After Dany Garcia and ex-husband Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson purchased the bankrupt XFL in August, Garcia became the first woman to own a professional sports league. As an XFL return in 2021 nears, Garcia is ready for the challenge ahead.

Behind every successful man there stands a strong woman.

If the old proverb needs a rebrand, Dany Garcia is the perfect fit. In August 2020, she and her ex-husband, Dwayne Johnson, together with private equity firm RedBird Capital, purchased the XFL for $15 million, making Garcia the first woman to own a professional sports league. It was a monumental achievement for Garcia, but it’s hard to compete for headlines when the Rock is involved.

“Whenever I see: Danny Garcia and ex-husband Dwayne Johnson, I’m like, Oh, I got an ex-husband this time,” says Garcia, laughing. “Because I’m always the ex-wife.”

The 51-year-old projects an understated but effective self-confidence that