The simulator is a 15-month game divided into five three month periods, each one representing the playing seasons of the league.To operate it, simply dial or type in decisions, then with your mouse, click "Submit Decisions."

The model will run for a one-month period, then pause; you can make decision changes, then click "Submit Decisions". A graph will appear showing performance analysis.You can view various graphs listed.

Do this until you reach the 15^th month, which is the end of the simulation.

Before we talk about anything else, lets discuss simulator scoring.

Scoring

Of course, you want to know how well you did.To determine this, there are three graphs:

XFL Scoring First Tier: which is a "3" at various points on a graph if you manage to maintain a positive net operating income, tv ratings over a "4" (4 million households), while not yet returning a positive investment for NBC.

XFL Scoring Second Tier: which is a "4" at various points on a graph if you manage to maintain a positive net operating income, tv ratings over a "7" (7 million households), and returning a positive investment for NBC.

XFL Scoring Third Tier: which is a "5" at various points on a graph if you manage to maintain a positive net operating income, tv ratings over a "12" (12 million households), and returning a positive investment for NBC of over $20 million.

The Objective

The simulation you are about to experience was developed to better understand what combination of events led to the end of the XFL, which lasted from February to April of 2001.

While there is much popular opinion and some basic understanding of the events that took place, there has been little public discussion of the dynamics that led to its end.

Yes, it's true that low ratings contributed to its death, but what alternative plan would have worked better? Some claim that the quality of the game was simply not up to standards the public had come to expect, even from college football, but was that the only reason?

This system dynamics model, developed Sports Business Simulations, Inc. and placed in the internet operating environment produced by Forio Business Simulations, Inc. of San Francisco, is the first attempt to address those, and other questions.

The Simulation Environment

The objective of the environment is to manage the league through a five year span of time; the length of its business plan.You must avoid achieving less than a rating of "4" such that 4 million households are tuned in to watch your league; a rating of between 25 and 10 is better.You will experience a novelty period, but depending on what you do, it may be short-lived.

There are eight variables for you to alter, depending on the business strategy you chose to implement:

Player salaries

Marketing expense

Day that they games are playe

Ticket prices

Number of teams

Team location strategy

Number of XFL employees

Number of players per team

Let's review the variables:

Player salaries:the XFL players were paid $50,000 each.In the model, you can change this variable so that it is higher or lower than the default number.

Marketing expense: this variable controls what is spent on marketing the teams of the league.While it's a per team variable, it is also an aggregate league variable.You can increase this to as much as $1 million, or more.Whatever your budget will bear.

Day that games are played: this selection permits you to alter the day that the games are primarily played on.The XFL games were on Saturdays.Here, you can try each one of the seven days.But this is not to imply that you can change day "horses in the middle of the season" stream. You can't.

The simulator is designed to delay your selection three months, or until the end of the year.This means that your new game days only take effect the next season.This reflects the reality of negotiations with television networks, stadium operators, and other teams that may use the same facility.

Ticket prices:the XFL managers boasted of having a ticket price point such that the game was affordable to everyone. You can try price points of your own, but be careful.You may risk losing money that can go to spend for big name players in the future.

Number of teams: The XFL started with eight teams.You can add teams, or subtract them in the simulation. But remember that there is a delay of three months attached to this action, and for reasons related to those given for the delays in the "Game Day" variable. So, if your stuck trying to cut costs immediately, you have to wait to see the results, for at least a season.

Team Location Strategy: The XFL placed teams where the NFL had a presence and without regard for weather as a priority; here you can try a different approach.You have a choice between

"1:" (NFL: Snowbelt) which is the known XFL approach;

"2," (NFL: Sunbelt) a location strategy that includes more warm weather cities, or

"3," (Pure Sunbelt) a business model that features all XFL teams in warm weather cities. Number of XFL employees: at one point, the XFL had over 300 employees. You can alter this, if operating income requires this.

