XFL gains legitimacy by hiring Oliver Luck as commissioner

Former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck has been named XFL commissioner and CEO, and that brings immediate credibility to the rebirth of the league.

In 1999, NBC and the WWF (now known as WWE) owner Vince McMahon established a new league that would take football by storm. It was said to be a more fun version of the NFL, and the rules would entice fans to watch. The XFL would be something new and fresh and there would finally be a league that could challenge the NFL the way the AFL did in the 60s.

It was enticing for about a week. When the fans realized it was nothing more than a watered-down version of the NFL, ratings hit the fan, and the league folded after just one season.

This time McMahon has tried a different approach. He has hired a former NFL player, Oliver Luck (the father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck) to be in charge of the league. That’s the perfect business decision for McMahon.

The eight-team league will be, according to the official website, be in both mid-level and major market cities all across the country. According to the site, players will get paid more for winning games.

"The players’ salary structure is still in development, but players will be paid to play, and paid more to win."

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Having an NFL personality who’s been a player and executive in the league brings it credence immediately. The fact that McMahon is leaving out the things that are common to wrestling shows he learned from the other major mistake.

It could bring credibility where it counts the most — the players. It could give them a launching point for NFL careers in the U.S. This was the perfect business move for McMahon, and one that may see immediate dividends.