The CFL has pulled the plug on its XFL partnership

The CFL has released a statement regarding their discussions with the XFL. It was widely speculated that the two football leagues were going to merge, but the leagues will apparently be navigating in different directions.

“Our talks with the XFL, exploring the potential for collaboration and innovation, have been positive and constructive. While we remain open to finding new ways to work together in the future, we and our XFL counterparts have jointly decided to not pursue any formal arrangements at this time.”

The proposed merger would have tried to open up exciting new opportunities for the game of football. Specifically, it would have allowed Canadian Football League teams to play games in the United States. But the rules of the actual game would have been altered, which was a sore point for many fans and insiders.

A number of teams, including the recently renamed Edmonton Elks, have voiced their support for the CFL’s decision.

The Edmonton Elks chime in on the proposed CFL x XFL merger

The 2021 CFL season will commence on Aug. 5. This year’s Grey Cup will be held in Hamilton, ON on Dec. 12.

The XFL, on the other hand, is currently slated to return for the 2023 season. The league is owned by Dany Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and RedBird Capital. Johnson is a CFL alumnus who played with the Calgary Stampeders but was cut from the team shortly into his career.

The Rock reminisces about his days on the Calgary Stampeders (PHOTO) — A young Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the Canadian Football League.

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