Xtremely different from the NFL

Steve Addy

Thursday, July 13, 2000 | 10:16 a.m.

Here is a list of cities that will field teams in the new XFL, which will begin play in early February 2001:

1. Las Vegas 2. New York 3. Chicago 4. San Francisco 5. Los Angeles 6. Orlando, Fla. 7. Memphis, Tenn. 8. Birmingham, Ala.

Give WWF kingpin Vince McMahon an open mike, a captive audience and a chance to snarl at the NFL and you've got one stone-cold happy camper.

In fact, it's hard to tell which made McMahon happier on Wednesday -- announcing that Las Vegas will host one of eight franchises in his fledgling XFL, or the opportunity to lob uncontested jabs at the NFL.

Dismissing the NFL as "overregulated," "antiseptic" and "corporate," McMahon told a press conference at Sam Boyd Stadium that his new league will employ the WWF's promotional formula to restore the rough edge he claims has disappeared from a play-it-safe NFL.

He's also confident that a market that has often ignored live pro sports will fill Sam Boyd Stadium for five home games starting in early February. Tickets go on sale in late summer, averaging about $23, but priority reservations are available now on www.xfl.com or by calling (877) 935-4263.

"We're going to have to work very hard to gain the respect of the community," McMahon said of the WWF's joint venture with NBC-TV. "We're going to have to put a great sporting event on the field so that you'll want to come back again and again for many years.

"You are not necessarily going to know a lot of the individuals when the whistle blows for our first kickoff, but you'll know many of them throughout the season. (The WWF) understands how to develop stars that way."

The team's name and logo weren't revealed, nor has a general manager or coach been hired. Those matters will be handled within a month. Otherwise, Wednesday's announcement essentially mirrored the Sun's June 28 report that Las Vegas was on the short list for a team.

The other XFL franchises, all owned by the league, will be in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Orlando, Los Angeles, Memphis and Birmingham, Ala. Coaches, GMs and players will sign contracts with the league, with a base player salary of $45,000. Player allocation will occur in October, and each team will have 38 on its active roster.

The clubs will play 10 regular-season games, with the winning team in each game earning a bonus of $100,000. Four teams will make the playoffs, fighting for a $1 million prize in the April 21 championship. The league hasn't come up with a fancy name for its final game.

"We've been calling it the Big Game at the End," XFL president Basil DeVito said.

The bonus pool is a key component in the XFL's strategy to appeal to the common fan.

"They're paid to play, but paid more to win," DeVito said. "It's something that the fans can relate to. It's the American way."

McMahon also hauled out the flag to criticize the NFL's prohibition of excessive celebrations, which he views as one symptom of its gradual degeneration into the "No Fun League."

"When the NFL outlaws celebrating after a touchdown, that is un-American," he said. "It is a difficult thing to score a touchdown on any level. Let's have some celebration. (Banning celebrations) also denies fans an opportunity to celebrate as much as they otherwise would. If a player is restricted, how do the fans feel?"

McMahon leveled many other blows at the NFL. Such as: