Three reasons why XFL will be more exciting to watch than NFL

With the NFL on an offseason break, football fans are left with the XFL and USFL to watch as they look to savor American football action.

While the NFL is easily the most popular of the leagues mentioned above, it wouldn't be a stretch to state that the XFL has grown in leaps and bounds since its 2001 inception. The league is in its third season, and has a new ownership group and a lot of resources to utilize.

So what makes the XFL more exciting to watch than the more proven NFL. Here are three such notable reasons to support the claim.

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1. The Fan Experience

NFL has always claimed to optimize the fan experience, but despite its billion-dollar budget, it seems to regress with each passing year. On the other hand, the XFL keeps true to its word and painstakingly boosts the fan experience.

Just look at the league's work to bring fans closer to the game and the field itself. At warm-ups, about 200-plus fans will get the chance to be on the field and low-key rub shoulders with their favorite players. Also, some venues will also feature sideline seating and traditional seating in the stands.

Asides from the pitch side innovations, fans will also be granted first-class access to players, coaches, and league executives in the 2023 season. Behind-the-scenes autograph sessions, meet-and-greets, and game-day photo ops brings fans closer to their teams and players as they get to know them while creating a live experience. While this is uncommon in American sports, but the league has never been "one of the bottles."

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2. Less time equals more action

There's so much to do and so little time, so what's the point of having a three-hour game with only 11 minutes of actual gameplay per game? NFL focuses more on ads, commercials, and other shenanigans than actual football. The XFL can't relate, as the league optimizes their time in a way that would make the NCAA blush.

The XFL operates with a 35-second play clock rather than the 40-second clock of the NFL, and it doesn't stop the clock following incomplete passes and out-of-bounds plays before the two-minute warning of either half.

All the XFL does is slow down during the final two minutes of each half, with the clock stopping after incompletions, out-of-bounds plays, and first downs. While the first and second halves will be split by a 10-minute halftime, compared to the NFL's 12-minute halftime.

This unique timing ensures that more focus is on the game rather than external factors, giving fans a thrilling experience with little to no interruptions.

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3. The Kickoff

The kickoff used to be one of the most fun parts of an NFL game, but over time that has changed. Some speculate it's due to safety concerns, and we won't rain on their parade. But we all know that few things are more exciting than a speedy player weaving tackles and making startling plays on a kickoff return. The XFL knows this, so they revamped the kickoff return rule.

In the league, each team kicks from its own 30-yard line, with the returner lined up on the other end of the field to receive the kick. In between, near midfield, the other 10 players from each team line up 5 yards from each other.

No player except the kicker and returner can move until either the returner has touched the ball or the ball has been on the ground for three seconds. With this, there is a far lesser chance of high-speed collusion and resultant concussion. Hence, the league is ensuring fun as well as safety. No wonder 97% of kickoffs were returned in the 2020 season.