Year Sixteen Financial Report Released
August 1, 2016
New York, NY -
Joe Pendry Named General Manager of Birmingham Steel
August 25, 2016
Birmingham, AL - The XFL announced Joe Pendry as general manager, Birmingham Steel. Pendry most recently served in an advisory role with the Alabama Crimson Tide after three season as assistant head coach and offensive line coach. "We have placed an emphasis on bringing in front office staff with the experience needed to identify top talent and build a highly competitive team, and that's reflected in hiring Joe," said Jim Speros, Steel owner. "Joe has spent over forty years on college and NFL sidelines working closely with players and knows what it takes to build a strong team and compete at a high level. With Joe Pendry and Tim Lewis at the helm, we look forward to seeing what the Steel can achieve on and off the field."
"This is an amazing opportunity to build something special here in Birmingham, Alabama, and the work is already underway," said Pendry. "Football is king in Alabama and we know when it comes time for our first snap, we'll have a loyal and energetic fanbase behind us. We are committed to putting a product on the field that they will be proud to support."
Trent Richardson Selected by Birmingham Steel in Territorial Draft
October 2, 2016
Birmingham, AL - Former NFL RB Trent Richardson signed with Birmingham Steel of the XFL, the league announced. Richardson, the third overall pick in the 2012 draft, hasn't played an NFL regular-season game since 2014. The 28-year-old ran for 2,032 yards and 17 touchdowns over three seasons. Prior to arriving in the NFL, Richardson was a star for the Alabama Crimson Tide, finishing third in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting.
"Excited about this," Richardson said. "Another opportunity for my professional career. Happy to be doing something that I really love doing, especially in Alabama and in Birmingham, which is a home away from home for me."
"When a team like Birmingham gets a star like Trent Richardson, we think that will be something that would be a significant gate attraction," XFL Commissioner Scott Butera said.
San Antonio Commanders Waive College Allocation Rights of Johnny Manziel
October 3, 2016
San Antonio, TX - The San Antonio Commanders have waived the college allocation rights of quarterback Johnny Manziel, announced general manager Louis Riddick. "We have decided not to exercise our rights to protect Johnny Manziel as a San Antonio Commander," said Riddick.
"When I took this job as general manager of the Commanders there were foundational experiences from my career as a player and as a broadcaster that I would not deviate from. There were also things that I would have to learn from my experience on the job. One of the most important things I have already learned is when there is an opportunity to get better, you get better. The challenge is finding the balance in what I know and what I have learned and finding the best solution to get better as a team. I truly believe that the moves necessary to add Johnny to our roster do not make us better at this time. I wish Johnny all the best within the XFL and we look forward to competing against him in the future."
"I'd pass on him here," said Daryl Johnston, Oklahoma City Roughnecks general manager. "For me the chemistry in the locker room is critical, and especially the quarterback position. He kind of sets the tone, especially for the offensive side of the ball, but really for the whole team. There is so much added responsibility that goes with the face, goes with the voice of the franchise. And I haven't seen that from Johnny on a consistent basis that I would feel comfortable committing to him."
Memphis Gets Manziel: Heisman QB Joins Alliance
October 20, 2016
Memphis, TN - Memphis is making a big splash at quarterback by drafting former Heisman Trophy winner and Cleveland Browns signal-caller Johnny Manziel with the first selection in the Supplemental Draft.
"We are pleased to welcome Johnny Manziel to the Memphis Express," said general manager Will Lewis. "We completed extensive background work to determine whether it would be appropriate for Johnny to play this season, and after consulting with many people familiar with his situation, we concluded that it would be good for him to resume his pro football career here in Memphis. He will report to Memphis next month, where we all believe he'll benefit from the coaching and mentorship of Dan Quinn."
"We're a league of opportunity, so we're looking for players in need of opportunity and giving them a path back to the NFL," XFL Commissioner Michael Huyghue said. "Johnny is the epitome of a generational player who has had his struggles, both personal on and off the field. We think there's an opportunity in a league like ours with the type of leadership like a Dan Quinn, as will be his coach in Memphis, to really give him an opportunity to play."
Breakers Starting RB Joe McKnight Slain
December 1, 2016
Terrytown, LA - Los Angeles Breakers starting running back Joe McKnight was murdered in a road rage incident while visiting his hometown in Louisiana. The former 5 star recruit and USC football standout was only 28 years old at the time of his death. The sad offseason continues for the Wildcats who also lost their head coach Dennis Green just a few months ago.
I Won’t Baby Johnny Manziel
January 4, 2017
Memphis, TN - Johnny Manziel could make his debut next month for the Memphis Express and Memphis head coach Dan Quinn wants Manziel to know it’s his responsibility to have himself ready. Quinn said he’s been clear with Manziel that he’s going to succeed or fail on his own merits in what might be his last chance as a professional football player. “I don’t want to baby him,” Quinn. “This is an opportunity for him to take advantage of, and if for any reason he’s not at the place to stand and really want this and is really willing to work for it, then it’s not going to work anyway. I’m hoping this time he’s ready and I really feel he is. I’m excited to see where he goes.”
Manziel said he appreciated Quinn being straight with him about his expectations, from his first day of practice with the Express. “This is a guy who has known me for one day,” Manziel said, “and he genuinely cares about my success and about me as a person, not just football.”
CFL Roughriders sign QB Vince Young from XFL
February 3, 2017
Regina, SASKATECHEWAN, CANADA - The Saskatchewan Roughriders are giving QB Vince Young a chance to continue his professional football career. The CFL’s Roughriders announced that they have signed the 33-year-old Young. Terms of the deal weren’t announced. Young, a two-time Pro Bowl selection during his NFL career, has played for the San Antonio Commanders and Dallas Renegades of the XFL since 2012. In Saskatchewan, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Young joins a quarterbacking crew that currently includes Bryan Bennett, Brandon Bridge, Kevin Glenn, GJ Kinne and Jake Waters.
XFL Signs Two Big Time CFL Free Agents
February 6, 2017
New York, NY - The XFL didn't plan on being huge players in the CFL market but they couldn't help themselves after recent comments from CFL executives from signing two of the CFL's best free agents, OT Derek Dennis and DL Cleyon Laing along with two backup signal callers. Laing was ranked as the 15th best CFL free agent based on his potential at only 26 years old. Laing was a dominant interior defensive lineman last season for the Ottawa Redblacks. Laing will be suiting up for the Seattle Dragons. Dennis was ranked as the 6th overall CFL free agent coming off a season where he was named Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Dennis spent last season anchoring the league's best offensive line, while protecting the blind side of the league's MVP Bo Levi Mitchell for the 2016 CFL Champions, Calgary Stampeders. Dennis signed with the New York Guardians.
The league also tried to sign the 20th ranked CFL Free Agent Offensive Tackle Greg Van Roten, but he decided to sign with the NFL's Carolina Panthers instead.
