How Much Did XFL 2020 REALLY Cost WWE & Vince McMahon?

Recent claims are staggering...

Vince McMahon XFL
WWE/XFL

It was previously reported in April that the XFL 2020 bomb would cost WWE boss Vince McMahon approximately $50 million.

Now, The Wrestling Observer are claiming that the number is significantly higher than that.

Dave Meltzer wrote that the bankrupt football league actually cost more than that due to huge costs associated with setting the project up. All in all, the Observer guru says, the second XFL attempt cost an outlay of around $200 million.

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That's an astronomical figure, one which would be four times the reported bankruptcy amount if true.

According to the Observer, McMahon had set aside a massive $500 million that'd be spread across the XFL's first three seasons. Of course, the league folded after a month or so of games due to the onset of a serious global pandemic.

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It didn't come close to completing one season, never mind three, and that has left Vince with a sizeable hole in his pocket. This news will also leave some rolling their eyes; XFL critics were stunned that McMahon was spending funds he could use on WWE anyway.

$200 million is an absolutely huge amount for a bankrupt league, COVID-19 pandemic or not.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.