Because this simulation model was not designed to take productivity into account with reductions in force (rif), there's no real impact on the XFL's operation with a "rif;" in the real world, this would not be the case. Future upgrades of this simulator will take such a change into account.

Number of players per team: you can also alter the number of players on the team's roster, adding more or less, as needed.The same caveat applies here, as in "Number of XFL Employees," above.Having stated that, it is possible to link that change with overall "quality of play" in the model. We just didn't want to get too carried away.

Moreover, there are a number of ways "quality of play" can be effected, that may be both positive and negative. SBS did not design the model to focus on that aspect of the XFL issue, but that too will be a focus of the next upgrade.

Accuracy of Output

The model was designed, not so much to exactly replicate the financial pattern of the XFL, but to mimic its change of direction, based on alterations in other variables.

The output of data is remarkably close to what the XFL produced, particularly the pattern of change in the number of households watching the games.The overall revenue is around $80 million to $85 million, assuming the same variable settings as in the real world of the XFL.But again, direction of change was as important as accuracy of number.

Your Performance

Your performance in the model environment is simple. You must accomplish the following tasks:

Guide the XFL to a five-year seasonal life.

Turn a profit during this period (which means net operating income should be positive)

Achieve television ratings high enough to keep the relationship with NBC, your key investor, intact.

If ratings fall below 4 million households, NBC will cancel the contract and stop investment payments. You will be able to continue play, but your score will be terrible.

Inthe real world, the XFL ceased to exist, even though there were talks of securing agreements with other networks.

In this model, we're a little more forgiving.We let you stick around and try to manage a sinking ship.

Enjoy the simulator.

What the XFL Simworld is used for

The XFL Simworld is the first device of its kind developed to evaluate the dynamics of a sports business. SBS created this simulator so that students can understand the socio-economic dynamics of sports leagues, and how and why the XFL itself failed to exist. SBS also developed the XFL Simworld for sports fantasy players who want a break from the traditional player-based format: this is an entertaining e-learning device.

We're very excited about this XFL Simworld, not just because of the subject matter, but because it ushers in a new era in the sports industry. look forward to your comments and suggestions for improvement

Sports Business Simulations stands ready to talk with you about building similar Simworlds for your sports business, from stadiums and leagues, to sports commissions and sports sponsors. The same level of scenario planning and systems simulation modeling that's standard in other industries like Energy and the Military, can be useful for the NFL, NBA, MLB, and other sports leagues and teams. Call us at 510-444-4037, or e-mail Karen Kelly, SVP of Sales and Business Development at karen@sportsbusinesssims.com.

XFL: Background

What follows is more information on the XFL.But, rather than turn to the boring and common research paper presentation format, what's presented are copies of the newspaper accounts of the day on the XFL.

Sexy new league will make NFL look cleaner

By MIKE ULMER -- Toronto Sun

TAMPA -- You should know that National Football League commissioner Paul Tagliabue mentioned the XFL this week.

You should also know that he used the same reverent tone a homeowner would invoke upon discovering termites.

"Frankly," Tagliabue said, "it's been a minor aspect of what we worry about. In many cases, it's just a complete non-issue."

That non-issue is expected to fly a plane and banner over Raymond James Stadium tonight in case anyone missed news of the league's Feb. 3 kickoff. Think of it as challenging the biggest kid on your block to fight while his mom calls him in to dinner.

When the ball is downed for the final time tonight at Super Bowl XXXV, the bar gets lowered with it. Then it's Vince McMahon's turn.

No no one expects the XFL to challenge the NFL's hold on America's passions. But the XFL will change the way the public sees the National Football League and, get this, it will alter that perception for the better The XFL, with its tasteless story lines of jocks and overly impressed cheerleaders, is about to bleach the NFL's spotty public image. In the year of Rae Carruth, Ray Lewis and now, Mark Chmura, this is no easy feat.

Until now, the NFL was the reigning sporting entity in the United States because it boasted the industry's best formula for distilling sex and violence.

