2001 XFL Season, Miscellaneous Photos

Vince McMahon, chairman of the World Wrestling Federation, speaks during a news conference Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, in New York. The WWF announced plans for an eight-team pro football league, to be known as the XFL, that plans to kickoff next winter and lure fans unable to go cold turkey after the Super Bowl.

(AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

Drew Pearson, left, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, tosses a football in the air as Vince McMahon, center, chairman of the World Wrestling Federation, and Michael F. Keller, former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, looks on during a news conference Thursday, Feb. 3, 2000, in New York. The WWF announced plans for an eight-team pro football league, to be called the XFL, that plans to kickoff next winter and lure fans unable to go cold turkey after the Super Bowl. Pearson is on the XFL advisory committee and Keller is the vice president of league operations.

(AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus talks to reporters in Chicago, in this July 19, 2000 photo. Butkus is the XFL director of football competition. The XFL debuts Saturday Feb. 3, 2001.

(AP Photo/Charles Bennett)

NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is shown in an August 25, 2000 photo.

(AP Photo)

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura enjoys a laugh Thursday, Nov. 16, 2000 in Golden Valley, Minn., where it was announced that he will be an announcer for NBC Sports' telecasts of the new XFL football league which is a joint venture between NBC and the World Wrestling Federation.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is shown at a press conference in Golden Valley, Minn., in this Nov. 16, 2000, photo.

Tuesday 27 March 2001:
NBC Sports president Dick Ebersol said Sunday that the network is considering pulling the plug on the XFL if ratings don't improve during the new football league's playoffs games next month. "If they choose to cancel it, that's their call," Ventura said during an interview on Minnesota Public Radio on Tuesday, March 27, 2001.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura laughs during an interview at the State Capitol in St. Paul, in this Feb. 13, 2001, photo.

Monday 19 March 2001:
In many ways, Minnesota's governor in 2001 is the same defiant outsider who crashed state government with his stunning election in 1998. Despite his numerous outside jobs, including his role as an analyst for the new XFL football league, Ventura maintains a high approval rating and would probably be a big favorite if he seeks a second term.

(AP Photo/Jim Mone)

XFL President Basil V. DeVito expresses confidence in the future of the XFL, at the Orlando Rage's offices Friday, April 13, 2001, in Orlando, Fla. With league co-owner NBC issuing a warning that it may drop its coverage if viewership doesn't increase for the playoffs, which begin Saturday night, DeVito realizes how important this weekend is for the league's future. The scant number of television viewers is only part of the XFL's story, DeVito said. Look at the attendance at the games, look at the amount of merchandise sold.

(AP Photo/Grace Robinette)

XFL President Basil V. DeVito Jr. expresses confidence in the future of the league during a news conference at the Orlando Rage's offices Friday, April 13, 2001, in Orlando, Fla. With league co-owner NBC issuing a warning that it may drop its coverage if viewership doesn't increase for the playoffs, which begin Saturday night, DeVito realizes how important this weekend is for the league's future. The scant number of television viewers is only part of the XFL's story, DeVito said. Look at the attendanceat the games, look at the amount of merchandise sold.

(AP Photo/Grace Robinette)

Drew Pearson, vice president and general manager of the New York/New Jersey Hitmen meets reporters in Washington, Tuesday, March 27, 2001, to discuss possible XFL expansion plans that would include Washington. The XFL will be back next year, according to league president Basil DeVito, despite television ratings which have reached historic lows.

(AP Photo/Stephen J. Boitano)

XFL President Basil DeVito Jr. meets reporters in Washington, Tuesday, March 27, 2001, to discuss possible expansion plans that could include Washington. The XFL will be back next year, according to DeVito, despite television ratings which have reached historic lows.

(AP Photo/Stephen J. Boitano)

The XFL started strong, but TV ratings quickly fizzled.

(Las Vegas Sun Photo/Clint Karlsen)

An XFL blimp crashed onto an Oakland restaurant in January.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo by David Conner via Associated Press)

Jim Criner: The Outlaws coach said he was looking forward to improved quarterback play next year.

(Photo by Clint Karlsen, Las Vegas Review Journal)

Orlando Rage head coach Galen Hall.

(Shoun A. Hill/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Rage head coach Galen Hall.

(Shoun A. Hill/Orlando Sentinel)

Orlando Rage head coach Galen Hall.

(Shoun A. Hill/Orlando Sentinel)

This is the logo for the XFL. The opening XFL telecast on NBC Saturday Feb. 3, 2001 got a 9.5 national rating, more than twice as high as the network's usual number for the timeslot.

Tuesday 30 January 2001:
The World Wrestling Federation is out to body slam the NFL. After stealing the all-important 18-35 male demographic from ``Monday Night Football'' broadcasts, the WWF hopes it can capitalize on post-Super Bowl football cravings with the start of its own football league, the XFL.

(AP Photo)

San Francisco Demons head coach Jim Skipper.

(AP Photo)

The XFL kicks off February 3, with some unique rules that should lead to a fast, wide-open, hard-hitting style of play.

(Rich Clement/Reuters Graphic)

The XFL kicks off February 3, with some unique rules that should lead to a fast, wide-open, hard-hitting style of play.

(Research: Judy Treible/Graphic: Todd Lindeman)

The XFL kicks off February 3, with some unique rules that should lead to a fast, wide-open, hard-hitting style of play.

(AP Graphic)

The XFL kicks off February 3, with some unique rules that should lead to a fast, wide-open, hard-hitting style of play.

(AP Graphic)