XFL is gearing up for the start of a highly anticipated season. The fans all over Los Angeles are all hyped to see the long-awaited LA Wildcats in action. During that time, the XFL committee has been working extremely hard to ensure the safety of the players and create innovation for the players. They plan to make the game faster, to make the game more exciting for the fans. The XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck mentioned that players are playing more swiftly, so he wants to adjust the rules to accommodate the players. Luck says, “If you watch professional Football and college, players are playing faster, it’s inevitable. Coaches have figured out that players play better when they are playing fast. We want to be apart of that. In terms of health and safety, I do believe the game is getting safer to play. I believe, at all levels, there has been a lot of time and effort into health and safety, we certainly have. In the football business, everyone is focused on making the game and safe as it can be.”
Luck consulted with his son Andrew Luck in the decision making process. Andrew Luck just recently retired from the NFL and is now providing insight to his dad with the XFL process. Luck said “I bounced a number of ideas off of him. Because he’s my son he will tell me where I’m wrong without any hesitation. He’s my unofficial advisor.”
Los Angeles Wildcats President Heather Brooks Karatz hosted a press luncheon and said, “I love the rule changes, I love the whole process we went through. It was thoughtful to make sure we are innovating the game, making it better, and enhancing it.” Karatz went on to say, “One of my favorites is overtime. Overtime is going to be set up like a shootout style as you see in Soccer, or in hockey. The idea being that Team A offense line s up at the 5 yard line against Team B defense. They run one play, they score. If they don’t then the ball goes to Team B, against Team A offense. That way every player on each team contributes to every play of the game. That’s important.” Karatz spoke on the meeting process. “It was a long process, where the league consulted players, coaches, football experts, fans, media partners. A lot of people came together to make sure we put the best product on the field.”
The games will be held in the Los Angeles Chargers stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park. “It’s a perfect venue for the LA Wildcats, and it’s super intimate, there is no bad seat in the house. Everyone is going to feel like they are on top of the action. It’s also a live room to tailgate. Our parking is only $20 dollars. We’re going to have a great fan festival that is adjacent to those parking lots. You are going to be able to bring your family to the cub’zone, also an adult section with cheap beer, partying, and good music,” said Karatz when asked about what it means to be playing in the Chargers stadium. The LA Wildcats’ first game is Feb. 16th at noon on ABC against the Dallas Renegades.
