XFL keeps on getting bigger and better with the latest association of the NFL Alumni which will aim at developing the players with the help of its experienced coaches and players.
The XFL announced a partnership with the NFL Alumni Academy to develop players before their planned return to action in 2023. The exclusive agreement with the XFL is devised to train players who would become available to the league after the 2022 NFL season concludes.
The NFL Alumni Academy was established in 2020 to create a sort of pool of “NFL ready” free players that teams can draw from during the mid-season if any already-existing player(s) of a team faces an injury. They classify themselves as “an elite in-season training program” operating in the village of Canton, Ohio.
“This is a monumental partnership not only for the XFL, but for the entire football ecosystem,” XFL president Russ Brandon said in a statement. “The NFL Alumni Academy has found great success over the past two years training and mentoring up-and-coming players, many of whom have gone on to play in the NFL, and we are collaborating to create another avenue of opportunity for players to showcase their talent. We are completely aligned in our player-centric philosophy and we’re eager to continue to explore the bounds of this partnership.”
On average, NFL teams end up seeking to replace up to 500 active roster players each season. Many talented players are unable to make the 53-man rosters or 16-man practice squads to start the season. The academy will provide players who couldn’t make the cut in the first attempt, to stay ready to be called into action anytime during the league. They will provide the necessary training.
Co-owner of XFL, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also expressed his excitement via a tweet after the partnership was made official.
The Rock, who is quite passionate about the sport tweeted:
“Monumental partnership” as our @XFL partners w/ the @NFL’s Alumni Academy
This partnership will serve as a pipeline to the NFL in the fall and the XFL in the spring.
Man I’m excited for the players and our entire football ecosystem.
#XFL
#NFLAlumniAcademy
@espn
The exact terms of the partnership have not been revealed as yet, but it’s easy to notice how the deal can be beneficial to both organizations. The league is scheduled to have 8 teams.
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