The Markcast®

The XFL is hiring a TON of new people, including social media managers, art directors, and more. Is the XFL spending too much money too fast? I want to hear from you!! Plus Farhan Lalji from TSN, Nathan Rubbelke from the St. Louis Business Journal, and Steve Gera from BreakAway Data all join the show to chat about the world of CFL, XFL, USFL, and more!

The XFL has posted a boatload of new roles they are hiring for ahead of their 2023 kickoff including not one but TWO social media managers for each of their 8 teams and more. Where the USFL was bemoaned for months (myself included) by fans about spending too little, is the XFL spending too much too fast? I want to hear your comments and feedback!

Farhan Lalji, CFL on TSN insider returns to the program to chat all things CFL week 11 including Nathan Rourke’s historic performance with the BC Lions. We also chat about the potential of Nathan Rourke heading to the NFL after the 2022 CFL season and what that means for the CFL in the hierarchy of football leagues. Farhan Lalji also gives his thoughts on the recently wrapped USFL “inaugural” season and who he would place his money on between the XFL and the USFL in the US spring football market.

Nathan Rubbelke from the St. Louis Business Journal stops by the show to give some insights into the XFL and their recently reported interest in bringing in investors ahead of their 2023 season kickoff. Nathan talks about the XFL’s “start-up” mentality and why now might just be the perfect time to invest in this 3rd version of the XFL ahead of its launch.

Finally, Steve Gera, co-founder, and president of BreakAway Data also makes an appearance to fill us in on the recent work he and his company have been doing with the XFL from a player scouting perspective. We chat Jordan Palmer being brought in as the XFL’s Director of Quarterback Development, the XFL centralizing training under Sean Hayes, and the level of talent Steve is seeing at the XFL Showcases including offensives linemen and more.

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:18 Show Intro
6:41 Solo Commentary on XFL’s New Hires
11:17 Farhan Lalji, CFL on TSN CFL Week 11, XFL, USFL Interview
47:26 Nathan Rubbelke, St. Louis Business Journal XFL Interview
1:12:42 Steve Gera, BreakAway Data XFL Interview
1:35:45 Show Outro

The XFL is looking for more money, TOGETHXR has dropped its trademark lawsuit against the XFL, we’re chatting week 10 of the CFL, previewing the BC Lions traveling to Calgary to face the Stampeders, and interviewing a boatload of people! Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic, Paul Reeths of OurSports Central, Darrin Bauming of Bonfire Sports, former XFL Dragons member Dontez Byrd, BC Lions standout WR Dominique Rhymes and newly signed Calgary Stampeder running back Dedrick Mills all join the show!

BREAKING news coming in late to the newsroom, TOGETHXR has officially and voluntarily dismissed its trademark lawsuit against the XFL. The potentially disruptive lawsuit that’s been hanging over the XFL’s head since their logo relaunch earlier this summer is now officially over. There’s still one lawsuit hanging over the XFL (and CFL’s head) by way of David Adrian Smith, but for now, the XFL can breathe at least one breath of relief.

The XFL is also in the news with reports that they are looking for more money, and are willing to give up to 35-45% of the company away to investors in order to get it. We bring on Daniel Kaplan from The Athletic to get his thoughts on the XFL’s movements thus far. He reacts to the USFL’s 2022 season, their business model’s results, and what the XFL could and should do to learn and grow from the efforts the USFL made last spring. I asked Daniel Kaplan to share his thoughts on why the XFL might be looking for investors now before they’ve even kicked off their inaugural XFL season and what he thinks that means for the long-term success and health of the 3.0 XFL league. Daniel Kaplan also shares some new insights into the XFL-ESPN TV deal and whether that gives the XFL a leg up over the USFL in the spring football landscape. We also chat the NFL Alumni academy and if he believes that means the NFL will give the XFL preferential treatment moving forward.

