is to keep things simple, so we'll have to clean that up (...) We'll evaluate the situation that happened this year with the playoff. looking back at it, more thought needs to go into it. that will be under review." Brandon also mentioned that the league reserved dates for the 2024 championship game at locations in "neutral" sites.<ref>{{cite web|title=XFL Showcase 2023: XFL President Russ Brandon talks Championship, Playoffs, and XFL Future|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCjO41vCi14&ab_channel=AnalyzeandEducate|work=YouTube| date=8 July 2023 }}</ref>
==League finances==
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===Business partnerships===
The league signed multi-year sponsorship deals with [[Progressive Corporation]] and [[Under Armour]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL Owners Optimistic Despite Losses, Declining Viewership|url=https://frontofficesports.com/xfl-owners-optimistic-despite-losses-declining-viewership/|website=frontofficesports.com|date=12 June 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL and Under Armour Announce Expansive, Multi-Year Partnership|url=https://xflboard.com/news/xfl-and-under-armour-announce-expansive-multi-year-partnership/|website=xflboard.com|date=27 February 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> In November 2023 Garcia and Johnson met with several U.S. senators trying to secure a sponsorship with the [[US military]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=XFL USFL Merger Leaders Convene in DC; Key Decisions Ahead|url=https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-usfl-merger-leaders-convene-in-dc-key-decisions-ahead/|website=xflnewshub.com|date=20 November 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Media==
===Broadcasting===
This willwas going to be the second year of a five-year exclusive agreement with [[ESPN Inc.]] and [[the Walt Disney Company]] to carry every XFL game across ESPN's platforms, [[ESPN on ABC|ABC]], and [[FX (TV channel)|FX]]. Worth between $100 million and $150 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=May 17, 2022 |title=Disney Strikes Deal to Put XFL on ESPN, FX, ABC |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/disney-xfl-rights-deal-espn-fx-1235269996/ |access-date=May 17, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517214901/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/disney-xfl-rights-deal-espn-fx-1235269996/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=XFL midseason TV report card: Ratings have dropped, but is a rebound ahead? |url=https://theathletic.com/4336479/2023/03/22/xfl-tv-ratings-midseason/ |website=The Athletic|language=en-US|author=Shea, Bill|date=March 22, 2023}}</ref> Some refute the idea and claimed that the XFL is not getting a rights fee from ESPN, and the agreement is a rights agreement for the games to be on the air, but without payment. In a tweet, Dwayne Johnson responded to the claimed and said: "ESPN is a stakeholder in XFL. Long term partners", implying that ESPN are [[shareholder]]s in the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/xfl/marchand-ourand-respond-the-rock-espn-rights-fee.html|title=Marchand & Ourand respond to The Rock regarding ESPN-XFL financial arrangement|website=AwfulAnnouncing.com|date=21 June 2023 }}</ref>
==== International broadcasters ====
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<!--{{2024 XFL season}}-->
[[Category:XFL (20202020–2023)]]
[[Category:2024 in American football|XFL]]
[[Category:2024 XFL season]]