Episode 105 - “Next into the Shark Tank, the XFL”
The XFL is looking for more money, TOGETHXR has dropped its trademark lawsuit against the XFL, we’re chatting week 10 of the CFL, previewing the BC Lions traveling to Calgary to face the Stampeders, and interviewing a boatload of people! Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic, Paul Reeths of OurSports Central, Darrin Bauming of Bonfire Sports, former XFL Dragons member Dontez Byrd, BC Lions standout WR Dominique Rhymes and newly signed Calgary Stampeder running back Dedrick Mills all join the show!
BREAKING news coming in late to the newsroom, TOGETHXR has officially and voluntarily dismissed its trademark lawsuit against the XFL. The potentially disruptive lawsuit that’s been hanging over the XFL’s head since their logo relaunch earlier this summer is now officially over. There’s still one lawsuit hanging over the XFL (and CFL’s head) by way of David Adrian Smith, but for now, the XFL can breathe at least one breath of relief.
The XFL is also in the news with reports that they are looking for more money, and are willing to give up to 35-45% of the company away to investors in order to get it. We bring on Daniel Kaplan from The Athletic to get his thoughts on the XFL’s movements thus far. He reacts to the USFL’s 2022 season, their business model’s results, and what the XFL could and should do to learn and grow from the efforts the USFL made last spring. I asked Daniel Kaplan to share his thoughts on why the XFL might be looking for investors now before they’ve even kicked off their inaugural XFL season and what he thinks that means for the long-term success and health of the 3.0 XFL league. Daniel Kaplan also shares some new insights into the XFL-ESPN TV deal and whether that gives the XFL a leg up over the USFL in the spring football landscape. We also chat the NFL Alumni academy and if he believes that means the NFL will give the XFL preferential treatment moving forward.
Long-time fan favorite, USFL historian and owner of OurSports Central (www.oursportscentral.com) Paul Reeths returns to the show to give his take on the XFL’s recently announced investor plans. We compare and contrast the fundraising efforts the USFL is doing trying to find individual owners for their 8 named USFL franchises and what it means to investors that the XFL isn’t selling off teams (yet) and merely giving equity stake in the company. It’s a fruitful conversation looking at how the XFL and the USFL are basically going about league building the same way, only with slight modifications likely learned from each other.
Lots of CFL talk on the podcast this week from friend of the program Darrin Bauming of Bonfire Sports (www.bonfiresports.ca). Darrin talks through the biggest storylines going into CFL Week 10 including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ dominance, the troubles the East division is facing, Saskatchewan trying to wriggle their way into a hometown Grey Cup showing, and whatever the heck is going on in Montreal with the Alouettes. We also talk about the need for fan-focused and fan-driven shows and podcasts related to the CFL and other non-NFL leagues to help build fan engagement.
3 player interviews on this week’s show as we catch up with former XFL Dragons WR Dontez Byrd as he looks to make his return to the XFL when they hit the field in 2023. Dontez shares his thoughts on the importance of spring football leagues and how challenging it is for alt-football players to constantly keep themselves in shape during their nonexistent off-season, never knowing when the next opportunity will arise.
We also get a first-hand preview of the big BC Lions at Calgary Stampeders game this Saturday by way of Dominique Rhymes of the Lions and Dedrick Mills of the Stampeders. Both gentlemen had stellar performances in their last games, Rhymes catching 3 TD passes from Nathan Rourke, Mills rushing for over 100 yards, and both look to make an impact this Saturday in this pivotal CFL Western Division matchup.
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