Time to move over. None of the XFL's opening ad salvos have mentioned the calibre of play. Sex and violence, no fair catches and stretched Spandex, have been the theme and they will be further appropriated from the NFL in due time.

The XFL is to the NFL what a table dancer is to Gypsy Rose Lee. You are dealing in the same commodity, but there is a huge disparity in presentation. Next to the hot babes of the XFL, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will look like the Sisters of St.Mary's.

And this will be no temporary wave. The XFL may be a sporting version of a peep show, but it has moved into the neighbourhood for good.

Unlike the World Football League and the United States Football League, the XFL can't lose money, not with a top player salary of $50,000 and a league that owns every team. August financial publications have pegged the league's start-up cost at $35-$38 million US, half of which will be shouldered by co-founders and broadcaster NBC. The same analysts project revenues of about $85 million. And while companies like Coca-Cola and AT&T have proven squeamish about the parent World Wrestling Federation's blend of sexism, racism and over-the-top hype, the XFL's target group of young males will attract advertising while delivering plenty of buzz.

The NFL emphatically has shown that most people watch sports because they want an event. Does anyone doubt the WWF can hold its own in the realm of spectacles?

The damage to the NFL will be minimal. The XFL won't hurt the NFL at the gate. Yes, with 10 XFL regular season weeks, plus playoffs, the window for professional football is now nine months long.

But America's lust for football is impossible to satisfy.

There are no scheduling or contractual conflicts and, just in case, an NFL presence is already available in every XFL market, save for minor-league outposts Birmingham, Ala., and Las Vegas. Paul Tagliabue publicly may be looking at the XFL as something stuck to the bottom of his shoe, but I think he is secretly pleased the league has set up shop. It's not often a competitor makes you look better. An era ends tonight and the thug issue, showcased so evocatively by Ray Lewis, is about to be washed away in the tide. Today, football prosecutes villains. Tomorrow, it promotes them. Fitting, I guess, that the old era dies with the firing of a gun.

NBC becomes partner in XFL

Associated Press YORK -- Two years after losing the National Football League, NBC is getting back into football -- with a highly unusual partner.The TV network said Wednesday it is joining with the World Wrestling Federation, the marketing machine that turned body-slams into hot TV fare, to launch a no-holds-barred "extreme" football league.
XFL rules
No fair catches on punts.Only one foot required in bounds on pass receptions.A 35-second play clock. Halftime of 10 minutes. (In NFL it's 12 minutes.) TV Cameras to be placed in locker rooms, sidelines and in helmets of selected players.Players, coaches, locker rooms and huddles will be miked.Players will be paid salaries but also will receive bonuses each week if their team wins. WWF announced plans for the eight-team XFL league last month, but investors shunned the idea, sending the company's stock plummeting.
NBC's announcement that it plans to televise the XFL's games and make a major investment in the league gave the WWF's shares a boost Wednesday.The companies insist that the league will be a real sport, not entertainment programming like WWF wrestling, in which chair-smashing, outrageous antics and bizarre story lines are the preferred tools for luring viewer.
The league's games are to begin next February, right after the NFL's Super Bowl. There will be several changes to traditional football to soup up the game, however, including eliminating the "fair catch" rule, shortening halftime to 10 minutes, and placing microphones in huddles, in locker rooms and on the sidelines.Whether it's real football will likely be a subject for debate.
But NBC's motivations are clear in partnering with Vince McMahon, the chairman of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment Inc., who turned wrestling into a smash success on TV, in live events, and even in book publishing."In Vince McMahon, we're getting the best marketer in America," Dick Ebersol, head of NBC sports, said. "We're very interested in riding the success wave of the WWFE."NBC is taking a 50 percent stake in the venture and has agreed to broadcast games on Saturday nights. NBC is also paying $30 million to acquire a 3 percent stake in the World Wrestling Federation.
The deal marks a break from traditional sports broadcasting deals, under which networks place bids for the rights to show games. Prices for those rights have escalated sharply in recent years, leading NBC to opt out of the $18 billion deal the NFL negotiated two years ago with the other networks.When McMahon announced formation of the XFL in early February, investors were put off by the estimated development costs of about $100 million.
The company's stock fell 25 percent that day.This time, with a major media company in as a 50-50 partner, the reception to the XFL project was far more friendly. Merrill Lynch analyst Seth Weber, who downgraded WWF stock in February, called the NBC deal "good for both sides."WWF's stock went as high as $19.683/4 Wednesday and was trading up 61/4 at $17.371/2 in the late afternoon on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Shares of NBC's parent company, General Electric, were up $7.50 to $163.50 on the New York Stock Exchange.oubts about the project remain.
There have been numerous efforts in the past, all unsuccessful, to take on the NFL. NBC itself flirted with the idea in 1998 with Turner Broadcasting as a potential partnerCBS also looked into the idea after losing the NFL contract six years ago, but found the proposition too risky because of high costs, cold weather and difficulty in attracting top talent.Neal Pilson, who oversaw CBS sports operations at the time and now heads his own consulting firm, said he remains "skeptical" about the XFL plan.

