Michael Mink, who had helped reorganize the AIFL into the American Indoor Football Association in 2007 and was involved with it until its merger in late 2010, then partnered with Smith as co-owner.

Unlike other indoor football leagues, the X-League allowed for the use of two-back sets (formations) that more closely reflected those in the outdoor game.

Defensive players had to start in a standard 3-2-3 formation but, unlike the restrictions found in arena football, could move freely once the ball was snapped.

On top of these features, the league allowed for a four-point conversion during the final minute of the game, using a special red football for the occasion.

On August 7, 2014 the Corpus Christi Fury and Florida Tarpons jointly announced that they would leave the UIFL to join the X-League.

The Rio Grande Valley Sol of Hidalgo, Texas announced they would move from the Lone Star Football League to the X-League on August 27, 2014.