Long-time fan favorite, USFL historian and owner of OurSports Central (www.oursportscentral.com) Paul Reeths returns to the show to give his take on the XFL’s recently announced investor plans. We compare and contrast the fundraising efforts the USFL is doing trying to find individual owners for their 8 named USFL franchises and what it means to investors that the XFL isn’t selling off teams (yet) and merely giving equity stake in the company. It’s a fruitful conversation looking at how the XFL and the USFL are basically going about league building the same way, only with slight modifications likely learned from each other.

Lots of CFL talk on the podcast this week from friend of the program Darrin Bauming of Bonfire Sports (www.bonfiresports.ca). Darrin talks through the biggest storylines going into CFL Week 10 including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ dominance, the troubles the East division is facing, Saskatchewan trying to wriggle their way into a hometown Grey Cup showing, and whatever the heck is going on in Montreal with the Alouettes. We also talk about the need for fan-focused and fan-driven shows and podcasts related to the CFL and other non-NFL leagues to help build fan engagement.

3 player interviews on this week’s show as we catch up with former XFL Dragons WR Dontez Byrd as he looks to make his return to the XFL when they hit the field in 2023. Dontez shares his thoughts on the importance of spring football leagues and how challenging it is for alt-football players to constantly keep themselves in shape during their nonexistent off-season, never knowing when the next opportunity will arise.

We also get a first-hand preview of the big BC Lions at Calgary Stampeders game this Saturday by way of Dominique Rhymes of the Lions and Dedrick Mills of the Stampeders. Both gentlemen had stellar performances in their last games, Rhymes catching 3 TD passes from Nathan Rourke, Mills rushing for over 100 yards, and both look to make an impact this Saturday in this pivotal CFL Western Division matchup.

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:28 Show Intro
7:07 TOGETHXR’s XFL Lawsuit Dismissed
8:38 Daniel Kaplan, The Athletic XFL Investor, XFL-ESPN TV Deal Interview
36:22 Paul Reeths, OurSports Central XFL vs. USFL Fundraising Interview
1:14:23 Darrin Bauming, Bonfire Sports, CFL Week 10 Interview
1:40:11 Dontez Byrd, XFL Interview
1:55:03 Dominique Rhymes, BC Lions Interview
2:10:27 Dedrick Mills, Calgary Stampeders Interview
2:18:14 Show Outro, Giveaway Photo Slideshow

This week on The Markcast we’re talking XFL contracts, player pay and season timeline vs. the USFL, CFL week 9, and the shutdown of Major League Football (MLFB) on this eclectic episode with all of your alt-football news! Greg Parks of XFL Board, CFL legend Milt Stegall, Sarah Said of The Parleh, and Simone Eli of WKRG in Mobile, Alabama all join the show!

Greg Parks of XFL Board joins the show to give his thoughts on the XFL’s recent announcements including cities, the decision to play their fist 3 seasons in a hub, and what they can do in terms of player pay to compete with the USFL for player acquisition. We look at the contracts the XFL will be offering, the time of year they will be playing, and whether or not they need to be concerned with the USFL’s 2-year contracts when it comes to locking down the best talent when the XFL takes the field in 2023. Greg Parks also shares his thoughts on the XFL’s Arlington “hub”, things they can do the increase local fan engagement while housing all of the players in Texas, and what we should expect from the XFL in terms of team “nicknames” and other announcements moving forward.

Milt Stegall, CFL legend and CFL on TSN broadcaster makes a long-awaited return to the program to run down ALL the latest CFL news as we move into week 9 of the CFL season. We chat about the Alouettes’ recent coaching changes, Nathan Rourke and the BC Lions, his recent Twitter feud with Montreal Alouettes owner Gary Stern, and whether or not the CFL on TSN panel actually gets along. Milt Stegall also shares his thoughts on “the beard” that his co-panelist Matt Dunigan has decided to sport for his 2022 CFL on TSN appearance, let’s just say we cover ALOT!

