The National Football League (NFL) has formed an alliance with American football league, XFL, in creating innovation opportunities to ‘advance the game of football’.
The partners have stated that they will create increased opportunities for player development both on and off the field, having a key focus on health and safety – regarding this as a ‘principal area’ in both learning and innovation.
The collaboration will also see ‘forward thinking’ physical and mental fitness programs for players, the study of playing surfaces and equipment and the sharing of game trends and data.
“The XFL has shown us that innovation is one of its core principles. We are hopeful that this relationship will support further development and improvements in the game of football at all levels,” noted Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations.
Furthermore, the partners will also work together in international football development and scouting and enhancement of officiating through testing of different rules for player protection and implementation of different technologies in a bid to improve its officiating.
The XFL had its inaugural season in 2020 before COVID-19 meant that the league had to pause its operations. Under new ownership led by actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, the organisation is set to resume in February next year.
Dany Garcia, Co-Owner and Chairwoman of the XFL, concluded: “We are extremely pleased to collaborate with the NFL in these important areas. We are bringing forward an XFL that is progressive and forward-thinking when it comes to innovation, leveraging the newest technology to enhance gameday experience.
“We have an open field for innovative rules to enhance in-game access. Sharing insights and practices between the XFL and NFL will do a tremendous amount of good for the game of football and support the player ecosystem overall.”
