Reports: AAF suspends operations after just eight weeks

FAN Editor
FILE PHOTO: The logo for the Alliance of American Football League is shown at media event at SDCCU Stadium where the new league introduced a team and head coach to San Diego
FILE PHOTO: The logo for the Alliance of American Football League is shown at media event at SDCCU Stadium where the new league introduced a team and head coach to the eight-team league, set to begin play February 2019, in San Diego, California, U.S., May 31, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake

April 2, 2019

Just eight weeks into its inaugural season, the Alliance of American Football suspended operations Tuesday, league co-founder Bill Polian confirmed.

Polian said he was “extremely disappointed” with the decision made by AAF majority owner Tom Dundon, who committed to make a $250 million investment in the eight-team league in February, putting in $70 million at the time.

“When Mr. Dundon took over, it was the belief of my co-founder, Charlie Ebersol, and myself that we would finish the season, pay our creditors, and make the necessary adjustments to move forward in a manner that made economic sense for all,” Polian said in a statement.

“The momentum generated by our players, coaches and football staff had us well positioned for future success. Regrettably, we will not have that opportunity.”

Dundon, who owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, told USA Today last week the AAF was in jeopardy because it had been unable to gain access to young NFL talent. He said the AAF “can’t be a development league” without cooperation from the NFL Players Association.

The AAF was entering Week 9 of its 10-week regular season. The teams are based in Atlanta, Birmingham (Ala.), Memphis, Orlando, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego and Tempe (Ariz.).

The league signed all of its players to three-year, non-guaranteed contracts worth $70,000 in the first year, $80,000 in the second and $100,000 in the third.

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel, who joined the league last month with Memphis, offered his advice to AAF players on Twitter.

“The last check you got will be the last one that you get. No lawsuit or anything else will get you your bread,” the former Heisman Trophy winner wrote. “Save your money and keep your head up. It’s the only choice at this point unless something drastic happens.”

Orlando coach Steve Spurrier, whose team compiled a league-best 7-1 record, told reporters it was “sad to end this way.” He also claimed a victory, of sorts.

“We’re all disappointed, but on the other side, we got to be the champs, right? We’re 7-1 and the next teams are 5-3,” Spurrier said.

“Some of us didn’t get into the Alliance to advance our careers, but the players … I’m more disappointed for all the players that believe, ‘This is my chance to show people this, that and the other that I can play this game.’ And a lot of them will get opportunities. They’ve shown enough.”

–Field Level Media

Free America Network Articles

Leave a Reply

Next Post

Trump on closing the US-Mexico border: 'Security is more important to me than trade'

President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his threat to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border, insisting that any economic damage from the move would be overshadowed by the benefits of greater security. Asked at the White Hose whether shutting the border would hurt the U.S. economy, Trump replied, “Sure, it will […]