Sarah Said of The Parleh stops by the program to talk about her recent introduction to the CFL media. Sarah makes daily picks for CFL fans interested in sports betting and talks about using gambling, fantasy, and sports betting to help build new interest in the CFL by attracting new fans. Sarah covers the Toronto Argonauts so we also chat through their season thus far and the challenges she sees them potentially facing moving forward as the current top team in the CFL east.

Finally, Simone Eli of WKRG in Mobile sits down to fill us in on ALL the Major League Football (MLFB) drama that she’s been covering during the last two weeks with the league’s abrupt shutdown. We talk about Frank Murtha’s absence during all the latest chaos, her experiences interviewing players being kicked out of their hotels and having to find their own way home, and if it’s possible that MLFB will EVER hit the field, now or in the future. This is an eye-opening interview covering ALL aspects of the Major League Football shutdown from someone on the ground in Alabama that your WON’T want to miss!

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:28 Show Intro
7:17 Greg Parks, XFL Board Interview, XFL vs. USFL Player Pay, Timelines
1:04:43 Milt Stegall, CFL Hall of Fame Inductee Interview
1:29:15 Sarah Said, The Parleh CFL Interview
1:48:43 Simone Eli, MLFB Shutdown / Collapse Interview
2:18:21 Show Outro, “Oh Canada” Giveaway Update

XFL insider Mike Mitchell returns to the program to recap and analyze a BUSY week in the alt-football landscape. We cover ALL of the big XFL announcements from the last week including the 8 2023 cities the XFL will be playing in, the venues and coaches attached to those cities, and the XFL’s announcement that they will be housing and training all of their players in Arlington for the first 3 years in a recently announced “hub” format. Which alt-football league has the better plan for the more successful “hub” in 2023, the XFL’s Arlington-based hub with plans to fly teams out to local markets on the weekend, or the USFL’s approach of basing all their team in Birmingham and potentially a second (or third/fourth) market, we get Mike Mitchell’s thoughts. We also cover the latest lawsuit facing the XFL and the surprise collapse of Major League Football (MLFB) just weeks before kickoff. Daniella Ponticelli of 620CKRM also stops by the show to preview CFL week 8 including a match between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and America’s team the BC Lions.

The XFL is FINALLY…making some big announcements that listeners of The Markcast and readers of XFL News Hub have known for quite some time, we now OFFICIALLY know the eight teams the XFL will be playing in when they return to the field in 2023. Mike Mitchell, XFL insider, and XFL News Hub contributor makes a return appearance to the program to give his in-depth thoughts and analysis on everything XFL. We talk about the venues the XFL will be playing in, the head coaches attached to the cities, and get Mike’s thoughts on the “Texas Triangle” of 3 Texas-based XFL teams while the league opted to pull out of New York, Los Angeles, and Tampa Bay. The XFL is potentially learning from some mistakes made by the USFL with their hub in 2022 and looking to spend more to build more connections with fans in their local markets. Will the spending spree of hiring local staff in all eight XFL team markets be enough? We discuss. Also, breaking news today coming into the newsroom also includes the recently filed NEW lawsuit against Vince McMahon, The Rock, WWE, and more over XFL “trade secrets” and the surprise (but not unexpected) collapse of MLFB which has left many of their players stranded without hotel rooms or plans for the future.

Daniella Ponticelli of 620 CKRM also stops by the program to round out our alt-football coverage with a little CFL talk. The BC Lions are headed to Regina for the weekend to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, we get Daniella’s thoughts on the match and the rest of the major storylines in the CFL headed into week 8. Should the CFL be scheduling more games on Sundays to take advantage of the recent uptick in viewers following the rescheduled Argonauts vs. Roughriders game? Whom does Daniella have pegged as her early MOP candidates? We tackle this CFL talk and much more!

