Why I'm Creating the PXFL

As the founder of two minor league football teams—the Minnesota Sting (defunct) and the Minneapolis Warriors, a two-time national champion—I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that semi-pro football players and teams face. Over time, it became clear that there was a gap between the opportunities available at the semi-pro level and what players needed to move forward in their careers. From that realization, the Prodigy X Football League (PXFL) was born—a league that offers players the chance to develop professionally while addressing the common issues that hold semi-pro football back.

Minneapolis-St. Paul: A Market Ripe for Growth

I believe that the Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) area is perfectly positioned to sustain a professional development football league like PXFL. The Twin Cities are surrounded by several small-market arena football teams, including teams in Duluth, Iowa, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin. This makes MSP a hub where those teams can draw top talent. The central location, combined with a wealth of skilled players in the region, makes the Twin Cities the ideal place for PXFL to flourish. With the right infrastructure and professional standards in place, PXFL is set to thrive in this vibrant football community.

The key to making this league work was finding the perfect venue, and securing TCO Stadium in Eagan—the home of the Minnesota Vikings—was absolutely critical to our success. TCO Stadium provides a professional atmosphere where players can showcase their skills without the burden of long travel. This centralized location allows teams to focus on their development while competing at a high level every week.

Addressing the Challenges in Semi-Pro Football

1. More Playing Time, More Opportunities

One of the biggest advantages of PXFL's modified arena-style football format is that it significantly increases playing opportunities for athletes. In a traditional 11-man football format, if you take 160 football players and place them on three teams, each with 53 players, only 66 players can start a game—11 on offense and 11 on defense per team. However, in PXFL's 8-man format, if you take the same 160 players and place them on eight teams, each with 20 players, you get 128 total starting positions. That’s almost double the number of starting opportunities for the same pool of players.

This increased playing time is crucial for players who are looking to develop their skills and gain exposure. By maximizing the number of starting positions, PXFL ensures that more athletes have the chance to showcase their talent and improve on the field. This structure is ideal for players who may not have had the opportunity to start in traditional football leagues but are eager to compete and grow.

2. The Importance of a Central Venue

One of the biggest issues in semi-pro football is the long-distance travel for games. In the past, Minnesota had six to ten teams within a two-hour radius of the Twin Cities, and several were within just 30 minutes. This made travel manageable, and players didn’t have to worry about the financial or physical strain of long trips. However, due to the issues many semi-pro teams face—financial problems, inconsistent professionalism, and organizational difficulties—many of those teams no longer exist. Now, the remaining teams are often forced to travel long distances, which takes a toll on the players.

That’s why finding the perfect venue for PXFL was essential. By hosting all games at TCO Stadium, we eliminate the travel burden and allow players to focus on the game, not the journey. This centralized location also creates a professional environment where teams can perform at their best every week. It’s a solution to one of the major issues that have held back semi-pro football in recent years.

3. Professionalism and Consistency

In semi-pro football, the level of professionalism can vary greatly between teams. Some are well-organized and competitive, while others struggle with resources, coaching, and management. This inconsistency leads to uneven matchups, where the quality of play can vary greatly from game to game.

PXFL solves this by ensuring that all teams operate under the same professional standards. We centralize the management of all eight teams, making sure they have the resources, coaching, and structure necessary to perform at a high level. This consistency ensures that every game is competitive and that players are developing in a professional environment.

4. Financial and Operational Stability

One of the major challenges for semi-pro football teams is financial instability. Teams often struggle to collect player dues, pay for travel, and secure sponsorships. This makes it difficult for teams to focus on player development and can lead to operational difficulties that affect the quality of the league.

PXFL addresses these financial concerns by taking on the responsibility of managing the league’s finances. Teams no longer have to worry about paying bills or finding sponsors—the league handles all of that. Additionally, PXFL is committed to providing players with exposure through media and content creation. Every game will be professionally filmed and photographed, ensuring that players have the opportunity to be seen by scouts and higher-level leagues.

The Arena Football Connection: 8-Man Football and the Next Step for Players

The Prodigy X Football League runs a modified version of Indoor Football League (IFL) arena-style football, playing 8-man games. The reason for this is simple: the natural progression for players after semi-pro football is almost always arena football. In fact, 99 out of 100 times, players who want to continue their football careers beyond the semi-pro level move into the arena game.

By adopting a modified IFL 8-man format, PXFL prepares players for that next step. The 8-man game is faster and more intense than traditional football, requiring players to adapt to new strategies and tactics. This style of play mirrors what players will experience if they advance to a paid arena football league. PXFL’s focus on this format helps players bridge the gap between semi-pro football and professional opportunities in arena leagues.

A League Built for Professional Development

PXFL is more than just another football league—it’s a professional development platform. We’ve built this league to provide players with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to grow as athletes and advance their football careers. Whether through our affiliate program, which allows players to earn money by promoting merchandise, tickets, and sponsorships, or through the exposure they’ll receive from our media efforts, PXFL is designed to help players take the next step in their careers.

Minneapolis-St. Paul is the perfect market for a league like PXFL, and with the right structure in place, I’m confident that this league can thrive. We’re bringing together top local talent, a professional venue, and a competitive format that prepares players for the next level. PXFL is here to stay, and we’re ready to help the next generation of football players reach their full potential.

Passion for Building Community Through Football

I am incredibly passionate and excited to spearhead the Prodigy X Football League. I’ve always believed that football is the ultimate platform to help build better men and foster a sense of community around competitive sports. PXFL isn’t just about developing players on the field—it’s about helping them grow as individuals, teammates, and leaders. This league will bring people together, uniting players, coaches, and fans in a shared love for the game and a commitment to excellence.

Aaron Anderson
CEO - PXFL
[email protected]