Add the startup (or re-startup?) XFL to the list of sports leagues that are suspending play. The Vince McMahon-owned league is canceling the remainder of its inaugural regular season after completing half of its scheduled 10-week schedule of games, ESPN reports.
The regular-season was initially scheduled to finish on April 12 before postseason play started.
While the XFL didn't specifically mention COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) as the reason for the stoppage, it is safe to assume concerns over the spread of the virus were the cause. The NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS have all already suspended play, at least temporarily. The NCAA announced on Thursday that the upcoming tournament games for Division I men's and women's basketball would also be canceled, ending March Madness.
While XFL players are free to sign with NFL teams after passing exit physicals, they will receive their base pay and benefits for the regular season, and the league is committed to returning in 2021. NFL teams were initially not permitted to sign XFL players until April 27.
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"The XFL is committed to playing a full season in 2021 and future years," the league said via a statement.
This was the XFL's first return since the league suspended operations after one season in 2001.
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Thursday that they are joining other teams in closing their facilities and home stadiums, instructing staff to work remotely, and telling team scouts to return home.
While the NFL canceled upcoming league meetings scheduled to begin later this month in Florida, there has been no change to the scheduled start date of the new league year, which coincides with the start of free agency, or next month's NFL Draft.
The new league year begins on March 18 with teams after to negotiate contracts with player representatives starting on March 16. The NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
