Vince McMahon selling $100 million of WWE stock to potentially bring back XFL

All signs continue to point to Vince McMahon thinking about bringing back the XFL, only there’s one catch.

Last week, a report circulated saying that McMahon was looking to bring back the XFL and that he would potentially make the announcement next month.

EXCLUSIVE: Vince McMahon is looking to bring back the XFL and may announce it on January 25th, 2018.

— Brad Shepard (@TheBradShepard) December 16, 2017

A WWE spokesperson even confirmed last week that McMahon was interested in professional football.

A WWE spokesperson issued the attached statement to me & @Deadspin in response to my inquiry about tonight's rumors of a soon to be announced XFL revival. They declined further comment. Whatever Vince McMahon's "Alpha Entertainment" is, it's self-funded & separate from WWE. pic.twitter.com/oT0Oxyi2fV

— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) December 16, 2017

Now comes word that McMahon filed to sell 3.34 million shares of WWE stock, which would generate around $100 million. McMahon also filed for five trademarks related to the XFL, as the previous ones were abandoned. Here’s the catch, though: McMahon filed the trademarks through a new company he formed called Alpha Entertainment. This company would be separate from WWE.

The WWE previously joined with TV partner NBC to run the XFL back in 2001. The league lasted just one season, with both the WWE and NBC reportedly losing around $35 million each.

Perhaps McMahon feels that with TV ratings declining and the NFL dealing with multiple PR issues, there is a good window of opportunity to bring his product back.