Multiple sources (ESPN’s Field Yates and Kevin Seifert) have confirmed that the XFL is suspending “day to day operations” and will be terminating the majority of their employees.
XFL COO Jeffery Pollock held a conference call to read a statement and per ESPN’s Field Yates, Pollock said employees were informed of the decision on Friday.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo also reported that the XFL will pay employees through Sunday, but there is no confirmation on whether or not the league will return in 2021 and beyond.
In an audio of the call from Jeffrey Pollack to employees, he said “it’s been no secret how quickly and dramatically the pandemic has affected all of our lives, the lives of so many others, and and the operations of professional sports leagues in the United States and around the world.”
“The XFL as an entity has been hard hit and is affected more directly than most in the sport industry,” Pollack told staffers. “We had no alternative than to stop right in the middle of our first season, just as we were continuing to build our foundation and our future. As a result of the pandemic’s impact and given the uncertainty we are now living with and facing, the decision has been to immediately suspend day-to-day operations of the XFL in Stamford and each of our eight markets. What this means is that everyone’s employment by the XFL is terminated, effective today.”
Pollack then told employees that funds had been deposited into their bank accounts, “providing your earned, but unpaid salary through April 12, plus payment for accrued and unused vacation time.”
A “small skeleton” staff will be present in Stamford, Conn. to allow employees to collect personal belongings from the XFL office, though the coronavirus prevention measures in place mean that the logistics of that move have yet to be determined.
Pollack assured them that the layoffs “had nothing to do with your performance or what was achieved.” He ended by saying that it has “been my absolute pleasure and honor to work to know and work with all of you… I appreciate, love and respect you all.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated as XFLBoard continues to receive credible information
