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Former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck is leaving his high-ranking position at the NCAA to become commissioner of the XFL [url=http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-shaq-thompson-jersey]Shaq Thompson Jersey[/url] , the second edition of professional wrestling mogul Vince McMahon's football league.

McMahon announced the hire Tuesday, four months after unveiling plans to relaunch the XFL, which folded in 2001 after its only season. The new XFL is scheduled to begin in 2020. Luck will start his new job July 1.

He said the XFL presents an opportunity to reimagine football, from how it is played to how it is delivered and consumed by fans.

"Opportunities like this come along very infrequently," Luck told AP in a phone interview. "You've got Vince, who is a visionary. A well-capitalized effort. A guy who has passion for the game, but realizes that there are others who have lived and breathed the game for decades who he was able to bring on board.

"An incredibly fascinating time in terms of technology that exists to engage fans. All of those combined led me to believe the key ingredients to a successful launch are there to deliver great football, which I think was one of the failings of the original league."

Luck said McMahon assured him the XFL will be a more serious endeavor than the first time around, when the league tried to use some of the WWE's sexed-up [url=http://www.texanscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-tyler-ervin-jersey]Tyler Ervin Jersey[/url] , tough-talking antics to spice up second-rate football.

"Vince and others have really looked clear-eyed at the original XFL and acknowledged there wasn't enough focus put on the game itself," Luck said.

Luck, the father of Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, played four seasons for the Houston Oilers after being drafted in the second round out of West Virginia in 1982. He graduated from University of Texas law school in 1987.

Luck went on to a successful career in sports management in the professional and college ranks. He joined the NCAA in 2014 as executive vice president of regulatory affairs and strategic partnerships.

Luck has served as president of the now defunct NFL Europe and was general manager for two of the league's teams in Germany. He was later president and general manager of the Houston Dynamo, leading the franchise to two MLS Cup titles. Before joining the NCAA, he spent four years as athletic director of West Virginia, orchestrating the school's move to the Big 12.

"Oliver and I share the same vision and passion for reimagining the game of football," McMahon said in a statement. "His experience as both an athlete and executive will ensure the long-term success of the XFL."

At the NCAA, Luck oversaw all NCAA enforcement [url=http://www.cowboyscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-chaz-green-jersey]Chaz Green Jersey[/url] , academic and membership affairs and athlete eligibility.

"Oliver Luck has been a key member of my leadership team and he has done a superb job at the NCAA over the last three years," NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. "His vision and insight have been invaluable to our schools and the national office. Oliver's values and leadership skills helped keep the Association focused on supporting student-athletes."

The XFL plans to have eight league-owned teams, 40-man rosters and a 10-week regular season during the NFL's offseason. Host cities and stadiums are now being sought by the league through requests for proposals.

Follow Ralph D. Russo at Twitter/ralphDrussoAP


— For the first time since 2010, the Carolina Panthers have a quarterback battle on their hands heading into the preseason — at least when it comes to who’ll backup 2015 league MVP Cam Newton.

Since Newton entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, Panthers coach Ron Rivera has always had veteran Derek Anderson to fall back on as a security blanket. But the Panthers opted not to re-sign the 35-year Anderson this offseason, opening the battle for the No. 2 spot between two young QBs who have attempted one career pass between them.

Garrett Gilbert and Taylor Heinicke will begin that battle in earnest on Thursday night when the Panthers open the preseason in Buffalo against the Bills.

Rivera said Gilbert will be the first off the bench and will get some reps with the first team. Heinicke will be the third quarterback for this game, although he didn’t rule out that the QB rotation could change the following week.

“I’m really curious to watch them and see how they both do, I really am,” Rivera said. “… We are going to try to get those guys as many snaps as we can the next few weeks so we can make a good decision.”

Rivera said he’ll try to split reps as equally as possible between the two in the preseason.

“We would like to feel really good about who the guy is going to be going into the last preseason game so he can get the bulk of the work [url=http://www.cowboyscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-bob-lilly-jersey]Bob Lilly Jersey[/url] ,” Rivera said. “We will give them both some opportunities with the twos and the threes and create some situations where they can get some time with the ones.”

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said he likes what he’s seen from both young QBs in training camp.

“They are two really smart kids and can spin it really well,” Olsen said. “Of course, losing a guy like D.A. (Anderson) is tough for a lot of reasons because of who he was in the locker room for us, but we are moving in another direction.”

Ironically, both Gilbert and Heinicke have spent time in New England behind Tom Brady, although neither was able to stick with the Patriots.

Gilbert was drafted in the sixth round by the Rams in 2014 and spent time with the Patriots, Lions and Raiders before serving as Carolina’s third-string quarterback last season. However, he’s never played in a regular season game.

“You can see the confidence with how he gets up and handles things right now,” Rivera said. “He has a strong arm and we know that. So now [url=http://www.billscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-jim-kelly-jersey]Jim Kelly Jersey[/url] , it’s about knowing the offense, and what we’re trying to do and then taking it and translating.”

Heinicke has a leg up on Gilbert in that area since he’s familiar with coordinator Norv Turner’s offensive system having spent two years working under him with the Minnesota Vikings.

“He has shown us he has a good arm and good decision maker and he’s athletic as well,” Rivera said.

Gilbert said he’s not worried about the competition at this point, saying his goal is to “develop my skills and be the best quarterback for this team I can possibly be.”

NOTES: Rivera said ideally he’d like to play Newton about nine to 10 plays against the Bills. … Tyler Larsen will start at center against the Bills as the team slowly works center Ryan Kalil back into action. … Defensive end Julius Peppers still has not practiced with the team, although he has been cleared to return.

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