The XFL announced on Monday that it has come to a collaboration agreement with the NFL. In a press release from the XFL, the partnership’s plan is to provide “select innovation programs to further expand the game of football and create increased opportunities for player development both on and off the field.”

Dany Garcia co-owner and chairwoman of the XFL, said: “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.”

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent said in a statement: “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.”  The statement outlines plans for the two organizations to work together on physical and mental health programs for players, studying different playing surfaces and equipment, development football on an international scale and testing different game rules to enhance player safety.

The XFL announced in July of 2021 that it had plans to return again for a third time, having previously run one season in 2001 under Vince McMahon before the league folded.  In 2018, it was announced the XFL would return in early 2020, led by Oliver Luck. However, the league was suspended mid-season in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the league filed for bankruptcy a month later, it was sold to a group consisting of Garcia, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Gerry Cardinale in August of 2020.

The XFL is set to return in February 2023.

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