XFL Should Do What The NFL Can’t, Embrace Culture

When it comes to the NFL, they’ve painted themselves into a corner. By getting too heavily involved in politics they’ve distanced themselves too far from actual change. When it comes to their message, they’ve alienated so many people with rhetoric that they’re holding themselves back to the point it’s impossible to move forward. The XFL, on the other hand, can do whatever it wants to embrace culture.

To start, the XFL is now owned by Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson and his business partners. Johnson himself is of Samoan/African American descent which breaks the mold of typical ownership in the NFL. Just 2 of the 32 teams in the NFL are owned by minority ownership. While many celebrities have made runs at owning an NFL team, all attempts have fallen short to take majority ownership of an NFL franchise.

The XFL is a single entity, but it would be wise for the league to transition to franchises much like the NFL. Sure, there’s probably a bunch of hurdles to overcome between stadiums, investing, and a whole list of legal nonsense but the XFL should embrace what the NFL cannot, ownership by minority candidates.

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Take, for instance, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs who was rumored to have made a run at buying the Carolina Panthers. Jay-Z, also known as Sean Carter, at one point owned part of the Brooklyn Nets. Both hip-hop artists have turned almost everything they’ve touched into gold and have the financial backing to put whichever team they’d purchase in the spotlight.

Dwayne Johnson is no slouch either, between his wrestling career, box office draw, tequila brand, and now his own sitcom on NBC he’s got the “Midas touch” as well. Despite the XFL’s first failure, it was only shut down the second time around due to the global pandemic. With owners who have ever-growing connections in the sports and entertainment industry, bringing diverse cultures to celebrate wouldn’t be as big of a challenge as the NFL faces.

While it would take some creative string-pulling, the gamble would not only pay off in fan interest but would also draw more interest from athletes who need a shot at professional sports. The connections of some of the biggest names could easily make a spectacle out of the championship weekend just as big as the Super Bowl and they could do so without judgment.

The NFL might have a diversity problem, but if the XFL gets out in front of it they could bring about the change you rarely see in the world of sports.