"I understand what NBC is trying to achieve. I appreciate the power of their promotional ability, and what you may have here is a test of whether promotion can create demand," Pilson said. "I guess we're going to find of NBC and WWF officials say they expect to find enough talent from college players and amateurs to fill their ranks.
They pointed to Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, who started as a grocery stocker, as an example of the kind of talent pool that could be available."There are thousands and thousands of players in America who want to and can play professional football," Ebersol said. "We don't expect problems finding players."NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue had no comment on the XFL

XFL: Basil DeVito Jr.Monday, Dec. 4^th 2000, 4 p.m. ET

USATODAY.com

Are you excited to see the first

XFL game? Do you have questions about the league and the season? Get the lowdown from today's guest, XFL President Basil DeVito, Jr. The XFL is jointly owned and operated by World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (WWF) and NBC. XFL players, coaches, locker rooms and huddles will be mic'd, providing viewers with insight into the strategy of the game and enabling them to fully experience the emotion, attitude and intensity of the players, both on and off the field. Through rule changes designed to enhance the action and speed of the game, along with broadcast television innovations that will bring fans Ñinside the game,â the XFL hopes to enhance the personality and intensity of pro football.

Missed the live chat? Read the transcript below. Athens, Ohio: Basil I am excited about the XFL and will attend the game in Las Vegas on Feb. 3rd, my question is, what are the long term goals of the XFL and what audience are you targeting ? My Best, Billy Matters

Basil DeVito Jr.: The long term goals are to develop a brand of football that will appeal to a broader audience that currently watches football today. Our target is current football fans, and the elusive 13-34 year old male that are currently not sampling the NFL.

North Canton, OH: If revenues for the XFL are not high for the first couple of years, how long will NBC and the WWF stick with the fledgling league?

Basil DeVito Jr. We are very long-term oriented. The XFL business plan is for a minimum of 5 years. We have air time slated for our first 3 seasons on NBC. We are fully funded through 3 playing seasons. It's unlike some typical start-up leagues looking for ways to pay the bills. We don't have plans for lack of success, only success.

Montgomery Village, Maryland: Is this going to be real football or some Jerry Springer/WWF-esque farce? More specifically, will someone who is a well mannered, well educated football fan enjoy watching this, or is it geared more towards individuals who regularly watch wraslin'?

