The XFL announced on Tuesday its health advisory committee comprised initially of experts in neurology, mental health, and orthopedics.
The league will kick off its season in February with eight teams. WWE honcho Vince McMahon is behind the launch of the league by the same name as the one that failed in 2001.
The founding members of the committee are Dr. Julian Bailes; Dr. Larry Lemak; and Dr. Claudia Reardon, representing the fields of neurosurgery, orthopedics and mental health. Dr. Bailes will serve as Chief Medical Advisor.
“The health and safety of our players is an important focus on our path to reimagine football and deliver a great product to fans when we kick off in February 2020,” XFL Commissioner & CEO Oliver Luck said in a statement. “Putting in place the right experts and medical professionals is key. Our health advisory committee will work closely with our football operations department to create protocols and build best practice guidelines that put player health and safety at the forefront of everything we do.”
The league also appointed Daniel Wright, most recently the Head Athletic Trainer for the Milwaukee Brewers, as Vice President of Health and Safety. In addition to the Brewers, Wright has held athletic training positions at either the minor or major league-level for the Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants.
