A bold challenge, a fearless experiment and ultimately, a spectacular failure. In 2001, sports entertainment titans Ebersol and McMahon launched the XFL. It was hardly the first time a league had tried to compete with the NFL, but the brash audacity of the bid, combined with the personalities and charisma of Ebersol and McMahon and the marketing behemoths of their respective companies -- NBC and WWE -- captured headlines and a sense of undeniable anticipation about what was to come.
Direction
Charlie Ebersol directing his own dad's mess — awkward genius.
Editing
Perfectly paced to make billionaires look like clowns.
Production
Incredible archival footage of peak WWE/NBC arrogance.
Director
Charlie Ebersol
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Charlie Ebersol is Dick Ebersol's son, making this the most expensive home movie ever about your dad getting fired. The nepotism is part of the art.
The XFL's 'He Hate Me' jersey became a bizarre cultural artifact — proof that 2001 audiences would buy literally anything with attitude.
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