WWE chairman Vince McMahon launches 'new XFL'

WWE chairman and majority shareholder Vince McMahon has launched a new American football league, to begin in 2020.

McMahon, who will remain in his role at WWE and is personally funding the project through his Alpha Entertainment entity, announced the news in a live stream.

Plans for the XFL at launch include eight teams, 40-man active rosters and a 10-week regular-season schedule, with a post-season consisting of two semi-final playoff games and a championship game.

Road to the Superbowl: 2017 NFL Games Of The Year

"The new XFL is an exciting opportunity to reimagine America's favourite sport," said McMahon. "As we move towards kick-off, we look forward to listening and implementing innovative ideas from players, coaches, medical experts, technology executives, the media and most importantly football fans."

McMahon previously ran an American football league, also called the XFL, in 2001 and it ran for a single season before being cancelled.

"People don't want social and political issues coming into play when they are trying to be entertained," McMahon told ESPN. "We want someone who wants to take a knee to do their version of that on their personal time."