There is a lot of history between Dwayne Johnson and football. After all, the sport has maintained an emotional connection for Player 54. His uni days in Miami were when he met his ex-wife Dany Garcia. Back then, he was just a player and Garcia was a crew member for the Hurricanes. Fast forward to 2020, hailing his investment in the league as a “passion project,” they co-own XFL.
The second season of XFL, the American football league, is about to conclude in 48 hours. This is the first season of the league under the ownership of Dwayne Johnson and his ex-wife Dany Garcia. After the suspension of the league in 2020, all eyes were set on the new owners as they were skeptical after previous failures. They didn’t only make this season a success but also gave a glimpse of what the XFL offseason would look like.
XFL co-owners want to play the long game
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Before the second XFL season ends, WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson and his business partner appeared in front of the media to provide their season-end verdict. In their interview with ESPN, the co-owners emphasized the importance of steady growth. Dwayne Johnson said that the moment they stepped inside the second XFL season, all they had in their mind was the determination to play the long game.
Johnson also mentioned that when you enter the sports business you want to see steady growth, the response from the fans, and then you plan accordingly.
Talking about the importance of steady growth, Dwayne Johnson said, “We went into this XFL season determined and committed to playing the long game… You want to see steady growth. You want to get feedback from the fans and the audience, you want to see how the game plays on TV. And then, play the long game.”
The owners also revealed what the off-season of XFL will look like. The league could possibly host the minicamps to enhance the connection between the teams and the fans. After XFL’s troubled history, DJ is determined to make it work this time and has long-term plans for the league.
Not only this, But the former WWE champion also expressed a wish for every player that he wants to fulfill.
Dwayne Johnson says XFL players “felt seen”
Later in the interview, the WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson took a step away from the facts and figures and opened up about a wish for the XFL players that he truly wants to fulfill. The XFL has already provided some exciting and heart-warming moments for both the players and the fans and The Rock wants it to go even beyond.
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Johnson said that he wants every player to feel that they had some big chances coming after this season ends. “Players felt seen, and they felt they had a real shot to play beyond this season, whether it was in the spring or play in the fall (in NFL).”, said the former WWE Champion.
AJ McCarron was emotional after celebrating the @XFLBattlehawks' comeback win with his kids ❤️ @10AJMcCarron | @XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/6NJ9lViJvc
— ESPN (@espn) February 19, 2023
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And with the amount of success this season is receiving, it won’t be a surprise if the players get more opportunities after the season ends, and Johnson’s wish gets fulfilled. The major reason why Johnson wants the players to get exposure is because of the special connection he had with football during his college life.
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