ST. LOUIS–Thanks to the XFL’s elaborate playoff tiebreaker system, the Battlehawks are now focused on 2024 instead of the DC Defenders in the North division championship.
The third installment of the spring football league, which took the field under new ownership three years after the coronavirus pandemic interrupted the second one and sent it into bankruptcy, proved once again what St. Louis has long known–that it isn’t just a baseball town, or just a soccer town or just a hockey town. It is a pro sports town, including football.
St. Louis set a modern-era spring pro football attendance record with its home opening crowd of 38,310 at The Dome at America’s Center and the team’s five home games, all with more than 30,000 fans, were the top five league crowds in 2023. The team’s 35,104 average attendance outpaced the second-place San Antonio Brahmas by more than 20,000 fans.
If there was any thought that the turnout in 2020 which also led the league, was only the product of an anti-NFL/anti-Stan Kroenke sentiment and that it would wane as the Rams get further in the rear-view mirror for St. Louis, think again.
To be clear the Kroenke chants were still audible this season
Fans told Spectrum News in person and in a very active Battlehawks Facebook group that they appreciated having a football team to root for again, one that returned their appreciation, even as they recognize that the “special sauce” that makes the league work here may not work elsewhere.
“We had complete confidence that with this new iteration of the XFL that we were going to be able to pick up with that same enthusiasm because St. Louis sports fans are so enthusiastic when it comes to not only sports but certainly football,” said Brian Hall, Chief Marketing Officer for Explore St. Louis. “It's been overwhelming. It’s exceeded our expectations.”
The continued fan buy-in here is notable considering the league operates out of a hub in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and fly to league cities for games.
Here’s what we know about 2024:
First, league owners Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia have said on multiple occasions that they are building for the long haul and that there will be a 2024 season.
Garcia told Spectrum News earlier this season the XFL would keep the hub model in place for at least “a few years” to ensure parity of services provided to athletes. It is likely also a cost-saver, instead of standing up eight separate operations in league cities.
Head Coach Anthony Becht, who told Spectrum News last week that the league’s schedule agreed with both his personal and professional life, reiterated Monday that he wants to return.The former Rams Tight End has embraced his role as leader on the field, and as an ambassador off it, through appearances and an engaging social media presence.
“I haven’t gotten fired for doing anything crazy I felt like I put a good record together, a good roster, something to be proud of…..I’ll be back, Ill be back. Everything looks like pushing forward for 2024. We’ve been talking about some things for the future, I think the league is gonna be around for a while and this is the job I want, and I can’t wait to, you know, take some time off and reassess and get ready for next season.”
Rosters
While there had been some uncertainty about this during the season, Becht said Monday that teams will retain the rights to players moving forward. At no other position in football is that more important than behind center. QB A.J. McCarron said before the team’s regular season finale that he wasn’t necessarily calling that game his St. Louis swan song, and after the team learned it had been eliminated from playoff contention Sunday night, he appeared to double down on the idea of a return.
“Would play for this MAN anytime and anywhere. A Great Coach and even better man! Can't wait till Next Year!” McCarron said in response to a social media post showing an emotional Becht postgame news conference on Saturday.
Becht told reporters Monday he still expects McCarron to talk with his family and agent about what potential NFL opportunities could be out there as he evaluates what to do next.
“Clearly if you can get life-changing money, add onto the success he’s already had, that’s one thing but I also understand hey man it’s kind of fun playing in the XFL, playing for this team, for me I hope and really getting to showcase yourself where you’re kind of the guy… so as a backup in the league (NFL), you’re just a guy, in our league, you are the guy which is awesome so we’ll see how that turns out,” he said.
Becht said he’s already fielded questions from former contacts in the NFL about some of his players. Besides McCarron, Hakeem Butler, Darrius Shepherd, Steven Mitchell, Gary Jennings, Marcell Ateman, Austin Proehl and Brian Hill are among a number of players who could all figure to get a new shot at the NFL.
“We’re gonna give opportunities to more guys next year,” Becht said. “We feel good about our eye and what we’re looking for, and now that we’ve seen our system and how it worked and the position groups that we have I feel good about, you know, how we’re gonna reload this team and be better and guys should really take on and embrace this opportunity because the XFL just is a game changer for these players.”
2024 postseason in St. Louis?
While Becht hopes his 2024 squad can make it into the playoffs, Dome officials say they want to host the XFL title game next year, after the league opted to put it in San Antonio for 2023.
“We’ve raised our hand, and we’ve expressed keen interest in hosting playoff XFL football in St. Louis. We’d love to see that happen. We were part of the conversation for this season and they decided otherwise but hopefully in the future we’ll build a strong case that the championship game ought to take place here in St. Louis,” Hall said.