XFL Fires All Employees, Suspends Operations and Has No Plans to Return in 2021 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

The XFL is no longer operating.
The XFL is no longer operating. / Alika Jenner/Getty Images

The XFL's second go-round was a smashing success with football fans getting their fix shortly after the NFL season concluded. However, the coronavirus pandemic has complicated that with the entire sports world now on hold.

Unfortunately for the XFL, it's likely getting hit harder than the larger, more profitable organizations, so Vince McMahon was forced to fire all of the league's employees and suspend operations.

Despite the belief there'd be a 2021 season, that no longer seems to be the case after Friday's disappointing news. The XFL unfortunately doesn't have the luxury of being propped up by other sources of income at the moment. McMahon had prepared himself to keep the league going for a few seasons after learning from issues when he first launched the operation back in 2001. However, he certainly did not plan for a global pandemic affecting the economy at this magnitude.

With no current plans to return next year, it appears as if all the gear purchased in the last few months will once again be considered vintage.

But this is most of all disheartening for the players looking to get their second chance in the NFL. While some were able to, hundreds of others will no doubt be deprived of that with no opportunity beyond their five games in 2020.