ORLANDO, Fla. – WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced Thursday that he plans to launch a re-imagined version of the XFL, a football league that only ran for one year in 2001.
McMahon said during a press call Thursday that his investment company, Alpha Entertainment, would start up the pro football league sometime in 2020.
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The first time the XFL was founded in 1999, it was a joint venture between the WWE, McMahon and NBC. The broadcast network later pulled its support.
McMahon said there is no broadcast partner yet for the new XFL.
This time around, the league will be separate from the WWE, wrestling league officials said, and will be spearheaded by Alpha Entertainment.
McMahon said there will be a lot of differences between the NFL and the new XFL, including the "quality of player." No players will be allowed to have a criminal record and must conform to a XFL rule book, which includes standing for the National Anthem.
"This has nothing to do with politics," the WWE chairman said. "We want good football, that's what we'll deliver."
Former NFL players like Tim Tebow would also be welcome to join the league, McMahon said.
Orlando Rage team member Rich Young shows off his washboard abs during a pep rally for the new XFL Orlando Rage February 2, 2001 in Orlando, Florida. The pep rally was held at Universal Studio's Citywalk. The XFL Season starts February 3, 2001. Photo by Preston Mack/Newsmakers/Getty
The 2001 XFL offered a rogue and rougher alternative to the NFL, playing in the spring.
"The XFL failed in large part due to a confluence of misfortunes including technical difficulties, miscast announcers, changing the rules during the season and McMahon's decision to go to the extreme by bringing adult themes into the game -- such as overtly sexualizing the cheerleaders," CBS Sports writer Adam Silverstein wrote.
During the short life of the XFL, the Orlando Rage was one of eight franchise teams, playing at the then-Citrus Bowl.
It's unclear if Orlando will be among the selected franchises, but McMahon said during a 3 p.m. call with the media that "every city is in our radar," even cities with NFL franchises.
"We're gonna go where the fans want to go," McMahon said of the criteria for franchise cities.
Orlando city officials told News 6 that they had not been contacted about an XFL team returning to the City Beautiful, but would be interested.
"This would certainly be an opportunity we would be interested in discussing and possibly bringing to our city venues," Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's press secretary Cassandra Lafser said.