WFL stands for World Football League, and it is a professional American football league that operated for two seasons in the mid-1970s. The WFL was created as a rival league to the well-established National Football League (NFL), aiming to challenge its dominance and create a more competitive landscape for professional football.
The World Football League was founded in 1973 by Gary Davidson, who had previously been involved in the creation of both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the World Hockey Association (WHA). The league began its inaugural season in 1974 with twelve teams spread across the United States and Hawaii.
One of the unique aspects of the WFL was its introduction of various new rules and innovations in an attempt to differentiate itself from the NFL. Some of these included a 20-yard end zone, overtime tiebreaker rules, and a system that allowed players to earn ownership stakes in their teams.
However, financial instability plagued the league, with many teams struggling to attract fans and secure adequate television deals. These financial difficulties ultimately led to the WFL's demise, as it folded midway through its second season in 1975. The league's legacy is marked by its role in inspiring subsequent professional football leagues, such as the United States Football League (USFL) and the XFL, both of which sought to challenge the NFL's monopoly.
In summary, the World Football League was a short-lived attempt to create an alternative professional American football league in the 1970s, aimed at rivaling the established NFL but ultimately succumbing to financial difficulties.
