Following The Rock putting his finishing move on XFL ownership, current and former CFL players voiced their support for the new owner.
The athletes let Dwayne Johnson know there was a disgruntled work force north of the border he could tap into for the league he paid $15 million to own.
“You have a bunch of currently jobless athletes here in the CFL! Keep us in mind Rock!,” tweeted Hamilton Ticats rookie Stavros Katsantonis. “We all want to ball!”
The Rock, his business partner Danny Garcia and investment firm RedBird Capital each have shares in the purchase. The deal is expected to be approved and finalized closer to the end of the month.
For former XFL player and current CFL free agent Derek Dennis, The Rock is an example of a resilient athlete giving back.
“Dope, the guy who got cut from CFL w/$7 wanting to give guys like himself a home,” Dennis wrote.
Fellow offensive tackle Tony Washington agreed and the two indicated that a revamped XFL would be bad for the CFL’s business.
“Its about to go down!,” the Montreal Alouette said simply.
Another former XFL player, Ottawa receiver Jalen Saunders, expressed a similar ominous sentiment.
“Lol bruh CFL better stop lackin,” he quipped after sharing the news to his fans.
Other players suggested the United States-based superstar should also consider investing in his roots.
“Hey Rock! Any spare change in your wallet to buy the CFL?,” retired kicker Chris Milo asked. “I know a few guys who are trying to feed their families!”
Longtime Edmonton veteran, current free agent fullback Calvin McCarty responded with a different ownership candidate in mind.
“Hey Patrick Mahomes, want to become the youngest owner of your very own football league? #ourballsarebigger” McCarty said, referencing the Super Bowl winner’s recently acquired ownership stake in the Kansas City Royals.
While a wealthy financier might solve a few of the CFL’s current problems, the league does not have central ownership. That means buying the league would require the purchase of all nine clubs from their private or public ownership groups, at a total cost that would make the $15 million spent on the bankrupt XFL look miniscule.
Nonetheless, CFL players remain angry over the uncertainty and lack of pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hamilton linebacker Chris Frey Jr said what many players and fans are thinking in light of the XFL news.
“Either the CFL and Randy Ambrosie will figure it out this week or the league will be losing a ton of talent to the XFL.”
