2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[kidkash]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

What makes you think the XFL is going to be successful?

It won’t need the ratings it needed in 2001. If it can duplicate the ratings it had at the end it’ll be great in 2020. It won’t be in direct competition with the nfl and if the CFL and occasionally arena football is still broadcast why couldn’t the XFL make it. There a lot of people who a feed up with the NFL you only need 5 million to watch the XFL for it to be a hit maybe less.

Number 1 show in 2001- friends 24.5 million

Number 1 show in 2016- Sunday night football 19.4 million (actual show NCIS 14.4 million)

Network tv has lost nearly 10 million viewers. Not to mention only 4.7 million people watch the Stanley Cup ratings are much lower. Chances of making it are very good why do you think Vince is bringing it back.

[Tony208]

There will be no shortage of players because the alternative is a real job.

[Tony208]

I just watched ESPN 30 for 30 XFL again, really good.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by El Rey

Eh good riddance to Costas. He was a good broadcaster but like most of the modern media he likes to grandstand and editorialize, make it about himself. People watch sports to get away from everything being politicized.

In regards to the XFL, I think Vince learned from his mistakes. I think he sees an opportunity now with the NFL losing viewers and fans due to the whole anthem controversy and wants to capitalize. Also I don't think the goal is to be as big as the NFL, if anything I think if it gets just enough popularity it could serve as a minor league of sorts.
There was an ESPN 30 For 30 a couple months ago about the XFL, was really good, seek it out if you can.

Edit - just read the updated story with Vince's quotes about it not being a developmental league for the NFL but honestly besides an outright failing again, I think being a minor league would be best case scenario. There's just no way to compete with the NFL.
He also said that he didn't see the timing of NFL losing viewers as why he is striking now but I mean that has to be a part of it. I think he is just saying the right things at the moment. He seems to be taking a more measured, subtle approach this time around.

The NFL is not losing fans and TV viewership is down across the board. It's a social thing. People watch the games by streaming and other methods. I have not paid to watch an NFL game in years since cutting the cord yet I still watch most games.

As far as politics goes that's bullshit. McMahon just announced the XFL will force all players to stand for the anthem. That's every bit as political as the NFL on the other side of the issue to some degree.

Also, Vince says no convicted criminals in the XFL. Well, there goes a significant chunk of potential high caliber athletes looking for a second chance in another league outside of the NFL.

Vince is quite obviously trying to turn the XFL into a "red state America" type of league aimed at conservatives. Basically the Breitbart/Trump of football leagues.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

The NFL is not losing fans and TV viewership is down across the board. It's a social thing. People watch the games by streaming and other methods. I have not paid to watch an NFL game in years since cutting the cord yet I still watch most games.

As far as politics goes that's bullshit. McMahon just announced the XFL will force all players to stand for the anthem. That's every bit as political as the NFL on the other side of the issue to some degree.

Also, Vince says no convicted criminals in the XFL. Well, there goes a significant chunk of potential high caliber athletes looking for a second chance in another league outside of the NFL.

Vince is quite obviously trying to turn the XFL into a "red state America" type of league aimed at conservatives. Basically the Breitbart/Trump of football leagues.

XFL bringing politics into sports? I’m boycotting!

[Eye Candy]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Vick and Young

Ray Rice !!

Tony Romo --- j/k

[kidkash]

Originally Posted by AeroK

I wouldn't count it out. Guess I better dust off my XFL jersey.

The second post ever in here hahaha. 7 years later he actually has to do it!

[El Rey]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

The NFL is not losing fans and TV viewership is down across the board. It's a social thing. People watch the games by streaming and other methods. I have not paid to watch an NFL game in years since cutting the cord yet I still watch most games.

As far as politics goes that's bullshit. McMahon just announced the XFL will force all players to stand for the anthem. That's every bit as political as the NFL on the other side of the issue to some degree.

Also, Vince says no convicted criminals in the XFL. Well, there goes a significant chunk of potential high caliber athletes looking for a second chance in another league outside of the NFL.

Vince is quite obviously trying to turn the XFL into a "red state America" type of league aimed at conservatives. Basically the Breitbart/Trump of football leagues.

Lots of stories (one link provided below but I have seen the same story everywhere) just today about the viewership ratings and ad revenue decline. I mean it doesn't affect me, I am a fan and am going to watch no matter what (don't care about any supposed "controversies") but it's happening, the evidence is there and there's no denying it.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-nfl...ess-1516918712

Not sure why you not having to pay to watch a game (assuming you are talking about watching on TV) means anything. I mean you have to pay for cable if you care about the Monday Night games on ESPN (those games are usually trash) or have a NFL Sunday Ticket through DirecTV or pay for RedZone, otherwise the bulk of the games are on over the air TV. I know reports talk about viewers moving to watching the games in other ways but I personally don't know anyone who watches football on their phones, tablets, computers, etc. I mean I know it's possible that people do but just think football is still traditionally watched on tv. All of that speculation has mainly come from news outlet reports, at least that I have seen, I haven't heard of anyone from the NFL acknowledge "yes our tv ratings are down but lots of people are watching on their phones now". The reports are that ratings/viewership are/is down in general. Within the last two years TV spots sold weren't hitting their viewership goals and make up spots had to be given away which in effect is giving away money.

I don't think we disagree too much on why Vince is making his move now, he sees an opportunity, an audience to seize and is going to take it but I am not on the Trump/Breitbart league hyperbole train. He's spending his own money and it's likely going to fail so who cares. Again, if you watched the 30 for 30 on the XFL you can see where he has regrets and learned from the mistakes he made the first time around. He's an old guy, who already succeeded in pro wrestling, and wants to spend (waste?) his money trying to correct a past failing.

[Tony208]

Pro Bowl skills challenge was fun

[Galactus]

Anyone else noticed the similarities between Super Bowl LII and Rocky II?

[BizCat]

If it's done right XFL can be successful. It sounds like it will, so far.

[Himmel]

https://www.thewrap.com/marshmello-p...rty-exclusive/

[Moviefan1203]

Absolutely gutted for Eric Wood. He’s a really good dude.

[Batman1980]

New Giants coach Pat Shurmur said he thinks Eli Manning has "years left" and is looking forward to working with the 37-year-old.

This coincides with what GM Dave Gettleman said earlier in the week. Fired coach Ben McAdoo seemed to be pushing Manning out the door late in the season, but the fans revolted and McAdoo was fired a couple weeks later. The new regime seems to be all in on Manning for 2018 at the very least. Manning surely isn't the worst of the Giants' problems, but he's no longer a top-end quarterback in this league. Maybe an overhauled offensive line can keep Manning upright, give him time, and allow Manning to keep going another 2-3 years.

Source - http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1657/eli-manning

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Source - http://rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1657/eli-manning

Translation: We want to trade #2.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by BizCat

Understood - I'm just saying there's a lot more deserving people.

Of course there are, I’m not disputing that.
But it’s his charity so it wouldn’t make sense for him to give the tickets away to “more deserving” people if he clearly wants to draw attention to his charity, which is what he is doing.

[Ray O. Blu]

Originally Posted by kidkash

the second post ever in here hahaha. 7 years later he actually has to do it!

EB5490C4-1C81-44F5-9EF1-E213FB2245F9.jpg

[Tony208]

Media trying to politicize the XFL already SMH

[rickah88]

I like this stat: backup QBs are 6-2 in the big game.
Acutlly the last 6 backups have won, after starting out 0-2. The last being Tom Brady.

[kidkash]

Originally Posted by rickah88

I like this stat: Tom Brady is 6-2 in the big game.

True.