The Seattle Sea Dragons were a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. The Sea Dragons competed in the second incarnation of the XFL. The team was founded by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment as the Seattle Dragons, and were owned and operated by Dwayne Johnson’s Alpha Acquico. The Sea Dragons played their home games at Lumen Field.
History
[edit]
McMahon era (2020)
[edit]Seattle Dragons in uniform in 2020.
On December 5, 2018, Seattle was announced as one of eight cities that would join the newly reformed XFL, as well as St. Louis, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, DC, Tampa Bay, and Dallas.[3] Former Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn, who was the first quarterback to start for the Seahawks,[4] was named the team's first head coach on February 25, 2019.[5] The team name and logo were revealed on August 21, 2019, as well as the team's uniforms on December 3, 2019.[6]
On October 15, 2019, The Dragons announced their first player in team history, being assigned former Memphis Express Quarterback Brandon Silvers.[7]
The Dragons won their first game in team history on February 16, 2020, defeating the Tampa Bay Vipers 17-9. On March 12, 2020, The XFL announced that the remainder of the 2020 XFL season had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finished with a 1–4 record. On April 10, 2020, the XFL suspended operations, with all of the league's employees, players and staff being terminated.[8]
Former logo of the Seattle Dragons in the 2020 XFL season.
Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia era (2023)
[edit]
On August 3, 2020, it was reported that a consortium led by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Gerry Cardinale (through Cardinale's fund RedBird Capital Partners) purchased the XFL for $15 million just hours before an auction could take place; the purchase received court approval on August 7, 2020.[9][10] The XFL hired Jim Haslett as a Head Coach on April 13, 2022, with the expectation that he would be coaching the Seattle team.[11] On July 24, 2022, the return of the Seattle XFL franchise was confirmed, as well as the hiring of Jim Haslett.[12] Haslett brought on June Jones, who had been head coach of the undefeated Houston Roughnecks the previous XFL season, in as the offensive coordinator to run the Run and Shoot offense. On October 31, 2022, the XFL officially announced that the Dragons would be changing their name to "Sea Dragons", as well as unveiling a brand new logo.
The newly rechristened Sea Dragons' 2023 season saw the team earn their first playoff berth and clinch second place in the North Division with a 7–3 record. The Sea Dragons would be eliminated by the DC Defenders in the North Division title game in the playoffs.[13]
In September 2023, Axios reported that the XFL was in advanced talks with the USFL to merge the two leagues prior to the start of their 2024 seasons.[14] On September 28, 2023, the XFL and USFL announced their intent to merge with details surrounding the merger to be announced at a later date.[15] The merger would also require regulatory approval.[16] In October 2023 the XFL filed a trademark application for the name "United Football League".[17] On November 30, 2023, Garcia announced via her Instagram page that the leagues had received regulatory approval for the merger and were finalizing plans for a "combined season" to begin March 30, 2024.[18] The merger was made official on December 31, 2023, and on January 1, 2024, it was announced the Sea Dragons would not be a part of the merger.[19][20] Geographic concerns were a substantial factor in the Dragons being excluded, as the newly merged league had a reduced geographic footprint (concentrated mostly in the midwestern and southern United States) compared to the XFL in an effort to limit travel expenses.[21] The league retains an interest in the market, reportedly has identified the Sea Dragons as a frontrunner for revival for the league's planned 2026 expansion and has maintained a retainer agreement with Lumen Field for the potential return of the franchise;[22] league vice president Daryl Johnston stated in March 2025 that the geographic restrictions that led to Seattle being suspended in the merger would not be an issue once the league began rewarding expansion teams.[23] The UFL considered hosting the 2025 championship game in Seattle under the retainer agreement, a reward typically only given to cities with active teams, but found the stadium was unavailable due to conflicts with the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.[24][25] No such expansion ever happened, and the arrival of Mike Repole as incoming business director and his insistence on smaller soccer-specific stadiums for all of the UFL's teams would rule out the Sea Dragons' return for the foreseeable future, commenting that NFL-sized stadiums like Lumen Field are oversized for his vision for the league and that he is targeting non-NFL markets.[26]
Coach history
[edit]
Head coach history
[edit]
#
Name
Term
Regular season
Playoffs
