Columnist Sal DeFilippo: McMahon should try hostile takeover of NFL

Sal DeFilippo

Friday, March 30, 2001 | 10:35 a.m.

Sal DeFilippo's pro football picks column appears Friday. Reach him at sal@lasvegassun.com or 259-4076.

The biggest news in the XFL right now has nothing to do with football. Or TV ratings. Or cheerleaders.

It has to do with league founder Vince McMahon, who developed the league in a deal that also involves NBC.

McMahon last week purchased the longtime rival professional wrestling organization owned by Ted Turner. Basically, he bought his competition. Good business move, wouldn't you say?

So why not do the same thing on the gridiron?

Certainly McMahon can pony up enough dough to buy all 32 NFL franchises.

Then he can sprinkle in some XFL teams, spread out the talent, split the seasons between fall-winter and spring-summer and have the champions of each meet in what could be titled the Really, Really Big Super Bowl-type Megagame at the End, But Before Wrestlemania.

He could retain a few traditional things -- such as to keep Al Davis on as president of the Raiders, just to vote against stuff.

And he could have Jesse Ventura wrestle Dennis Miller on Monday nights during the pregame show.

A lot of people would likely tune in for that.

NBC hasn't made it official, but it doesn't appear the network will air games next season on Saturday nights. They'll probably move all the games to the more traditional Sunday time slots.

This will leave Saturday nights open, and obviously the network will want something popular to fill the slot. Something people will watch -- something that will attract that "hip" crowd that the XFL just isn't reaching.

I know. How about ... professional wrestling.

Anyone got Ted Turner's home number?

For the record

An 0-2 Saturday and a 2-0 Sunday against the spread kept the season mark above .500 at 16-14-2.

Saturday's games

ORLANDO -6 1/2 at Birmingham -- The Bolts' five-game losing streak has included the loss of two quarterbacks -- Jay Barker's injury last week followed Casey Weldon's season-ending injury.

Graham Leigh starts at quarterback this week, and he's not ready to face a Rage squad preparing for the postseason. Orlando 29, Birmingham 14.

CHICAGO +2 1/2 at New York -- Despite 3-5 records, the winner of this season likely will earn the second playoff berth in the Eastern Division.

The Hitmen won 13-0 in a mudfest at Soldier Field earlier this season -- this time the Enforcers return the favor. Chicago 19, New York 16.

Sunday's games

LOS ANGELES -3 at Memphis -- The Xtreme hasn't lost since a Week 4 home defeat to the Maniax in a huge downpour. Since then, Los Angeles has been storming past everyone, including impressive wins over Orlando and Las Vegas the past two weeks.

Memphis also will likely be without running back Rashaan Salaam.

Another W for the Western Division champs. Los Angeles 35, Memphis 19.

LAS VEGAS -6 vs. San Francisco -- The Outlaws can clinch a postseason berth with a win. The Demons can put themselves in the driver's seat if they can pull off the upset. Mike Pawlawski has put up some good numbers this season, but he holds onto the ball too long, which you can't do against Vegas' defense. Las Vegas 24, San Francisco 13.