A major shock to the football world happened on March 10th. It was revealed that the Canadian Football League was exploring a working relationship with the XFL. However, many are wondering what a relationship between the CFL and XFL would look like.
“Canada has an exciting game and devoted fans, and our discussion with the XFL provides a tremendous opportunity to build on that strong foundation,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in the XFL’s statement. “We look forward to exploring how we might work with one of the most innovative sports brands in the world”
Neither said revealed what this relationship could look like. The only thing that was made known was that they are in the talking stages. Both leagues wanted to be transparent with their fanbases.
Some people are wondering if it may lead to some opportunities where the CFL and XFL teams could play against each other. Bovada got in on that debate, posting odds for whether or not a CFL team would play an XFL team in 2022.
Currently, the sportsbook is leaning towards that not happening at -550. The reason why fans may have to wait beyond 2022 is that the XFL isn’t scheduled to return from its hiatus until next year. It may take time to get things running before they think about inter-league games.
Will An XFL Team Play A CFL Team In 2022?
Odds via Bovada as of Thursday, March 11
- No – 550
- Yes +350
As it stands, Bovada doesn’t think that the CFL and XFL will play inter-league games by 2022. While it would be interesting to see, as well as bringing both Canadian and American fans together, there would be a lot of logistics to go through. First of all, would the teams be merging into one league? Secondly, do they decide that they’re playing with XFL or CFL rules depending on who is the home team?
Each league has unique roles that even differ from the NFL’s rulebook. Fans of either league wouldn’t want to see their beloved rules go out the window in a potential partnership.
There’s also off-field rules that differ. For example, the CFL requires each team to have at least 21 Canadians on the roster with seven of them in starting positions. If there was some type of playing relationship, would the XFL teams adopt the same rules? Or would it only apply to Canadian teams?
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Releases Statement
When Vince McMahon sold the XFL in 2020, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson partnered with Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital to buy the league for $15 million. On March 10, Johnson then released a statement on his Instagram about the XFL and CFL discussions.
Johnson went on to talk about how the CFL “changed” his life by making him realize that he wasn’t good enough to make the NFL. He wound up on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster, only to be cut. This realization would eventually lead to his path to WWE and Hollywood superstardom.
However, as an XFL owner, Johnson said that he’s excited to be working with the CFL. He said he wants to “create even greater and bigger opportunities for all our players and all our fans.”
“As an owner who’s had his hands in the dirt – my loyalty will always lie with the players and fans,” Johnson said on Instagram. “I’ll keep you posted as our XFL/CFL discussions unfold.”
“Got your back.”