Awards
GC
W
L
Win %
GC
W
L
Seattle Dragons
1
Jim Zorn
2020
5
1
4
.200
–
–
–
Seattle Sea Dragons
2
Jim Haslett
2023
10
7
3
.700
1
0
1
Offensive coordinator history
[edit]
#
Name
Term
Regular season
Playoffs
Awards
GC
W
L
Win %
GC
W
L
Seattle Dragons
1
Mike Riley
2020
5
1
4
.200
–
–
–
Seattle Sea Dragons
2
June Jones
2023
10
7
3
.700
1
0
1
Defensive coordinator history
[edit]
#
Name
Term
Regular season
Playoffs
Awards
GC
W
L
Win %
GC
W
L
Seattle Dragons
1
Clayton Lopez
2020
5
1
4
.200
–
–
–
Seattle Sea Dragons
2
Ron Zook
2023
10
7
3
.700
1
0
1
Player history
[edit]
Current NFL players
[edit]
XFL season
Pos
Name
NFL team
2020
G
Michael Dunn
Cleveland Browns
Notable players
[edit]
XFL season
Pos
Name
Notes
2020
LB
Steven Johnson
Former Denver Broncos Linebacker
2023
WR
Josh Gordon
Former Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver, 2012 2nd Round Pick, 2013 Pro Bowler
2023
RB
Phillip Lindsay
Former Denver Broncos Pro Bowl Running Back
2023
LB
Jordan Evans
Former Cincinnati Bengals Linebacker
Rivalries
[edit]
Overall regular season record vs. opponents
[edit]
Team
Record
Win %
Vegas Vipers
3-0
1.000
Orlando Guardians
1-0
1.000
San Antonio Brahmas
1-0
1.000
Houston Roughnecks
1-1
.500
Arlington Renegades
1-1
.500
St. Louis Battlehawks
1-2
.333
DC Defenders
0-3
.000
Season-by-season record
[edit]
XFL champions§
Division champions^
Wild Card berth#
Season
Team
League
Conference
Division
Regular season
Postseason results
Awards
Head coaches
Pct.
Finish
W
L
2020
2020
XFL
West
4th
1
4
Season suspended after 5 games due to COVID-19
Jim Zorn
.200
2021
No Season
2022
2023
2023
XFL
North
2nd #
7
3
Lost Division Finals (Defenders) 21–37
Jim Haslett
.700
Total
8
7
All-time regular season record (2020–2023)
.533
0
1
All-time postseason record (2020–2023)
.000
8
8
All-time regular season and postseason record (2020–2023)
.500
Records
[edit]
All-time Sea Dragons leaders
Leader
Player
Record
Years with Sea Dragons
Passing yards
Ben DiNucci
2,671 passing yards
2023
Passing touchdowns
Ben DiNucci
20 passing touchdowns
2023
Rushing yards
Ben DiNucci
305 rushing yards
2023
Rushing touchdowns
Ben DiNucci
3 rushing touchdowns
2023
Receiving yards
Jahcour Pearson
670 receiving yards
2023
Receiving touchdowns
Juwan Green
6 receiving touchdowns
2023
Receptions
Jahcour Pearson
60 receptions
2023
Tackles
Steven Johnson
Qwynnterrio Cole
48 tackles
2020
2023
Sacks
Tuzar Skipper
6.0 sacks
2023
Interceptions
Qwynnterrio Cole
3 interceptions
2023
References
[edit]
^"Seattle Dragons' uniforms, helmet". XFL.com (Press release). December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
^Perry, Mark (August 3, 2020). "More Details On The Rock Purchase Of The XFL, How Many Bidders". XFL News Hub. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
^"XFL picks Houston as an inaugural city, announces stadiums". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^Hanson, Scott. "'It really is something to savor': QB Brandon Silvers to lead XFL Dragons in franchise's first game". Seattle Times. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
^"Seahawks legend Jim Zorn named coach and GM of Seattle's XFL franchise". February 25, 2019.
^Spedden, Zach (August 21, 2019). "XFL Team Names and Logos Unveiled". Football Stadium Digest. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^Florio, Mike (October 15, 2019). "XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^Seifert/Yates, Kevin/Field (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, lays off employees and has no plans for 2021 season". www.ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
^"THE ROCK BUYS THE XFL FOR $15 MILLION". RingsideNews.com. August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
^Kerr, Jeff (August 2, 2020). "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson buys XFL for $15 million with partners RedBird Capital and Dany Garcia". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
^"XFL Announces Head Coaches: Reggie Barlow, Anthony Becht, Terrell Buckley, Jim Haslett, Wade Phillips, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson". www.xfl.com. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^"XFL UNVEILS TEAM MARKETS AND VENUES: ARLINGTON, HOUSTON, ORLANDO, LAS VEGAS, SAN ANTONIO, SEATTLE, ST. LOUIS, WASHINGTON D.C." www.xfl.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
^"Sea Dragons see season end in XFL North Division title game". The Seattle Times. April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
^Baysinger, Tim; Primack, Dan; Fischer, Sara (September 19, 2023). "Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks". Axios. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
^TSN ca Staff (September 28, 2023). "XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge". TSN. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
^Schad, Tom (September 28, 2023). "XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league". USA Today. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
^"XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL'". San Antonio Express-News. October 18, 2023.
