Most people wouldn't dare to take on the might of the NFL, but then again Vincent K Mcmahon can't be classified as most people. The most successful wrestling promoter in sports entertainment history is determined to exapnd the legacy of his hugely successful WWFE company and the NFL better watch out.
Vince Mcmahon is a determined individual a man who doesn't know the meaning of quitting. A few years back his World Wrestling Federation was on the brink of financial oblivion as the Time Warner juggernaut threatened to destroy all he had built up.
Did the man quit hell no to coin a phrase from one of his most popular wrestlers Stone Cold Steve Austin. Instead he did what few people would do he took on Time Warner took a gamble with a edgier product, unleashed Mike Tyson on the wrestling public and the rest as they say is history.
If history tells us anything about Vince Mcmahon it tells us that he is the type of man that will not lie down he has shown in the 80's and 90's and now in the new millenium he has the unique ability to touch base with America's most prized demographic its youthful and high spending males.
The NFL is no different to the Time Warner machine and they cannot take the XFL threat too lightly. Sure the XFL is a winter league at the moment but don't think for a second the league will not expand if it is a hit with the public. Vince Mcmahon knows what people want and 9 times out of 10 he delivers.
What will Vince Mcmahon bring to football that the NFL does not provide is the question on the mind of all the pundits. For one Vince Mcmahon will bring a marketing knowledge that is second to none in attracting the audiences advertisers are clammering to reach. Secondly Vince Mcmahon brings through his WWFE vehicle arguably the best production team in sports entertainment. If you are not a wrestling fan try watching WWF Raw on Monday nights from a purely aesthetic view and you will have no doubts it is one of the best produced shows on television. From the immensely entertaining video highlights and history promos to the on screen graphics and most importantly capturing the intensity of the competitors and the public the WWF production crew has proved few can match it in the big match stakes.
The critics didn't doubt Mcmahon's ability to woo the public they doubted his ability to take the league national, step in NBC. NBC provides the perfect bed fellow for the rebellious Mcmahon. A trusted network, guarenteed exposure but most importantly increased credibility. In tandem they are a major threat to the NFL.
The XFL was discounted from the get go as another start up doomed to failure but slowly those same critics are re assessing their initial comments. With the addition of NBC, the marketing power of the WWF brand and the geniusa of Mcmahon this Winter is gonna be the hottest in years. Will the XFL league be a success only time will tell judging from the responses to our poll the answer is yes it will. maybe the NFL should get in touch with Time Warner who know the true ability of a man named Mcmahon

STAMFORD, Conn./CHICAGO--(BW SportsWire)--June 13, 2000--The XFL, a new professional football league jointly owned and operated by World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NMS: WWFE) and NBC, announced today that its inaugural season will launch on February 3, 2001 with a team in Chicago. The XFL also announced that it has reached an agreement, in principle, for the team to play all five regular season home games and potential playoff games at Chicago's legendary Soldier Field.
``Few cities can match Chicago's enthusiasm for pro football and we couldn't be happier to bring our brand of football to this great city and its fans,'' said Basil V. DeVito Jr., President of the XFL. ``The opportunity to play at one of the preeminent football stadiums in the country - Soldier Field - was a key component in our decision to bring the XFL to Chicago. We're looking forward to adding many new chapters to the long history of Soldier Field.''
``The addition of the XFL to our roster of events at Soldier Field is a win-win for everyone, including the city of Chicago,'' said Bob Glazebrook, General Manager of Soldier Field. ``This gives us an opportunity to extend the use of our facility for one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of the year. The XFL secures a home in one of the most celebrated football cities in the country. Most importantly, the great fans of Chicago get three more months of professional football.''

Company Press Release
XFL Names Former Bears Executive Ken Valdiserri as VP/GM of Chicago Team
STAMFORD, Conn./CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2000--The XFL, a new professional football league jointly owned and operated by World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NMS: WWFE) and NBC, has named Ken Valdiserri as Vice President and General Manager of the Chicago team. As the team's principal front office executive, Valdiserri will direct all aspects of the team's operations and be responsible for building a winning and successful organization.
``The Chicago team just became a lot stronger today with the addition of Ken as the team's Vice President and General Manager,'' said Basil V. DeVito, Jr., President of the XFL. ``Ken brings a wealth of football experience and hometown knowledge. We anticipate that he is going to be instrumental in the success of the team and the XFL overall. The city of Chicago and football fans everywhere are in for a treat when the XFL kicks off in February.''
``I'm elated to be part of this new venture involving the powerful and resourceful business alliance of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment and NBC,'' said Valdiserri. ``It's a big challenge, and I'm looking forward to it.''
Prior to joining the XFL, Ken worked with the National Football League's Chicago Bears for 16 years. He joined the team in 1984 as Director of Public Relations, and in 1989 assumed the role of Director of Marketing and Broadcasting.
In that post, Ken engineered the team's broadcast, marketing, promotional and merchandise efforts; supervised all of the corporate sponsorship programs; and was responsible for the production and advertising sales of all in-house television and radio broadcast properties. He oversaw the development of the team's annual marketing plan, including budgeting and revenue projections. Following the 1999 season, he negotiated the Bears' new three-year contract with CBS Radio to broadcast games locally. During his tenure as the team's Director of Public Relations, he was involved in all aspects of the team's 1985 Super Bowl Championship season and served as a production coordinator of the infamous Super Bowl Shuffle.
In 1981, Ken joined the Chicago White Sox organization as the team's assistant director of Public Relations. His lengthy sports background began in 1980 as an administrative assistant in the Commissioner's Office for Major League Baseball.
Ken, 42, resides in Willamette, Illinois, with his wife Annika, and two children, Niklas (5) and Emma (1). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: XFL VP Corporate Communications Steve Griffith, 203-353-5020 or XFL Public Relations Greg Vasey, 203-352-8776 E-mail this story - View

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The XFL hasn't seen a ball been kicked yet it already has all the critics talking here are just some of the comments about America's hottest news sports concept.

"…and the bet here is that one of NBC’s highest-rated programs will be ‘Saturday Night XFL’ next winter…" Nick Cafardo, The Sunday Boston Globe

"Sources in the broadcast industry say it's not hard to understand why NBC is now partnered with the WWF for the new league...the chance to put on a sport that has the potential to draw a huge, young male audience made the XFL more than a viable idea." Leonard Shapiro, The Washington Post

"If you are a traditional sports fan who can remember the days Roger Staubach played for the Cowboys, you will watch. You will tune in to the network primetime, Saturday night debut of...the XFL in February." Barry Horn, The Dallas Morning News

"I believe the combination of these two organizations (WWF & NBC) will make XFL football one of the best built brands in all of sports." Vince McMahon, Chairman World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc.

"The absolute key to the success of this league lies in the incredible success Vince McMahon has had throughout his career in reaching the most elusive audience in television…young males." Dick Ebersol, Chairman NBC Sports and Olympics

"We're talking about bringing the best football people at the highest possible level. Make no mistake about it, we are going to do this in a big way." Basil DeVito, President XFL

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