Basil DeVito Jr.: Good question! The XFL is first and foremost real football. That is evidenced in a couple of ways: NBC as a 50% owner in this league is putting their reputation on the line with XFL. They're the exclusive network of the Olympics as well as the NBA. NBC should help to assure fans that the XFL is real football. In addition, you need look no further than our 8 head coaches, all established, credible, experienced football people. Our general managers in New York and L.A specifically (Drew Pearson and John McKay) are two of the best mannered, quality, educated football fans and people I've ever met. With these types of individuals involved, football fans can rest assured that this will be the type of football game they can enjoy.

pinehurst Idaho: will there be fantasy football on your official web site. PLEASE!!!!!!!!???????? j-marang@home.com

Basil DeVito Jr.: The XFL will be involved in a fantasy football league with a major online partner, and will be accessible through our website -Columbus, Ohio: Will my kids be able to watch the XFL or will it be for adults only? DP&A

Bsil DeVito Jr.: You'd have to be a turkey not to take your kids to an XFL game. It's for kids and adults

Harbor Beach, Michigan: What is it like to work with Vince MacMahon

Basil DeVito Jr.: I have had the distinct opportunity to work with Vince since 1985, and I've done so on a

ndshake for the last 15 years. He's probably helped me execute at a higher level than anything I've ever done

england, london

what is the age requirement to play in the XFL?

Basil DeVito Jr.: We are focusing on individuals whose college eligibility has expired.Dallas,Texas: Mr.DeVito, Are there just 8 teams,and are more expected to join, and if so, who? Cool names by the way. Also,what type of playoff format will be used? Excited in Big D.

Basil DeVito Jr.: There are 8 teams in our first year, and we too are excited about the names and team identities. There will be two divisions of 4 teams. The top 2 teams of each division will play in games against the top 2 teams of the other division, with the semi-final winners meeting in the championship game, which we are affectionately calling "THE BIG GAME AT THE END". That'll be April 21 in 2001.

As far as expansion is concerned, the catchword is "scaleable", meaning that we have plans to expand by 2 or 4 more teams in '03, and ultimately we could expand to many more cities.

round rock texas : ARe their any different rules that are in xfl that arent in the nfl

Basil DeVito Jr.: Oh yes. There are different rules from the current NFL. That's a reaction to the fact that we're trying to put a brand of football on the field more like the NFL of 20 years ago. Most notable is the rule we're importing from the Canadian Football League, which is no fair catches. Also, the ball will be live on punts. One of the biggest changes will be a very exciting fourth down every series.

madison indiana: seriously; i have heard that all punts are live balls. so, giving a 350lb defensive tackle a 50 yard straight dead run at a punt returner is dangerious. so my question is, has vince mcman fully thought out the chances of a pleyer getting killed? otherwise, i think the xfl's time has come, and i am looking forward to wating the games. but have you fully considered safety? shawnf54@aol.com Basil DeVito Jr.: Absolutely! Along with no fair catch, the kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted. Also, the kicking team must allow a 5 yard area for the receiver to catch the ball. We also anticipate receiving teams placing more than one returner back in the field, providing the returner with blockers. We have looked at all aspects of the rules, and these rules have been designed by football people, NOT by Vince McMahon or individuals sitting in offices

mitchell,ind.:

what will the cheerleaders wear?

Basil DeVito Jr.: Cheeleader uniforms are being designed by a consultant who's worked with the Laker Girls, NFL Europe, and many established squads in the past. They will have unique and interesting outfits.

Lewisburg, WV: What happened to the Washington, DC franchise? Are there ever plans to expand to DC, Pittsburgh, or Charlotte? Or, what are some cities the XFL hopes to expand to in the near future? Thanks for bringing football to us when we need it the most!!!

Basil DeVito Jr.: Originally, D.C. was one of the cities planned for the XFL, and one of the original 6 cities being looked at. When we announced NBC as our partners, our opportunities expanded to 16 cities. We selected the best 8 opportunities we had. In all of the cities except for New York and Chicago, we're the only professional football team playing in the stadium. We're focusing on stadiums with natural grass, so neither Pittsburgh nor Charlotte has gotten consideration.Rochester, NY: Will there be any drug testing?

Basil DeVito Jr.: The XFL reserves the right to drug test if warranted in specific cases. Otherwise, like the rest of US citizens, XFL players will be held accountable to the same laws the rest of us are held to. If someone is convicted of a felony they will not participate in the XFL.