^"We are pleased to have completed the antitrust review process in connection with the proposed merger of the XFL and USFL and intend to play a combined season this spring kicking off on Saturday, March 30. We are now finalizing terms of the definitive agreement and will share more about this new League in the coming weeks". Instagram.
^"USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL". Yahoo Sports. December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
^Larsen, James (January 1, 2024). "United Football League Announces Their 8 UFL Teams For 2024". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
^Schneider, Joey (January 3, 2024). "'St. Louis was all in' – UFL leader Daryl Johnston speaks on Battlehawks and new merger". FOX 2. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
^Camenker, Jacob. "UFL expansion timeline: Why spring league is exploring new cities, teams". USA Today. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
^Larsen, James (February 20, 2025). "St. Louis Expected To Host The 2025 UFL Championship". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
^Perry, Mark (February 20, 2025). "UFL 2025 Championship Game To Be Played In St Louis". Retrieved February 20, 2025.
^Seifert, Kevin (July 31, 2025). "How billionaire Mike Repole plans to change the vibe of the UFL, expand it to 16 teams". ESPN.com. Retrieved August 29, 2025.
External links
[edit]
Official website
Media related to Seattle Dragons at Wikimedia Commons
WFTDA Dockyard Derby Dames Jet City Roller Derby Rat City Roller Derby RDCL Tilted Thunder Rail Birds MRDA Puget Sound Outcast Derby
Soccer
MLS Seattle Sounders FC MLSNP Tacoma Defiance USL2 Ballard FC West Seattle Junction FC Midlakes United Tacoma Stars NPSL Crossfire Redmond OSA Seattle FC NWSL Seattle Reign FC USLW Salmon Bay FC West Seattle Rhodies FC Tacoma Galaxy WPSL Issaquah Soccer Club OSA FC Sound FC MASL Tacoma Stars
Rugby
MLR Seattle Seawolves BC Men's Premier League Seattle Rugby Club
Ultimate
AUDL Seattle Cascades WUL Seattle Tempest
College athletics(NCAA Div. I)
University of Washington Seattle University
Historical
Baseball
IBL Snohomish County Explosion (2006–2009) MLB Seattle Pilots (1969) NABL Snohomish County Explosion (2010) WCNBA Seattle Steelheads (1944–1946)
Basketball
ABA Washington Rampage (2011–2014) ABL Seattle Reign (1996–1998) NBA Seattle SuperSonics (1967–2008)
WFTDA Bellingham Roller Betties Dockyard Derby Dames Jet City Roller Derby Lilac City Roller Girls Oly Rollers Port Scandalous Roller Derby Rainy City Roller Dolls Rat City Roller Derby Slaughter County Roller Vixens RDCL Tilted Thunder Rail Birds MRDA Puget Sound Outcast Derby
Rugby
MLR Seattle Seawolves
Soccer
MLS Seattle Sounders FC NWSL Seattle Reign FC USLS Spokane Zephyr FC MLSNP Tacoma Defiance USL1 Spokane Velocity FC USL2 Ballard FC Bigfoot FC Midlakes United FC Olympia Snohomish United Tacoma Stars West Seattle Junction FC USLW FC Olympia Salmon Bay FC Tacoma Galaxy West Seattle Rhodies FC Bigfoot FC EPLWA Everett Jets FC Spokane Shadow FC Northstar Bellevue Bellingham United FC Skagit Valley FC Washington East Surf Rat City FC Yakima United FC Vancouver Victory FC FC Olympia Reserves WPSL PacNW FC Sound FC Spokane Shadow Spokane Shine MASL Tacoma Stars
Ultimate
UFA Seattle Cascades
Collegeathletics
NCAA Division I Eastern Washington Eagles Gonzaga Bulldogs Seattle Redhawks Washington Huskies Washington State Cougars NCAA Division II Central Washington Wildcats Saint Martin's Saints Seattle Pacific Falcons Western Washington Vikings NCAA Division III Pacific Lutheran Lutes Puget Sound Loggers Whitman Blues Whitworth Pirates
Media related to Seattle Dragons at Wikimedia Commons
Sports teams based in Washington