The XFL has turned to a sports industry veteran to become its first president and chief operating officer. Jeffrey Pollack will serve in the role, overseeing the upstart football league’s strategic planning and business operations, as well as the management of the league’s eight teams.
“Just as Oliver Luck is perfectly suited to be commissioner and CEO, so too is Jeffrey Pollack suited perfectly to be XFL president and COO with his extraordinary experience and diverse background across a variety of global sports properties,” said Vince McMahon, XFL founder and chairman. “I have no doubt that Oliver and Jeffrey will successfully reimagine the game of football and guide the XFL to long-term success.”
Pollack most recently served as chief marketing and strategy officer and special adviser to the NFL’s San Diego Chargers. He began his sports career in 1994 as the founding president and publisher ofThe Sports Business Daily. He has also worked at the NBA as strategic communications consultant and as the league’s vice president of marketing and corporate communications; at NASCAR as managing director of broadcasting and new media; and as commissioner of the World Series of Poker and vice president of sports and entertainment marketing for Caesars Entertainment.
“It’s not often that a new professional sports league is positioned for success like the XFL,” said Pollack. “There’s a clear vision for what we will offer our fans, players and partners, and I look forward to working closely with Vince and Oliver to bring that vision to life.”
The XFL will begin play in spring 2020 in eight cities: New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and Washington, D.C.