As we reported earlier today here on eWn, the XFL held a conference call this morning and told all of their employees that they had been terminated. No questions were taken in a call that lasted for only around ten minutes. ESPN is reporting that there are no plans for a 2021 season. According to a prominent former XFL staffer, President & Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Pollack stopped short of saying the league was going out of business. But the strong implication was clear. “It’s done. It’s not coming back.”
Of course, the XFL prematurely ended its inaugural season last month due to the coronavirus pandemic. During today’s conference call, the word being used was that the company has “shut down.” The XFL will pay all of their employees through this Sunday.
Tom Pelissero from NFL Media said, “The XFL just held a conference call in which all employees were told the league is suspending operations. The word they used was ‘shut down’.”
NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo said, “Employees are being paid through Sunday. After that, could be curtains. There was no discussion of when operations could restart, source says.”
According to Konnor Fulk, only a “skeleton crew” remains at their headquarters in Stamford, CT:
NEWS: on a call today with COO Jeffery Pollock, XFL employees were just informed that the league is suspending operations and all employees have been laid off. Another sport impacted further by the current COVID-19 crisis.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 10, 2020
The XFL just held a conference call in which all employees were told the league is suspending operations. Said one: "The word they used was 'shut down'."
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 10, 2020
Employees are being paid through Sunday. After that, could be curtains. There was no discussion of when operations could restart, source says. https://t.co/nfaRuVPngC
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 10, 2020
Breaking News: The #XFL has terminated all of its employees. A small “skeleton crew” of league execs will continue to work at the CT HQ.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
The #XFL has suspended its Day to Day operations effective immediately and all team and league employees have been terminated
The statement was read to employees through a conference call by League President Jeffrey Pollack. No questions were taken. Call lasted all of 10 minutes
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
“This was the best launch of a sports league ever” – #XFL League President Jeffrey Pollack on the Zoom conference call informing employees of their termination and league status.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
. #XFL employees have been paid their accrued PTO amounts and have been paid through April 12th. Many employees felt like this was coming last night because they were deposited abnormally large amounts compared to a typical single pay period.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
I can confirm that #XFL employees no longer have access to their league emails or league communication platforms. Extremely fast turn around.
As stated in a previous Tweet, there will be a Skeleton crew of league execs that will remain at the Stamford, CT HQ.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
I have a ton of people asking me if this is the end of the #XFL ? Honestly, I have no clue. All I know is the facts:
1) Skeleton crew of execs remaining at CT HQ
2) Word for word was “Suspending all Day to Day operations”
3) No mention of 2021 on the conference call.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
The XFL just laid me off.
I really think I did some of the best work in social media this year, so this really hurts. If you need someone for social, written content, meme goofin’ or anything at all, I’m your guy.
DMs are open.
Email: [email protected] pic.twitter.com/FMt79teeMx
— B. W. Carlin (@BaileyCarlin) April 10, 2020
There was no conference call to the players about #XFL operation updates and no email sent to players as of 1 PM.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
Things are not looking good for #XFL players getting paid through the season.
I’m told be several player sources that they received larger checks than normal. That’s identical to the trends I’m hearing from league staff. Players telling me they got about $1,100 more than normal.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020
Let me rant for the moment: stop comparing AAF’s suspension of operations to the XFL’s suspension of operations.
One folded because they were going bankrupt and one is on a hiatus (could be temporary or could be permanent) because of a global f***ing pandemic. Stupid comparison.
— Konnor Fulk (@KonnorFulk_XFL) April 10, 2020