Seattle Sea Dragons

American football team

Seattle Sea Dragons

Established 2018 (as the Seattle Dragons)
Folded 2024
League/conference affiliations
XFL (2020–2023)

* West Division (2020)
* North Division (2023)

Current uniform

Team colors| Orange, navy, green[1]

Personnel
Owner(s)|

* Alpha Acquico, LLC[2]
*     * (RedBird Capital Partners
* Dwayne Johnson
* Dany Garcia)

Head coach| Jim Zorn (2020)
Jim Haslett (2023)
Team history

* Seattle Dragons (2020–2022)
* Seattle Sea Dragons (2023)

Championships
League championships (0)

Conference championships (0)

Division championships (0)

Playoff appearances (1)

* XFL: 2023

Home stadium(s)

* Lumen Field (2020, 2023)

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]

## 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]

1. ^ "Seattle Dragons' uniforms, helmet". XFL.com (Press release). December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
2. ^ Perry, Mark (August 3, 2020). "More Details On The Rock Purchase Of The XFL, How Many Bidders". XFL News Hub. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
3. ^ "XFL picks Houston as an inaugural city, announces stadiums". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
4. ^ 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.
5. ^ "Seahawks legend Jim Zorn named coach and GM of Seattle's XFL franchise". February 25, 2019.
6. ^ Spedden, Zach (August 21, 2019). "XFL Team Names and Logos Unveiled". Football Stadium Digest. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
7. ^ Florio, Mike (October 15, 2019). "XFL announces its eight allocated quarterbacks". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
8. ^ 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.
9. ^ "THE ROCK BUYS THE XFL FOR $15 MILLION". RingsideNews.com. August 2, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
10. ^ 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.
11. ^ "XFL Announces Head Coaches: Reggie Barlow, Anthony Becht, Terrell Buckley, Jim Haslett, Wade Phillips, Bob Stoops, Hines Ward and Rod Woodson". www.xfl.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
12. ^ "XFL UNVEILS TEAM MARKETS AND VENUES: ARLINGTON, HOUSTON, ORLANDO, LAS VEGAS, SAN ANTONIO, SEATTLE, ST. LOUIS, WASHINGTON D.C." www.xfl.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
13. ^ "Sea Dragons see season end in XFL North Division title game". The Seattle Times. April 30, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
14. ^ Baysinger, Tim; Primack, Dan; Fischer, Sara (September 19, 2023). "Scoop: Football leagues XFL and USFL in merger talks". Axios. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
15. ^ TSN ca Staff (September 28, 2023). "XFL, United States Football League announce intention to merge". TSN. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
16. ^ Schad, Tom (September 28, 2023). "XFL, USFL confirm intention to merge into single spring football league". USA Today. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
17. ^ "XFL files trademark applications for 'United Football League' and 'UFL'". San Antonio Express-News. October 18, 2023.
18. ^ "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.
19. ^ "USFL, XFL announce merger, formation of new spring football league: The UFL". Yahoo Sports. December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
20. ^ Larsen, James (January 1, 2024). "United Football League Announces Their 8 UFL Teams For 2024". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
21. ^ 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.
22. ^ Perry, Mark (November 27, 2024). "UFL Expansion: Seattle Leads 10 Markets Eyeing 2026 Entry". UFL News Hub. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
23. ^ Camenker, Jacob. "UFL expansion timeline: Why spring league is exploring new cities, teams". USA Today. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
24. ^ Larsen, James (February 20, 2025). "St. Louis Expected To Host The 2025 UFL Championship". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
25. ^ Perry, Mark (February 20, 2025). "UFL 2025 Championship Game To Be Played In St Louis". Retrieved February 20, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Media related to Seattle Dragons at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

Seattle Sea Dragons

* Founded in 2018
* Formerly the Seattle Dragons (2020)
* Defunct XFL (2020) club 2018–2024
* Based in Seattle, WA

Franchise|

* History
* Seasons
* Players
* Coaches

Stadiums|

* Lumen Field

Key personnel|

* Co-Owners: Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia
* General manager: Jim Haslett
* Head coach: Jim Haslett