Newington, Ct.: Is it possible to invest directly in the XFL ?

Basil DeVito Jr.: WWF Entertainment is a 50% owner, and General Electric is a 50% owner, so I suppose by investing in those companies you can invest in XFL. There's no opportunity to invest in the XFL as a separate entity.

Drammen , Norway: Will the XFL have any TV exposeure overseas ! Arne Johnsen

Basil DeVito Jr.: Currently the XFL has completed an agreement for coverage in Canada, and we're in negotiations for coverage in Europe, Australia and the Middle East.

Angier, NC: Do you see a merger of the XFL (if it lasts long enough)and the NFL down the road? Could this possibly be NBC's way back to the NFL?

Basil DeVito Jr.: I don't see any way that the NFL and the XFL could merge. We play at different times a year, we're a single entity with one ownership. We're not interested in buying the NFL any time soon.

Holbrook, AZ: How do you choose players to be in the XFL and who can play?

Basil DeVito Jr.: The XFL spent several months scouting. WE have a staff with regional scouts with 40-50 years combined experience. We signed about 1500 players who were not otherwise under contract to a professional football organization.

Phoenix, AZ. Are we going to see just another league where much of the scoring is done by placekickers (largely because goalposts are so wide), ala the National Field-goal League (NFL)? Or, will we actually see an attempt by teams to go for it on 4th down (the most exciting down in football) and try to score touchdowns?

Basil DeVito Jr.:Great question! We've done several things that change that formula. There are no points after touchdown by kicks in the XFL. You'll have to run or pass for one extra point. In addition, since on fourth down the ball is live when punted, it means the likelihood of the offensive team to recover the ball, kick the ball away from the receiver, become much more likely in the XFL. We think the fourth down is the most exciting down, and believe that the XFL will become known as the fourth down league.

Houghton, MI: Mr Devito Jr., I've heard it said that the locker rooms, huddles, coaches, toilets and what not will all be mic'd. I think thats a great idea, but I have a feeling many won't appreciate it. Football players show a lot of emotion. Assuming this is all being shown live, if and how are you going to sensor these outbursts?

Basil DeVito Jr.: I've never heard anything about toilets being mic'd. That doesn't appeal to me very much. The entire presentation will be on a 4.5 second delay. We believe the passion of the players and coaches will be what the fans will really enjoy. We'll be doing our best to bleep out whatever shouldn't go out over the airwaves.

Rochester, NY: I'm impressed with most of the new rule changes, but from what I understand, the XFL has eliminated the Roughing the Passer rule. Isn't this going to be quite risky, making it "open season" on quarterbacks? What prevents a defensive lineman from teeing off on a QB long after the play is over? Basil DeVito Jr.: That is untrue. The XFL will follow rules governing quarterback play in the same way colleges do. There is roughing the passer. We've eliminated some of the current NFL rules that our football people don't feel protect the passer much anyway. Our college plyers are used to those rules, and shouldn't have too much trouble playing with the same rules they did in college.

Erskine, Minnesota: How involved will Gov. Ventura be and how much time will he be devoting to XFL?

Basil DeVito Jr.: I'm glad Jesse's online. Jesse Ventura will be the color analyst on NBC each Saturday night. The games will run from 8-11 p.m. ET, and all of Jesse Ventura's interaction with the XFL will be limited to his personal time.

Philadelphia PA: I have heard there will be limited referees for XFL games. How will that work?

Basil DeVito Jr.: The officiating of XFL is being supervised by Carl Paganelli. He's been the supervisor of officials of the Arena Football League. We'll the same officiating operation as the NFL.

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Las Vegas, NV: When will the rule book be available for public consumption?

Basil DeVito Jr.: Early January.

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los angeles, ca: I sent in a question. I am trying again. The Question being: Are you going to be using Instant Replay in your officiating? If so, will it be operationally similar to the NFL?

Basil DeVito Jr.: We will not utilize instant replay as part of our officiating operation, thank God.

