Are Memphians rowdy enough to take on the challenge of being fans to one of the newest teams in football?
Memphis is now the home not only to the Tigers, but to a new bunch of football crazed animals-the Maniacs -- a new XFL team.
The team has sparked excitement among football fans in the city but not just because they are a new team.
Eight former University of Memphis players have helped to fill the roster. If that isn't enough, Maniax head coach Kippy Brown is a former player and assistant coach.
Former Memphis wide receiver Damien Dodson said the XFL is a good opportunity.
"I think that the XFL is a stepping stone for me to get back to the NFL, I'm just excited to be playing" Dodson, who has spent time with the St. Louis Rams and the Detroit Lions, said.
Tim Seymour, former Memphis offensive center, will be playing the same position for the Maniax.
Seymour received Conference USA honors when he played for Memphis and said he is excited to play for the team.
"I feel that it is a great opportunity to be a part of something new and exciting and being allowed to play professional football in the same city that you played college ball makes it even better," Seymour said.
The XFL has even made it affordable for fans to purchase tickets.
Season tickets to five Maniax home games are $99 each plus a $10 handling fee which is not much more than the $100 season ticket price to U of M football games.
Former Memphis defensive end Tramont Lawless said he thinks the fans will come out and support the Maniax.
"I think we will have a lot of fan support, not only because we are a new team but because people are familiar with some of the old Memphis players like me," he said.
For the 2001 season, each XFL team will carry 70 players into training camp. The teams will be cut to 63 on Jan. 14 and to 55 on Jan. 21. XFL rosters will be finalized with 38 active players Jan. 28.
In the XFL, kicking specialist base salary will be approximately $35,000 for a 10 game season, quarterbacks base salary will be approximately $50,000 and all players at other positions will be paid approximately $45,000 in base salary.
Each XFL player on the active roster of a team winning a regular season game will receive an incentive bonus of $2,500 for each win. The active players on the championship XFL team will receive a $25,000 bonus.
The contract term is six months with a League option for an additional year.
The season begins Feb. 3 and ends April 21 with the inaugural XFL Championship Game.
