In an announcement made this week, it was reported that the XFL was purchased by the former Miami (FL) football star, wrestling champ, businessman, and actor Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock”. Together with his ex-wife and business partner Dany Garcia, and a private equity firm, the $15 million bid will get the XFL out of financial trouble that was a result of cancelled games through the COVID-19 period. With Johnson at the helm, the focus will be very much geared towards the field. 

The XFL broadcasts last February and March experienced some strong sports betting interest due in part to more US states legalising sports betting in 2020. An example of this was the FanDuel sportsbook for the XFL Seattle - DC game in February 2020, which did 20 x more handle compared to the Atlanta - Orlando debut in 2019. In fact, PointsBet, Patrick Eichner, revealed to The Lines that more business was generated from XFL in the 1st week of the season than the AAF took for the entire year of 2019. 

Eichner added that the XFL league’s embrace of sports betting elements helped them maintain interest, unlike with the AAF.