Dwayne Johnson Feels Grateful as Someone Stands Up for Him After XFL’s Estimated $60,000,000 Loss: “It’s Common for Start Ups..I Give the XFL an A”

From a pro-wrestler-turned-movie star to an entrepreneur, WWE icon Dwayne Johnson has worn many hats over the years. As a businessman, he has mostly seen growth. However, since reports have emerged of his co-owned XFL taking a $60 million hit after the first completed season, the 51-year-old has been under the pump. Critics have come down hard on him in the last few days and support has been in short supply.

Amidst all the salvos fired at him, Johnson has received support from the top brass of a sports tech and data company, who, as opposed to the popular sentiment, held the XFL’s achievement in high regard.

Dwayne Johnson appreciates Cory Yates’ assessment

Cory Yates, the co-founder and CEO of Reel Analytics, praised the XFL for its achievement in its first season under the new management. Unlike others, who have been criticizing the minor American football league vehemently, Yates chose to look at the positives.

Reportedly, Over 20 XFL players have been contracted by NFL teams this year. The minor football league made a comeback this year after having two botched seasons earlier. The league was lying defunct but was bought and reinstated by Johnson and his business partners, including former wife Dany Garcia.

Yates said that it’s common for start-ups to lose money initially. But he was happy with the opportunity the league created for the players to ply their trade in the NFL in the future.

“The number of @XFL2023 players who signed NFL contracts (~20) is the real year one litmus test. Based on that, I give the XFL an A,” he wrote on Twitter.

Johnson was filled with gratitude to have some support and said he appreciates the “sound assessment”. He also reiterated the value of patience in his reply. Meanwhile, what are the issues plaguing Johnson and his league? Let’s find out.

Financial loss, ‘fake’ contract and others: The not so bright side of XFL

Even before the loss was reported, there was news about layoffs, just days after Johnson and his ex-wife celebrated the success of their sporting endeavor. The league has reportedly severed ties with two of its top marketing executives- CMO Janet Duch and VP/Marketing and Brand Anthony Zucconi. Several other employees were also laid off.

Read More: After Lamar Jackson’s $260 Million Deal, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s XFL Is Paying Their Highest Paid Player a Shockingly Less Amount

Apart from this, journalist James Larsen recently quoted experts Andrew Marchand and John Ourand and tweeted that the reported $20 million deal between ESPN and XFL isn’t true. “Interesting #XFL development: There is no rights deal in place for the @XFL2023 with ESPN & Disney, per @AndrewMarchand,” part of the tweet read.

While Johnson clarified that the report wasn’t true, calling ESPN a stakeholder and long-term partner of the XFL, it put a question mark on the nature of the XFL-ESPN deal.

Then there’s the reported loss. According to reporter John Ourand, the amount of the loss could be greater than that reported. He said it on his ‘The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast’ recently. XFL fans however will take comfort in the fact that players from the league are going to get an opportunity to shine on the biggest platform.

Not only that, in a rare reversal, an NFL player offered Johnson his service recently, which could come as a huge boost for the XFL. 

Tell us your take on the issue in the comments.

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