This afternoon, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, along with XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck and NCAA president Mark Emmert, announced a partnership to create the first three-tier football system in North America. The announcement comes on the heels of the Coronavirus outbreak which saw the XFL cancel its inaugural season.
The new league features a promotion and relegation system similar to European soccer leagues. All salary caps as well as scholarship and roster restrictions have been eliminated.
“This is an exciting opportunity for all three leagues to compete to be the best team in football,” said Goodell. “There will no longer be a feeder system or a ‘football factory.’ It’s every team for itself.”
“We figure since some of our kids in the ‘Power Five’ programs are getting paid, they should have the right to be paid more,” said Emmert. “Oh, shoot… I probably shouldn’t have said that out loud…”
Luck waived off questions during the press conference as he was playing Call of Duty on his Xbox.
“CALL OF DUTY!!!!!” yelled Luck while throwing up devil horns and returning to his game.
League Tiers
League consolidation gives the game of football the largest sports competition in North American sports. The association will be the National American X Association Football League (NAXAF).
“Premier” teams: NFL teams like Kansas City and New England an NCAA “Power Five” conference teams such as Alabama and Clemson will be “Premier” teams.
“The Championship:” Other NFL teams such as the Indianapolis and Dallas as well as “Group of Five” teams such as Appalachian State and Memphis will be “The Championship” teams.
“League One:” Meanwhile, “lower-level” NFL teams such as the Cleveland and Tampa Bay as well as “Bottom 10” NCAA teams such as UMass and Rutgers will join “League One.” XFL teams will also participate in “League One.”
“This is the ultimate competition in all of football,” said XFL founder and WWE CEO Vince McMahon. “Even though it kinda sucks that XFL teams will be in “LeAgUe OnE,” we’re gonna fight to get to Premier status.”
“I’m looking forward to ensuring that all former NFL teams buy their way up to Premier status,” noted Goodell.
“OLIVERRRRRRRRR JEEEEEEEEEEEENKIIIIIIIIINS!” yelled Luck as the press conference rounded up.
(Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone.)
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