The Vatican City is the world's smallest sovereign state. What was once part of Rome was declared independent in 1929. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Holy Roman Church and it has fewer than 1,000 citizens. Inside its walls you will find vast collections of art, religious artifacts and rich traditions.
Originally, six teams were announced and two teams would be announced at later date. Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, New York, San Francisco, and Washington were all awarded teams. The XFL, switched, Miami and Washington to Birmingham, Memphis, Chicago, and Las Vegas making the XFL team total at eight. During the season, XFL debuted on February 3, 2001 in Las Vegas and Orlando. The world was eager to find out about the XFL. Ratings were high but interest died quickly in the league.
In its debut on February 3rd, 2001 the XFL garnered approximately 14 million viewers and a 9.6 Nielsen rating. The following week the ratings dropped to 4.6. Toward the end of the season ratings had fallen to a 1.5 on March 31st for a game between NY-NJ and Chicago, at that time the lowest ever for any major network primetime weekend first-run sports television broadcast in the U.S.