The XFL, which has shut down operations for the 2020 season, announced that a player on the Seattle Dragons tested positive for COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.
The player, who remained nameless, played in both of the team’s most recent games on February 29 and March 7. They self-reported symptoms on Tuesday and have been in quarantine ever since, and the results came out on Friday.
It’s unclear if this player’s symptoms played a part in the league’s decision to cease operations. However, considering the decisions made by the NCAA, the MLS, the MLB and the NBA, it’s unlikely the XFL would have continued playing regardless.
Playing in their first rebooted season since 2001, Vince McMahon’s XFL was enjoying a successful campaign, with lucrative tv deals and rule changes that had many fans interested in the product on the field.
However – recovering from a partial season and all the lost revenue from ticket sales, concessions and tv will be difficult, especially with the league pledging to pay their players in full despite not completing the season.
