Dwayne Johnson Explains Biggest Factor In His Decision To Buy The XFL

Last month, the XFL returned from the dead yet again when the seemingly cursed league set out to test the theory that the third time is indeed the charm.

As you likely know, the first iteration of the XFL folded following its inaugural season in 2001. While the rebooted version that debuted in 2020 seemed to have some potential, it ultimately befell the same fate in an even shorter span of time after the pandemic reared its ugly head.

That summer, the league sold off its remaining assets to a group of investors led by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to the tune of $15 million.

That move made sense when you consider Johnson played football at the University of Miami before taking his talents to the WWE, which served as the driving force between XFL 1.0 and 2.0.

XFL 3.0 has produced a number of feel-good stories thanks to the likes of A.J. McCarron and Josh Gordon, and we’ve been treated to our fair share of drama thanks to some strange play-stealing accusations and the fight that broke out at the end of a game last weekend.

With that said, the initial television ratings have certainly left a bit to be desired, and while the league theoretically has some time to attract more fans, it is a bit hard to ignore questions about the larger vision and overall endgame.

On Monday, Johnson did what he could to address those facets during an interview with Scott Van Pelt on ESPN where he shed some light on what motivated him to buy the XFL in the first place.

Here’s what he had to say:

“It was the opportunity to create a league that I wish that I had when I was around.

But the allure of this was my longtime business partner Dany Garcia, she said ‘I have this crazy idea, let’s go buy the XFL.’ And immediately, Scott, it was the easiest ‘Yes’ I ever said…

There are 53 men on an NFL roster, I was always number 54. Our goal here—we have a league of 54s.”

Based on how Johnson is positioning the current version of the XFL, it doesn’t seem like too much a of stretch to suggest he might be angling to establish some sort of partnership with the NFL in the future in the hopes of officially cementing his venture as a feeder league.

With that said, he probably has his work cut out on that front.