The Michigan Wolverines was bought by new owner Mr. Shark last season and under his leadership won the AXC South crown.
The billionaire fishing magnet makes Orlando his home and at midnight on February 5th, moving trucks left the Michigan Wolverines headquarters in Ann Arbor and moved the francise to Orlando.
In a tweeter post, shortly after the moving trucks left Ann Arbor, Mr. Shark posted that he was taking his francise home to Orlando where they would be rebranded the Guardians.
A few minutes later, Disney announced that the Orlando Guardians would be playing in the newly constructed, 93,000 seat Disney Stadium. The stadium features a retractable roof and Disney announced the Guardians had signed a 10 year lease to play their home games at their facility.
Commissioner C.J. Frederickson was contacted by local leaders in Ann Arbor demanding a ruling on the impromptu move while fans in Michigan held late night vigils with signs pleading with the XFL to return their team. The Commish issued this statement:
Mr. Shark bought the francise with full intention of moving the Wolverines to Orlando once construction of Disney Stadium was complete. He filed all the proper paperwork and once construction was complete and Michigan government refused to build him a new stadium and update the training facilities, he was given approval to not only relocate the francise but to also rename them to the Guardians. The XFL fully supports the move to Orlando and welcomes Disney into the XFL family."
The move was ratified quickly by a majority of owners once the projected revenue numbers Mr. Shark & Disney submitted to the league office.