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The XFL returns next February, and, if you’re a football fan who remembers the first installment of the wrestling-like league back in the year 2000, you’re probably a little bit skeptical about what’s in store. While I don’t doubt Vince McMahon and Commissioner Oliver Luck have some interesting rules and ideas to play with, I wonder if the league’s going to be second class, and not really bring the excitement the two may think. Then again, the two are much smarter than I am, so they probably know what they’re doing.
While the first XFL league brought us players like “He Hate Me” and gave us behind-the-scenes coverage from locker rooms and inside the huddle, the play on the field didn’t quite live up to the hype back then. Folding after just one season, can the new XFL be better? That’s left to be seen. But, after unveiling the logos and names of the eight teams, the league definitely didn’t do itself any favors, because the Internet thought the designs and names were pretty awful.
Here’s a look at a tweet from Darren Rovell with the logos and team names.
FIRST LOOK: Names and logos for @xfl2020 teams. My favorites: Renegades, Roughnecks & Guardians. Some strong work here! pic.twitter.com/f9pqJaKsfu
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 21, 2019
I’m not a graphic designer — after all, I still pay for shit on Fiverr to be designed for me — but, damn, who the hell did these for the XFL? They’re boring. They’re generic. They’re like pee-wee football team bad.
Naturally, once the Internet discovered these things, they unleashed on what their eyes were looking at. Just look at some of the reactions people had on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/ChrisATLprayer/status/1164214295800008704?s=20
Overwatch League has better branding
— Penndowski (@SaboNoodles) August 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/KevinMusolino/status/1164213732790210560?s=20
Can’t wait to make New York Ass Guardians jokes. pic.twitter.com/cPuxgJ428t
— Joshua Tufts (@JoshuaTufts) August 21, 2019
Defenders is definitely a team name for a doomed league. Terrible.
— Billy the Great (@sirwilliam72003) August 21, 2019
This isn’t real is it?
— SirPaste (@SirPaste) August 21, 2019
I hate all of the logos. Impressive!
— CM Hockey (@CM_Hockey29) August 21, 2019
That renegades logo is exactly what I had for my Omaha Outlaws franchise in my sports marketing class in 2002.. exactly
— Bert Tortellini (@BertTortellini) August 21, 2019
The XFL may have fumbled the team names and logos, but they did release some pretty cool videos for each of the eight cities, so at least they didn’t completely botch the unveiling today. Take a look below at a few of those videos.
Mercenaries in the muck.
Brawlers in blackened dirt.
The scratching, grinding, never-bending few.
Going to work for you February 2020: The Houston Roughnecks. #XFLTeams pic.twitter.com/vDeSCA3SPs
— UFL (@XFL2023) August 21, 2019
Winged warriors. Preparing for flight. Preparing to fight.
Their mission: create chaos. Their mandate: win at all costs.
Cleared to engage February 2020: The St. Louis BattleHawks. #XFLTeams pic.twitter.com/wGocLm80Tx
— UFL (@XFL2023) August 21, 2019
One quest. One purpose. One resolve.
Seeking glory through grit. Victory through valor.
Taking their stand February 2020: The DC Defenders. #XFLTeams pic.twitter.com/7Qzrd4hZM9
— UFL (@XFL2023) August 21, 2019
Relentless, ruthless, ravenous.
Not of mythology, but of muscle and might.
Breathing fire February 2020: The Seattle Dragons. #XFLTeams pic.twitter.com/odx2YFnlwa
— UFL (@XFL2023) August 21, 2019
If you live in Seattle like I do, I’m sure you’re stoked to root on the Seattle Dragons with me once the XFL kicks off next year. Yeah, I’m inserting heavy sarcasm there, because that’s just terrible.