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:28 Show Intro
5:20 XFL Insider Mike Mitchell, XFL Announcements Cities/Venues/Hub Analysis
1:23:53 XFL Insider Mike Mitchell on NEW XFL Lawsuit
1:31:30 XFL Insider Mike Mitchell on MLFB Shutdown/Collapse
1:42:47 Daniella Ponticelli 630 CKRM Saskatchewan Roughriders, CFL Interview
2:15:12 Show Outro, Giveaway Update

We are going LIVE Monday morning following the Sunday XFL Dallas Town Hall and "Major Announcement" press conference on Monday morning from Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, TX to recap all the big news coming out from the XFL 2020 season ticket holders meeting with 2023 XFL ownership including Dany Garica and Dwayne Johnson and the Monday morning press conference

Join Andrew Murray from XFL News Hub and Reid Johnson from The Markcast at 8am PST / 12pm EST to fill you in on all the latest news coming out from the XFL approaching their 2023 relaunch. The XFL Arlington hub is officially a thing as announced by Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia, we react to that news plus the official announcement of the 8 XFL 2023 cities, assigned head coaches, and venues that the XFL teams will be playing in.

We are going LIVE following the latest XFL Player Showcase on Friday, August 22nd at 2pm PST / 5pm EST from Tempe, Arizona to recap the XFL Arizona Showcase with the writers of XFL News Hub!

Join Reid Johnson from The Markcast, with Brandon Anderson, Evan Willsmore and Matt Lyons from XFL News Hub as they recap all of the day's events and look forward to the upcoming XFL Town Hall on Sunday, July 24th where we will potentially be learning the team cities, names and venues for the upcoming XFL 2023 season.

In the upcoming showdown between the XFL and the USFL, we pose an important question in our best Ryan Gosling impression asking: What do you want (from the XFL)? Plus we have an ALL-star lineup of guests this week including Montreal Alouettes owner Gary Stern, James Larsen of USFL Newsroom, Sean Fitz-Gerald of The Athletic, and Sara Orlesky of TSN.

Gary Stern, owner of the Montreal Alouettes joins our show in our continuation of A-list caliber guests from the Canadian Football League. In our extended sit-down interview Gary talks about his campaign to build the Alouettes fanbase through his use of Twitter and social media, his biggest concerns he sees facing the CFL right now, and what the CFL needs to do to help build the youth fanbase moving forward and how to best gets fans back in the stadiums now that the CFL is officially back in business with their 2022 season. We tackle the recent personnel changes in Alouettes team leadership including the release of head coach Khari Jones and Barron Miles and get Gary’s thoughts on both Alouettes quarterbacks Vernon Adams Jr. and Trevor Harris, you don’t want to miss this one!

James Larsen of USFL Newsroom and XFL Newsroom makes a long-anticipated return to the program to chat through USFL expansion heading into 2022. Does the USFL have the advantage over the XFL right now in terms of attracting the casual football fanbase, and what, if anything can the XFL do to help regain some momentum. The USFL is bound to make changes in their offseason headed into their 2023 “second” season, what would James like to see the USFL do to best capitalize on their momentum thus far? We discuss.

Sean Fitz-Gerald of The Athletic joins the show for a segment talking CFL, specifically Toronto Argonauts football. Sean recently wrote an article chronicling the “recent” downward spiral in Toronto’s interest in their Argonauts and with the recent resurgence of the BC Lions and the Edmonton Elks at the heads of motivated leadership, is MLSE the right ownership group to help re-build (again) the Toronto Argonauts franchise in the year 2022 and beyond.

Finally, Sara Orlesky makes a much-awaited appearance on The Markcast to recap, preview, and talk about CFL week 6. We chat about the BC Lions’ loss to Winnipeg last week, grade Zach Collaros as a quarterback in the Canadian Football League, talk about Hamilton’s woes, Jeremiah Masoli’s injury and the REDBLACKS plans moving forward with Nick Arbuckle. We also preview the weekend’s most anticipated matchup between the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in the battle of the CFL’s lone 2 remaining undefeated teams.

