Choctaw Stadium falls peaceful because the hulking determine of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson takes to the grassland, microphone in hand.

The American soccer league is now owned by means of Johnson and his ex-wife Dany Garcia, who’re each right here for a “historic day”.

It has taken them 3 years to build an leading edge, ground-breaking league, which has given 400 gamers a probability to be successful the place Johnson failed – by means of making it to the NFL.

“I’ve been there when they told you that the dream is over,” Johnson tells the 2 groups. “But here’s the truth: your dream is just beginning.

“You’re going to turn the sector what it’s love to be really hungry, with that chip for your shoulder. I do know, as a result of I’ve were given that very same chip.”

Three months on, Johnson will be at Saturday’s championship game (01:00 BST, Sunday), when this season’s best players get one last opportunity to show just how hungry they are.

‘Soccer used to be getting to be our price ticket out’

Johnson could have transform a world-famous wrestling superstar and actor but before all that he wanted to be a professional football player.

Johnson played at the University of Miami, where he met Garcia, and helped them become national champions in 1991.

But after graduating in 1995, he was not selected in the NFL Draft. Despite then signing with a Canadian Football League team, Johnson was released two months into the 1995 season.

“This used to be our presen, popping out of college,” he said. “It used to be the dream to play games soccer and to produce it.

“That was going to be the ticket out. But it never happened for me and for us.”

In lieu, Johnson adopted his father’s footsteps into skilled wrestling day Garcia cast a a hit occupation in finance. And in spite of setting apart in 2007, they continue to be buddies and trade companions.

But Johnson’s failure to produce it to the NFL nonetheless rankles. In 2012 he and Garcia based a TV and picture manufacturing corporate referred to as Seven Greenbacks – the amount of cash Johnson had in his area when snip by means of the Calgary Stampeders.

It has additionally supplied the muse for the original iteration of the XFL.

Garcia makes historical past as first feminine proprietor

Till now, disagree second-tier US league has controlled to determine itself underneath the NFL, even if diverse spring leagues have tried to fill the soccer void nearest the Tremendous Bowl brings the curtain indisposed at the NFL season each and every February.

The XFL to begin with attempted in 2001, best to be unwanted nearest one season, and a remodeled XFL filed for chapter nearest the 2020 season used to be halted by means of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Garcia put the theory of shopping for the league to her ex-husband and, after they finished a $15m offer for the XFL’s belongings in August 2020, she changed into the primary feminine proprietor of a pro US sports activities league.

“We were going after something we were so passionate about, we were grinding through to get this acquisition,” she stated.

“All of a sudden it was done and I realised I’d made history. That wasn’t the intention, but it’s inspired me to make sure that it’s a moment that has meaning.”

She and Johnson nearest promised to bring a numerous, fan-first, fast moving league. They fasten a five-year broadcast offer with ESPN and the Walt Disney Workforce, and a multi-year partnership with Below Armour, who’re generating the uniforms for all 8 groups.

How is the XFL other?

Johnson has stated he needs there used to be a league just like the XFL round when he graduated as he “never got that shot to prove myself”.

Later escape faculty, many gamers who progress undrafted by no means play games once more. The similar is going for many who spend era on low season and apply squads with NFL groups, with out ever making their energetic roster.

However the XFL permits them to lengthen their taking part in careers, with some escape branch collect and meals supply jobs for any other probability to show off their ability to NFL scouts.

The league’s unused homeowners vowed to inform the tales of the ones gamers and develop their profiles by means of social media and a behind-the-scenes docuseries referred to as Participant 54, for which gamers and coaches had been mic’d up right through video games.

There are 53 gamers on an NFL roster and, like most of the XFL gamers, Johnson thought to be himself participant 54 – just right however no longer fairly just right enough quantity.

He wore a jersey numbered 54 on the season opener and the XFL tryouts, considered one of which inquisitive about gamers from traditionally dim faculties and universities (HBCUs).

The XFL has operated from a central hub in Arlington, Texas, giving all groups and gamers full-time get right of entry to to coaching amenities and hospital therapy, with the 8 groups travelling to their host towns each and every weekend.

The principles also are moderately other to the NFL, in a bid to produce American soccer each more secure and extra lively, and the XFL has indubitably to proportion its records and insights with the NFL to enhance the sport.

‘If any league homeowners can do it smartly, it’s them’

The guideline tweaks contributed to an exhilarating end to that season opener because the Vegas Vipers virtually pulled off a past due fightback on the Arlington Renegades.

Renegades mentor Bob Stoops joked that “The Rock called me with a minute to go and said ‘if you let them score it sure would help our TV ratings’, so we decided to make it interesting”.

For probably the most section, video games have persevered to be aggressive and lively. Crowds have averaged 14,176, with the St Louis Battlehawks having the most important, averaging 35,104.

Led by means of quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and working again Abram Smith, the DC Defenders completed with the most efficient report (9-1) earlier than they and the Renegades received the 2 play-off video games to achieve the championship recreation in San Antonio.

Talking this age, Johnson famous the XFL’s “steady growth” this season and stated the homeowners are “committed to playing the long game”.

Most likely their greatest luck has been that greater than 50 XFL gamers have already been invited to coach with NFL groups and compete for a place on after season’s roster.

“[The new owners] are wonderful people,” Stoops added. “You love the passion they have to continue to build this league and if anyone can do it well, it’s them.”