Writer: Jerrica DuBois
2 min read February 2023 — In its first official week, the San Antonio Brahmas announced the sudden departure of Vice President of Team Business and Event Operations Mike Sheehan, as well as team captain Joel Dublanko. And while they may have lost the season, and league, opener to the St. Louis Battlehawks 18 to 15, San Antonio was announced as the host for the league’s championship game.
The announcement of Sheehan’s firing came two days after more than 20,000 fans packed the Alamodome for the inaugural franchise game. According to Jeff Altstadter, vice president of communications for the XFL, Sheehan is no longer working for the league due to a personal matter that will not be commented on due to XFL policy.
“As a centralized model, all decisions for the team are made by the League office in consultation with local staff,” Altstadter added in an email to MySA. “The League is committed to San Antonio and the championship game and is well positioned for future growth.”
The very next day, the Brahmas hit the news feeds again with the announcement of Dublanko’s release, as well as tight end Jamal Pettigrew. Designated one of the five team captains days prior to the opening game, expectations seemed high for the middle linebacker to be a pillar for San Antonio’s defense.
However, by Sunday’s game, Dublanko did not take the field against the Battlehacks and was not listed on the injury report. The team has not elaborated beyond deeming it a “personnel decision.”
Despite the initial challenges, the San Antonio Brahmas are moving forward and making an impact on the city of San Antonio. The Brahmans game was sold out, doubling the attendance of the second-highest attended XFL game.
“It was gratifying to see the fans in the stands,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement. “Because that’s what we know: San Antonio shows up, they show out, they cheer for our home team. They can count on San Antonio to be a very successful city for the league, a showpiece for the city, for the league.”
At the opening game, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia, co-owners of the XFL, took the opportunity to officially announce the Alamodome will serve as the host for the league’s championship game.
“You could feel it today, the passion, the excitement,” co-owner Danny Garcia said in a statement. “This city has been overlooked in the past and this is an opportunity, we are not gonna do (that). This is an incredible city they’re so warm, so much juice, so much history and heritage, and this is a football town.”
“Our inaugural XFL season is officially rolling with our eight teams showing out and representing the passionate fans of their cities,” Johnson added. “From now through May, our athletes have their eyes set on the Championship game and we’re pumped to bring this historic event to the Alamodome.”
The San Antonio Brahmans are currently spending a few weeks on the road, with their first away game earning them a 30-12 victory over the Orlando Guardians. The Brahmans are set to face the Houston Roughnecks and the Seattle Sea Dragons before they return home to the Alamodome to square off with the Arlington Renegades on March 19.
