Is this the end of the XFL? The league just fired all its employees

The XFL’s triumphant return looks to be short lived.

According to multiple Twitter reports, the league said internally it was suspending operations and laying off its employees.  The XFL kicked off it’s rebooted season this February, but had to cancel the remainder of their games on March 12 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now, a month later, it seems as if things could be at a more permanent end. Per reports, even though the league previously said it was committed to playing in 2021, that also looks to be doubtful.

With the league laying off its employees and suspended league operations indefinitely, it looks like the XFL might not come back.

Breaking: The XFL suspended operations Friday morning and laid off nearly all of its staff, multiple sources told @SeifertESPN and @FieldYates.

The league currently has no plans to return in 2021. pic.twitter.com/NxZbHAKRsM

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 10, 2020

After years of planning and building the league up, it might be gone in the blink of an eye just like the AAF and other non-NFL pro football leagues that have come and gone.

Of course, XFL fans were extremely upset about this. The league never really got a chance to find its niche before the virus shut everything down.

Rest In Peace, @xfl2020 It was a great ride while it lasted. And thank you @XFLRoughnecks : 2020 World Champs. https://t.co/NShbyVHYKk

— Ignacio (@igTXSalazar) April 10, 2020

Totally sucks about the XFL. Was a fun set of games with some real innovations. Lots of good people involved there

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) April 10, 2020

I didn't think the XFL would work again.
THEN…I watched the first weekend…
And the second…
And the third…
And, I actually believed it would work.
It's a shame. Thought this could have disrupted the college game.

— Dan Borrello (@danborrello) April 10, 2020

Will always wonder what would have happened if the season ended. Would they have survived? #XFL https://t.co/0sKWUJq7u5

— Nicholas Huba (@ACPressHuba) April 10, 2020

RIP XFL. You were too beautiful for this world. Again.https://t.co/hudIREvvDY

— David Onda (@David_Onda) April 10, 2020

As someone who’s been part of starting a football league, I can’t begin to tell you the time and energy that goes into it. You can have the best laid plan, then the unexpected arises and you have no control of the outcome. XFL employees: Be proud of your work. https://t.co/AlYNNLBuOI

— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) April 10, 2020

I hope the XFL makes a comeback at some point. Thought it was on to something good.

— Ben Kercheval (@BenKercheval) April 10, 2020

Hate hearing about the XFL. It had great potential for coaches and players.

— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) April 10, 2020

Maybe the league will come back someday. Maybe it won’t. Either way, you hate to see it go out this way. The league never got a chance to see if it could truly carve itself a niche and that’s a shame.