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:28 Show Intro
6:58 Gary Stern, Montreal Alouettes Owner Interview
34:41 XFL Commentary/Rant, What Do You Want From the XFL?
42:20 James Larsen, USFL Newsroom USFL Interview
1:26:38 Sean Fitz-Gerald, The Athletic Toronto Argonauts Interview
1:58:44 Sara Orlesky, TSN Winnipeg CFL Week 6 Interview
2:25:52 Show Outro, Giveaway Update

The USFL has wrapped their “inaugural” season 1 and with the XFL’s return in sight, who has the high ground? We bring on Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal and Mark Perry of USFL News Hub (fresh off his appearance at the USFL championship in Canton) to tackle USFL v. XFL, USFL year 2 expansion, and much more. We also preview CFL week 5 and chat all things Canadian football with Kristina Costabile of CFL.ca and Chris Ackie of the Montreal Alouettes.

The USFL has wrapped season 1, what’s next? We ponder this question, chat USFL TV/Championship ratings and compare/contrast their business model with the soon-to-be returning XFL with Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal. Ben Fischer discusses USFL team valuations vs. MLS and other professional sports, grades USFL season 1 as a whole, and looks forward to what the league could, should, and will do when they hit the field again in 2023.

Mark Perry, editor of USFL News Hub also makes a return appearance to the program to discuss his time at the USFL championship game in Canton, Ohio. We get some behind-the-scenes details of his time there and discuss ways the league can improve with media relations (amongst other things) as they look at ways to improve when they return for a second USFL season. We also cover rumors of expanded USFL 2023 rosters, October OTAs with players in their home cities and much, much more!

Kristina Costabile of CFL.ca makes an anticipated repeat guest spot on this week’s show to preview the big BC Lions hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers game this weekend in the battle of the two currently undefeated CFL franchises. We talk Tre Ford’s success in Edmonton, Nathan Rourke’s ascent in BC and why the BC Lions football team seems to be firing on all cylinders this 2023 CFL season. Chris Mackie of the Montreal Alouettes also sits down (pre-Khari Jones firing) to go over the Alouettes' bumpy season thus far, ways he’s looking to improve on the field coming off of injury, and what he makes of the QB dilemma in Montreal between Trevor Harris and Vernon Adams Jr.

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:29 Show Intro
8:33 Ben Fischer, Sports Business Journal USFL Expansion Interview
35:12 Mark Perry, USFL News Hub Interview, USFL Season 1 Recap, Season 2 Plans
1:28:33 Kristina Costabile, CFL.ca CFL Week 5 Interview
1:46:31 Chris Ackie, Montreal Alouettes Interview
2:00:06 Show Outro

The XFL spoils their own 2023 city release announcement, the USFL is heading into their 2022 championship game and looking towards expansion in 2023 and we are chatting CFL week 4 on this week’s episode of The Markcast. Special guests on this week’s program include Brock Huard talking USFL, Sam Just running down the latest XFL news, Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich of the BC Lions chatting “America’s CFL team” and Avry of Avry’s Sports Show previewing CFL week 4.

Larry Lee, Director of Player Personnel in the XFL 2023 recently spoiled the 8 cities that the XFL plans to play at when they return to the field in 2023 on a local sports podcast. We break down the “blunder” coming out of the XFL, update you the listener on the 8 cities that will be hosting XFL teams in 2023, and what to look forward to as we approach the 6-month window heading into the 2023 XFL return.

Brock Huard, FOX Sports sideline reporter for the USFL returns to the program to preview the USFL championship game this weekend between the Philadelphia Stars and the Birmingham Stallions. We also get Brock’s thoughts on the USFL heading into their 2nd season in 2023 as it relates to expansion into multiple hubs or host cities and where the XFL fits into the mix in the ever-growing spring football landscape.

Sam Just of Sam Shady Sports stops by the show to give his thoughts on the XFL spoiled 2023 city release. We also get Sam to share his master list of 2022 XFL Showcase players who are trying out in an attempt to hit the field with the XFL when they return in 2023.

Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich of the BC Lions makes a long-awaited appearance on the podcast to chat all things CFL and the BC Lions as they continue their “red hot” run through the CFL into week 4. We talk changes behind the scenes, team mentality headed into the season and Nathan Rourke’s success thus far in the still young 2022 CFL season.

Avry of Avry’s Sports Show also sits down to chat CFL week 4 including QB changes in Edmonton, James Wider’s recent injury, the recent struggles of the Hamilton Ticats, and which teams he feels most bullish on and most down on headed into CFL week 4. It’s a loaded weekend of CFL talent as we head into Canada Day (and Reid’s birthday) so be sure to check out all the latest CFL chatter from our great lineup of guests.

Finally, we name off the winners of our big 2k subscriber giveaway. Make sure to check out the episode to see if you won, and please subscribe if you feel so inclined so you can be a part of our next big giveaway! Thank you all SO much for your support!

0:00 The Markcast Episode Promo
2:29 Show Intro
6:27 Brock Huard, USFL FOX Sports Reporter Interview
34:11 XFL Cities SPOILED, XFL Player Showcase List
1:13:01 Bob Marjanovich, CFL BC Lions Interview
1:42:02 Avery, Avry’s Sports Show CFL Week 4 Interview
2:06:20 Show Outro, Subscriber Giveaway

Sam’s XFL Showcase Player List -
https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/xfl-showcase-attendee-list-who-is-attending-the-six-events/

The USFL playoffs are here, we’re previewing CFL week 3 and looking forward to the USFL championship next weekend on this week’s episode of The Markcast. A loaded slate of guests join us this week to break down the latest CFL, USFL and alt-football news with Josh Shepardson of Fantasy Pros, Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, JJ Adams of Postmedia, recent CFL HoF inductee Paul McCallum and Richie Sindani of the Calgary Stampeders.

We’re previewing the USFL playoffs in Canton, Ohio this weekend with two great guests: Kosh Shepardson of Fantasy Pros and Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports. The Philadelphia Stars are facing the New Jersey Generals in a USFL North Division battle and the Birmingham Stallions are trying to make it to the USFL finals by coming out victorious in their South Division matchup against the New Orleans Breakers. We break down, analyze and give our thoughts on the two “heated” divisional rival games that comprise the 2022 USFL playoff slate. We also cover the recently announced USFL MVP and other “Top Awards” from the season including Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year and Coach of the Year. We also get Jordan’s thoughts on the USFL moving into the off-season and standout players he sees from the USFL transitioning to an NFL roster in the fall.

Lots of CFL news to cover this week as we approach week 3 of the regular CFL season. JJ Adams of Postmedia Vancouver makes a long-awaited appearance on the program to that the BC Lions hosting the Toronto Argonauts this Saturday night. We recap the strong work that Amar Doman and the rest of the BC Lions crew have done to build fan interest heading into the 2022 CFL season and if they’ve done enough to keep the moment going after the BC Lions “bye” last week. Recent Hall of Fame inducted for the Canadian Football League Paul McCallum makes a return appearance to the program to chat about his thoughts on being recognized by the Canadian Hall of Fame for his achievements over his 20+ year CFL career. Richie Sindani of the Calgary Stampeders also sits down to reflect on his CFL 2022 season thus far (which included standout performances the last 2 weeks) as well as preview the Stampeders’ week 3 bout against the winless 2022 Edmonton Elks.

0:00 The Markcast - Episode Promo
2:28 Show Intro
9:11 Josh Shepardson, Fantasy Pros USFL Playoffs Preview
35:15 Jordan Dajani, CBS Sports USFL Playoffs Preview
1:01:00 JJ Adams, CFL BC Lions Weekend Preview
1:26:41 Paul McCallum, CFL HoF Inductee Interview
1:35:45 Richie Sindani, Calgary Stampeders CFL Interview