Jim Ross did not call the games for the money.
The reboot of the once-failed football league the XFL that was founded by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is relaunching in 2020 and eight cities have already been announced to be having teams when the season kick starts in early February.
- Dallas, Texas (Globe Life Park)
- Houston, Texas (TDECU Stadium)
- Los Angeles, California (StubHub Center)
- New York, New York (MetLife Stadium)
- Seattle, Washington (CenturyLink Field)
- St. Louis, Missouri (The Dome)
- Tampa, Florida (Raymond James Stadium)
- Washington, D.C. (Audi Field)
During the original XFL that started in 2001, one of the commentators for the games was WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross. Ross is still commenting wrestling action but his contract with AXS TV to call New Japan Pro Wrestling is coming to an end and his WWE legends contract expires in March of 2019 according to the Fightful 'Confirmed Wrestling Contracts Expiration Date' page.
Ross was a guest on the WKYC Channel 3 Facebook live stream and while discussing Cleveland Browns football, the topic of the XFL was brought up and Ross shared that he was paid $1500 a game but it was never about the money for him because he truly enjoyed calling the action.
“I had a blast. It was a lifelong dream. No kidding, and I didn’t do it for the money. I made $1500 a game, and you know we make five times that when [I] go out and sign autographs. For a network game on NBC, $1500 bucks." Ross continued, "But I’m not complaining about that. That's the thing to make clear. It was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. It was new, it was exciting.”
While on the topic of the XFL, the commissioner of the league Oliver Luck detailed during an interview earlier this year how his business relationship with Vince McMahon came to be and to read what Oliver had to say, click here.
If the quote in this article is used, please credit the WKYC Channel 3 Facebook page with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
