Chairman of WWF initiates new pro football league

Caroline Cinquino watching it was fun." staff writer

Vince McMahon, chairman of the World Wrestling Federation, announced that he is going to initiate a new pro football league, the XFL, in the spring of 200 I.

A news conference was scheduled in New York City to officially announce the new "Xtreme" Football League, which wi11play outdoors in United States cities such as Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Orlando and Miami. "This will be real American football on a I 00-yard field, but with a lot more fun and a lot more attitude," McMahon said. Reports reveal that McMahon has already obtained a television deal, which will allow the XFL to be broadcast nationwide. In the future, McMahon wishes to expand this venue to include Canada.

McMahon is starting the league due to his dissatisfaction with the current NFL which he believes gives "no regard for individuality." McMahon said, ''These days, the NFL is so over-regulated it's pasteurized. You can't show your exuberance. The league is turning gladiators into choir boys." McMahon also believes that the XFL is a good business decision. "One of my key motivations for starting the XFL is to bring a new brand of football, where the future tackles the past. It's a league devoted to returning football to the way it used to be, when

On Feb. 28, Billy Hicks signed as Vice President of Administration for the XFL. Hicks is no stranger to the sports business. He has experience working in the administrative aspect of sports including soccer, football and women's baseball. Hicks is enthusiastic about the new league and his opportunity to be a part of it. "I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to build professional sports leagues and franchises from scratch, and I believe that the XFL is on the right track for success. We believe that this new venture will excite sports fans across the country, and I'm proud to be a part of it," he said.

Basil De Vito, President of the XFL, said of Hicks, "Our talented XFL launch team is substantially stronger with the addition of Billy Hicks. His wealth of sports business savvy and experience in launching new leagues is a talent that few people can bring to a table."

Although McMahon's plans concerning the new league have generated little response from the NFL, the Canadian Football League president, Jeff Giles, has voiced concern. Giles told the Toronto Globe, ''They have to get their players from somewhere and I'm sure they'll be looking at us. I'm sure they can offer more than we can pay." However McMahon assured,

"this is not some ego-driven scheme to build a new league like we've seen in the past. I don't believe that you have to hire the most expensive players for recognition." McMahon explained that the new league would have eight teams consisting of former college players "who didn't get their chance." to make it in the NFL, as well as other athletes who did not attend college.

On the Cabrini front, WWF Monday night's "Raw is War" seems to be quite popular. Sources say that the house two lounge is occupied on Monday nights by WWF fans watching their favorite wrestlers battle it out. The question remains as to whether the XFL will spark a similar interest. Cabrini College student Mike Butler, a WWF fan, said that he is "very interested in how it turns out," and that he did not think the idea would be a failure. The reactions seem similar among fans all over the nation. University of Maryland student William Newkirk, also a WWF fan, believes the new league has "great potential."Newkirk says, ''The way that Vinnie Mac had set up the XFL had a lot of promise. Because it doesn't compete directly with football, the XFL should draw not only wrestling fans, but football fans as well. Vinnie Mac also promises faster action, looser rules, and fan participation; i.e., adding the attitude that has made wrestling