Affiliations|

* League: XFL
Conference: West (2020); North (2023)

Seasons|

* 2020
* ~~2021~~
* ~~2022~~
* 2023

* v
* t
* e

XFL (2020–2023)

Northern Division|

| Teams|

* DC Defenders
* Seattle Sea Dragons
* St. Louis Battlehawks
* Vegas Vipers

|

Stadiums|

* Audi Field
* Cashman Field
* The Dome at America's Center
* Lumen Field

Southern Division|

| Teams|

* Arlington Renegades
* Houston Roughnecks
* Orlando Guardians
* San Antonio Brahmas

|

Stadiums|

* Alamodome
* Camping World Stadium
* Choctaw Stadium
* TDECU Stadium

Former teams|

* Los Angeles Wildcats (2020)

Key personnel|

* Dany Garcia
* chairwoman/co-owner
* Dwayne Johnson
* co-owner
* Russ Brandon
* president
* Doug Whaley
* senior VP, player personnel
* Dean Blandino
* head of officiating
* Former:
* Vince McMahon, founder
* Oliver Luck, commissioner (2020)
* Jeffrey Pollack, president (2020–21)

Drafts|

* 2020
* 2023
* 2023 rookie

Seasons|

* 2020
* 2023
* ~~2024~~

Championships|

* 2023

Related articles|

* XFL starting quarterbacks
* XFL (2001)
* UFL (2024)

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in and around Seattle

Baseball|

MLB
Seattle Mariners
PCL
Tacoma Rainiers
NWL
Everett AquaSox

Basketball|

WNBA
Seattle Storm
ABA
Seattle Mountaineers

Football|

NFL
Seattle Seahawks
AFL
Washington Wolfpack
IWFL
Seattle Majestics

Hockey|

NHL
Seattle Kraken
PWHL
PWHL Seattle
WHL
Everett Silvertips : Seattle Thunderbirds
USPHL
Seattle Totems

Roller derby|

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)

Esports|

CDL
Seattle Surge (2019–2024)

Football|

AF2
Everett Hawks (2006–2007)
COFL
Seattle Rangers (1967–1969)
IFL
Everett Raptors (2010–2012)
LFL
Seattle Mist (2009–2019)
NIFL
Everett Hawks (2005)
NWFL
Everett Hawks (2002–2004)
XFL
Seattle Sea Dragons (2020–2023)

Hockey|

CHL
Seattle Totems (1944–1974)
PCHA
Seattle Metropolitans (1915–1924)
WCHL
Tacoma Sabercats (1997–2002)
WHL
Tacoma Rockets (1991–1995)

Lacrosse|

NLL
Washington Stealth (2010–2013)

Rugby league|

AMNRL
Seattle Force

Soccer|

CISL
Seattle SeaDogs (1995–1997)
NPSL
Inter United FC (2014)
PASL
Seattle Sporting FC (2013–2016)

Team tennis|

WTT
Seattle Cascades (1974–1978)

Main article: Sports in Seattle

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Washington

Baseball|

MLB
Seattle Mariners
PCL
Tacoma Rainiers

Everett AquaSox
Spokane Indians
Tri-City Dust Devils
WCL
Bellingham Bells
Cowlitz Black Bears
Port Angeles Lefties
Ridgefield Raptors
Walla Walla Sweets
Wenatchee AppleSox
Yakima Valley Pippins

Basketball|

WNBA
Seattle Storm
TBL
Wenatchee Valley Bighorns
Seattle SuperHawks
Vancouver Volcanoes

Cricket|

MLC
Seattle Orcas
MiLC
Seattle Thunderbolts

Football|

NFL
Seattle Seahawks
AF1
Washington Wolfpack
WNFC
Seattle Majestics

Ice hockey|

NHL
Seattle Kraken
PWHL
PWHL Seattle
WHL
Everett Silvertips
Seattle Thunderbirds
Spokane Chiefs
Tri-City Americans
Wenatchee Wild
USPHL
Bellingham Blazers
Bremerton Sockeyes
Seattle Totems

Roller derby|

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

College
athletics|

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
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