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Fresno, CA: How much can an XFL rookie expect to make, and how much can that salary increase over time, success, endorsements, etc. ???

Basil DeVito Jr.: The XFL is a league where all players are paid to play. They're only paid more to win. All players will receive a base compensation. The compensation for a 10-game season is $45,000. Quarterbacks will make $50,000. Kickers will make $35,000. However, one key element is that in each game, the winners of each game divide a $100,000 bonus pool, and the winning team in the "BIG GAME AT THE END" will split a $1 million bonus pool. Theoretically, players on the winning and championship team will all earn over $100,000.

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Los Angeles, California: What are the odds of future WWF/XFL cross-promotions?

Basil DeVito Jr.: I think if you look watch tonight on Monday Night Raw on TNN, you'll see promotion of the XFL. That probably will never change.

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ATLANTA GA: MY QUESTION IS IS IT TOO LATE TO ATTEND MINICAMP OR TRY OUT FOR ONE OF THE TEAMS???

Basil DeVito Jr.: Tryouts have been completed, and the 70 man rosters for minicamps are closed. However, by going to www.xfl.com, players can still apply. We may be looking for replacements as players get hurt, cut, etc.

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Washington, DC: How will you recruit top college talent for the league and compete with the enormous salaries the NFL pays for the best players.

Basil DeVito Jr.: We will not.

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Birmingham, AL: Based on what you've said so far, there won't be any expansion during the first 3 years. Is the "scaleable" equation due to a concern about infrastructure (meaning players, coaches and stadiums)?

Basil DeVito Jr.: No. We might expand as early as year '02 or '03. We're simply trying to establish ourselves and our brand and to grow from practical experience. We'd like to grow the league, but will not expand the season into a long season. Our growth needs to be managed geographically and by stadium size. We need to be sure we can maintain the quality of the brand presentation.

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Syracuse, NY: Unlike NFL Europe, will the XFL have contractual obligations with their players to keep them within the League, so it will not become a "stepping-stone" for a lot of the athletes to get to the NFL?

Basil DeVito Jr.: In fact, in year one and two, players from the XFL will have the opportunity to get out of their contracts and move on to the multi-million dollar contracts in the NFL. It is that goal to be the next Curt Warner that brings many many players to us in year one. Ultimately, we will not be trying to hold players back; we'll be establishing our own stars. We'll provide them with great earning opportunity and longevity.

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Detroit, Michigan: The lack of talent (particularly at QB) is a big problem in the NFL. How do you plan on dealing with that issue?

Basil DeVito Jr.: Our football experts tell us that there are a great deal of talented football players who never get the chance to play. The NFL certainly has the best players in the world; however, the NFL has created a game which is 70% passing, very dependant on star quarterbacks. If you look at the quality of division I quarterbacks, we believe we'll have enough quality to make exciting, competitive football.

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Lansing Michigan: Will there be a minimum distance that a punt must go if the ball is live before the offense could recover it. Also if they offense must provide a 5 yard area to allow the defense to recieve the ball won't that negate the fact that the ball is live.

Basil DeVito Jr.: Number one: the ball must travel 25 yards from the original line of scrimmage before it's live. Number two: if the ball is punted over the receiver's head, there'll be a mad scramble for posession, so I don't think the five yard rule pertains to that at all.

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San Diego, California: I know UPN & NBC are TV partners but who is the radio partner. ESPN Radio?

Basil DeVito Jr.: ESPN Radio is our partner in Chicago; however, each of the local markets will have their own radio affiliate. We haven't finalized a deal with a national radio network yet.

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grand rapids, mi: Will there be more freedom for the players to taunt and celebrate?

Basil DeVito Jr.: Natural personality and expression of the players will be something that the XFL will not try to inhibit. You can see it all for just $25 a game.

Thanks for your great questions. I'm glad there's lots of interest.

Comment from USATODAY.com Host: Thanks to Basil DeVito and to everyone who joined in.