How a defunct football franchise rose from pandemic cancellation to championship glory
In short: The DC Defenders' journey is a rollercoaster of professional football. From a sudden season cancellation in 2020 to a high-stakes ownership buyout by Dwayne Johnson, the team has navigated league mergers and intense rivalries to secure a major title in 2025.
The history of the Defenders is defined by sudden shifts in ownership and league structure. Originally founded by Vince McMahon's Alpha Entertainment, the team was part of the reformed XFL. However, the 2020 season was abruptly cancelled in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the suspension of all operations and the termination of all staff and players by April 10, 2020.
In August 2020, a group headed by Gerry Cardinale, Dany Garcia, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson bought the XFL for $15 million, marking a significant shift. This era paved the way for the eventual merger between the XFL and the USFL. Following regulatory approval, the leagues officially merged on December 31, 2023, to form the United Football League (UFL).
The team's resurgence culminated in the 2025 season. Following the departure of head coach Reggie Barlow, Shannon Harris took over as interim coach. After guiding the Defenders to a 58–34 win against the Michigan Panthers during the 2025 UFL championship, Harris earned the UFL Coach of the Year title. Even while using the UFL's lowest-capacity stadium, the club keeps fans engaged, recording the league's second-largest attendance figures by 2024.
The Defenders also maintain intense rivalries, most notably with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Their competitive history includes a 6–3 overall series lead for DC. Their presence in the Washington, D.C. sports landscape follows a long tradition of alternative professional football in the region, including the Washington Federals and the Baltimore CFL Colts/Stallions.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: DC Defenders
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