Vince McMahon Was Once Suggested to Buy Arena Football League Instead of XFL Launch

Vince McMahon is known for investing heavily in his ventures, including pro wrestling and professional football. The XFL, his brainchild, had two unsuccessful attempts before The Rock and his investors turned it into branch of the UFL. Arena football remains an option if McMahon is seeking a new venture, and it was suggested to him a long time ago as well.

In 2000, Vince McMahon announced the XFL, leveraging WWE’s success from the Attitude Era to change the game of football. The league lasted one season. He revived it two decades later, but the pandemic halted its progress despite early momentum.

Former WWE President Stu Snyder, speaking to Eric Bischoff on 83 Weeks, recalled his initial meeting with McMahon and questioned the XFL decision. At the time, an arena football league was suggested instead of opening up his own deal.

“I said, ‘I do have a question? Can I ask you about this venture you just announced called XFL.’ He said, ‘Yes.’ Vince got very serious. ‘I’m trying to understand the positioning, the take, why you’re doing it and how does it fit into the job you want me to do? What’s the game plan?’ He explains it a little bit.”

“Vince is a genius from the standpoint of business and how he looked at life and things. I give him a lot of credit for a lot of things. He says, ‘I can tell by your question that you have some doubt.’”

“I said, ‘I have some questions because it sounds like it’s going to be very expensive, high risk. You have a very successful company. Did you ever think maybe of buying Arena Football League? You can control it, centralize it, it’s in arenas where WWE has tons of shows. You can leverage the arena fees. All of those things.’ He looks at me and just goes, ‘Arena Football is not football. Not even compared to football.’ At that point, I figured I blew it.”

Stu Snyder became WWE President despite his doubts about McMahon’s decision. McMahon’s tenure at WWE ended after Janel Grant filed a lawsuit, leading to significant changes.

McMahon has since stepped back from WWE, cashing in a significant portion of his stock. He no longer holds enough power to regain control of WWE. It remains to be seen if he will venture into arena football.

What are your thoughts on Vince McMahon possibly buying an arena football league? Should he stay away from this idea? Share your opinions in the comments section.