XFL’s Seattle Dragons Open Season Saturday, FAQs

The second incarnation of WWE mogul Vince McMahon's Extreme Football League (XFL) kicks off Saturday (Feb. 8) when Seattle's team, the Dragons, face the Defenders in Washington, D.C.

Here are some things to know to familiarize yourself with the team and the league in general.

Saturday's league opener will be televised on ABC-TV at 11 a.m. Games will also be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, FOX, FS1 or FS2.

The Seattle Dragons Head Coach and General Manager is former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn. The team is one of eight in the league that will compete in a 10-week season that will culminate with two rounds of playoffs to crown the champion.
A ninth team comprised of practice squad players will practice together throughout the year and can be picked up by any team due to injury, etc. Northwest football fans will recognize former Washington Huskies wide receiver Kasen Williams on the Dragons roster as well.

The commissioner of the league is former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck, father of recently retired Indianapolis Colts star Andrew Luck. The XFL has stated emphatically that they are NOT trying to compete with the NFL and hope that their players can continue to develop to eventually get a job in the NFL. Most players will make a salary of $55,000.

There will be some significant rule differences from the NFL designed to create more excitement as well as speed up the pace of play. The XFL will offer offenses the chance to go for 1, 2 or 3 points following a touchdown.
ESPN.com has a more in-depth article about changes to kickoffs, replay and more.

Betting on XFL games will also be allowed and will include two live, in-game "BetCasts" that will include real-time odds each week.