Merger timeline speculation

[Rmbay]

If it's actually true the governmental hold-up is over the amount of teams, which does seem a bit far-fetched given neither league is established enough to possibly afford it, then having more teams would undoubtedly require more investors. Might this have necessitated Vince buying back in? Probably a long shot, but the timing is interesting.

[GregParks]

Here's something interesting from an actual media source. According to him the XFL is moving ahead for 2024 regardless of a merger. I'm thinking, if the merger is indeed delayed until 2025, one or both leagues plays a condensed schedule (6-8 regular season games) to cut expenses and give ample time to prep for 2025.

Good find. I’m not sure there’s much to read into it one way or another: “…the XFL is moving ahead for 2024 regardless of a merger” has been the public messaging from the league dating back to that first press release. So I would expect those at the team level would be receiving that exact message from the league as reporting has only the tippy-top folks in both leagues being “in the know.”

My concern is if there is no merger (or if it’s delayed til ‘25), you’ve still got the Vegas situation (including the need to hire new folks locally, wherever that might be), Houston’s stadium, and the draft as stuff that would need to be clarified very soon to operate a stand-alone 2024 season.

[4th&long]

Here's something interesting from an actual media source. According to him the XFL is moving ahead for 2024 regardless of a merger. I'm thinking, if the merger is indeed delayed until 2025, one or both leagues plays a condensed schedule (6-8 regular season games) to cut expenses and give ample time to prep for 2025.

Good find. I’m not sure there’s much to read into it one way or another: “…the XFL is moving ahead for 2024 regardless of a merger” has been the public messaging from the league dating back to that first press release. So I would expect those at the team level would be receiving that exact message from the league as reporting has only the tippy-top folks in both leagues being “in the know.”

My concern is if there is no merger (or if it’s delayed til ‘25), you’ve still got the Vegas situation (including the need to hire new folks locally, wherever that might be), Houston’s stadium, and the draft as stuff that would need to be clarified very soon to operate a stand-alone 2024 season.

If the merger goes thru but not effective till 2025 why would the XFL have teams in 2024 that won't make it to the 2025 merged league? The USFL 'guest hub' teams make it more cost effective for them.

In that case the XFL could have 5-6 teams playing in a scaled down 2024. Though if they merge I'm sure they want it in time for 2024 ie both sides.

[4th&long]

Perhaps we'll hear something before the calendar flips to Dec?

[XFLUSFLGUY]

When is the last possible date that this supposed merger can be done by in time for the 2024 season or is that unknown as well?

[Rmbay]

Here's something interesting from an actual media source. According to him the XFL is moving ahead for 2024 regardless of a merger. I'm thinking, if the merger is indeed delayed until 2025, one or both leagues plays a condensed schedule (6-8 regular season games) to cut expenses and give ample time to prep for 2025.

Good find. I’m not sure there’s much to read into it one way or another: “…the XFL is moving ahead for 2024 regardless of a merger” has been the public messaging from the league dating back to that first press release. So I would expect those at the team level would be receiving that exact message from the league as reporting has only the tippy-top folks in both leagues being “in the know.”

My concern is if there is no merger (or if it’s delayed til ‘25), you’ve still got the Vegas situation (including the need to hire new folks locally, wherever that might be), Houston’s stadium, and the draft as stuff that would need to be clarified very soon to operate a stand-alone 2024 season.

If the merger goes thru but not effective till 2025 why would the XFL have teams in 2024 that won't make it to the 2025 merged league? The USFL 'guest hub' teams make it more cost effective for them.

In that case the XFL could have 5-6 teams playing in a scaled down 2024. Though if they merge I'm sure they want it in time for 2024 ie both sides.

I think the answer to this may be that they wouldn't exactly know which teams would make the cut for 2025. For instance, they could move Vegas somewhere and wind up being wildly successful. Or a potential quality owner might emerge who is willing to buy the Sea Dragons and wants to keep them in Seattle.

The endgame here is selling franchises. Yeah they want to be cost effective but they've come into this fully knowing (and prepared) to lose money for the first 2-3 years. They'll try to control that as much as possible but there might be a line there as to how many franchises and markets they feel they need to showcase. And to that end none of us know what type of franchise interest is going on behind the scenes.