For a second-straight year, an upstart professional football league is calling it quits after less than one full season.
Like the AAF last year, the XFL is folding midway through its inaugural season, albeit under very different circumstances. The league fell victim to the COVID-19 crisis.
NEWS: on a call today with COO Jeffery Pollock, XFL employees were just informed that the league is suspending operations and all employees have been laid off. Another sport impacted further by the current COVID-19 crisis.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 10, 2020
The league already suspended play in early March, advising players that they can sign immediately with NFL teams or teams in any other league, but XFL commissioner Oliver Luck said the league is "committed to playing a full season in 2021 and future years."
A month later, that's no longer the case.
The league is suspending operations and laying off all employees with no plans to play a season in 2021.
This means the three Buckeyes in the league, quarterback Cardale Jones, cornerback Doran Grant and defensive tackle Tracy Sprinkle (all with the DC Defenders) will be looking for other opportunities.
