The XFL has its immediate future in place with plans to hold a 2024 season. Beyond that, many questions remain regarding the viability of the spring league’s third iteration, though its ownership remains confident it will soon be on sold financial footing. 
The 2023 campaign marked the first of the XFL’s latest format, one made possible by the ownership tandem of Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia. The pair purchased the league, one which had one-off seasons in 2001 and 2020, with the intent of establishing a long-term professional alternative to the NFL for players along with a partnership regarding rules testing. After the past season, more than two dozen XFL players have landed contracts in the NFL, illustrating the potential the former has as an effective pathway.
However, finances could represent an obstacle to long-term stability. Forbes’ Jabari Young reports that the XFL lost roughly $60MM in 2023, a figure which likely helps explains recent layoffs and cannot be repeated over consecutive years if the league aims to remain in place for the foreseeable future. However, its owners have struck an optimistic tone on that front and signs are pointing to a reversal of those losses.
The XFL is projecting $100MM in revenue for next season, Young notes. Part of the reason for that estimate is the continued partnership with ESPN as a broadcaster, along with other financial commitments made for the league’s first four years of operation. The addition of new corporate sponsors for next season should also help put the league in the black. Garcia said the XFL is “extremely well-capitalized for the long-term.”
Gerry Cardinale, owner of XFL co-owner RedBird Capital, has echoed Garcia’s confidence in the league’s ability to firmly establish itself as a permanent fixture on the spring football calendar. No American league has been able to do that over an extended period, but if Cardinale’s estimate of the XFL becoming cash-flow positive by 2027 holds true, it may indeed accomplish that goal. Much remains to be seen regarding the league’s short- and long-term future, but a path to financial stability appears to be in place.
A $60M loss in 2023 with a projected “revenue” of $100M in 2024? Unless a crazy broadcast deal comes to play or the NFL is subsidizing this league I don’t how they get $100M in revenue, never mind turning enough profit on that amount to avoid further losses or offset some of that $60M.
I think I smell what the Rock is Cookin’ and it is poo-poo.
If this was Shark Tank, Mark Cuban would already be out.
Unless the XFL placed a team in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Then he’d hook up with Mr. Wonderful on a royalty deal…lol.
I’m sure couch-sitters called Vince McMahon crazy for thinking he could make money off of “dying” pro wrestling too..
remember, this is his baby.
I personally would rather watch spring football than NBA . there’s definitely a market for it
The XFL had a good season and was exciting to follow. Shame they couldn’t consolidate with the USFL and become a true minor league of the NFL as well as b their financial support.
Exactly. If the XFL can hold out for another couple of seasons and keep costs down, there’s place in the calendar and a deep field of NFL castoffs on whose shoulders to show some fairly decent football.
Seriously?! Do we really need more football leagues 24/7/365? It’s bad enough, overkill, and oversaturated already with year-round NFL coverage. Oops, I forgot! It’s all about the almighty buck and greed.
No one is holding a gun to your head forcing you to follow sports. Do you get this upset when Starbucks or Domino’s adds a new store to their chain?
Find a girlfriend bro
That requires work
All about the almighty buck? This article is about them losing ~$60,000,000.00 and knowing they’ll lose millions more for a few years before breaking even. That’s greedy to you? There are some players in these leagues that could contribute in the NFL, and they need actual live action reps to develop as well as prove they could do it. Every other sport has a true minor league feeder, no reason why the NFL couldn’t either. And if you don’t like it, don’t watch it.
Amen
well let’s see..
it’s late June, and you’re on Pro FOOTBALL Rumors website !!!!!!!
I agree that the only way for a spring football league to succeed is 1.) only have 1 such league 2.) have a relationship with the NFL. Succeed is going to be relative anyway.
I’d be surprised if USFL doesn’t fold after this season
XFL will be king of the Spring…what that actually means, not too sure.
but think it has MLS upside as a moderate league with local support
If you like football enough to watch this drek, more power to you.
Why would the NFL invest money in a league that 60 million. That would be like investing in Kmart. NFL tried NFL EUROPE and lost money and said by Europe
because it could profit 40mil per year for 17+ years straight , after taking an early loss on first 2-3 seasons.
so you lose 200mil but then gain over a billion longterm.. does that math make sense to you?
Uber loses a billion every year , I don’t hear you hating on them.
some ppl … most ppl.. have absolutely no business sense…. Gary.
Easter egg.. the pic is The Rock at UFC with the BMF Belt for the Masvidal Diaz fight