XFL partnering with NFL for innovation, player safety

The NFL and XFL have agreed to a partnership centered around innovating the sport and protecting the health of players, the latter announced Monday.

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," XFL co-owner and chairwoman Dany Garcia said in a statement.

"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."

The collaboration will involve physical and mental fitness programs, the study of playing surfaces and equipment, and the sharing of game trends and data.

XFL president Russ Brandon told ESPN's Kevin Seifert that the league will act as a "petri dish" for the NFL to try out innovative ideas surrounding safety, officiating, rules, and development.

The deal does not involve potential player sharing or the XFL being set up as a developmental league for the NFL, according to Seifert.

The XFL is set to resume in February 2023 after being bought by Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, and RedBird Capital Partners. Under former owner and WWE chairman Vince McMahon, the league returned briefly in 2020 before declaring bankruptcy after ceasing operations due to COVID-19.

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