The AAF (Alliance of American Football) a new pro football league kicks off today!

This league is actually being very hyped, and is being supported by extremely capable people on all fronts. It has big name coach's such as Mike Singletary, Steve Spurrier, Mike Martz, Rick Neuheusel, Darryl 'Moose' Johnston, and Dennis Erickson to name a few. Also Mike Vick is the offensive Coordinator of the Atlanta team which I find interesting. Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian are two of the co-founders so the league it is not short on expertise and powerful and influential people from both the NFL and television. Games are going to be aired on CBS, TNT, and NFL network and will be on Saturdays and Sundays starting tonight. Its a 10 week season and the league has 8 teams.

Some notable players are Trent Richardson, Aaron Murray, Denard Robinson, Matt Asiata, Zac Stacy, Will Hill, Bishop Sankey, Christian Hackenburg, Zack Mettenburger, Garrett Gilbert just to name a few. So there is talent and some young talent which is sort of the catalyst of the league. Its a place to give players a chance to revive their career and possibly make it back to the NFL, or if nothing more offer opportunity for others to play professional football for a few years more. Ive seen it refereed to as a Last Chance U. (Netflix Doc.) of sorts for some, as well as a stepping stone for a possible nother' opportunity to get back into the NFL for other players. Others are saying what JUCO (junior college) is to Division I football this new AAF will be to the NFL.

A couple interesting facts I learned, there will be no extra points only 2pt conversions, no kickoffs teams start with the ball on the 20 yard line and less commercials. The broadcasters are going to be Tiki Barber, Marvin Lewis, and another guy imnot familiar with. In my opinion this league is going to succeed. The league will be a success I believe and really am looking forward to it.

Betting is available on the games, as well as futures odds. Most books including the Westgate superbook have lines up, so should be fun. There is a site to run fantasy football leagues as well.


https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/a...otball-league/

https://twitter.com/TheAAF

Could be a good situation for QBs to develop. I could see a couple of those QBs getting another shot in the league if they play well.

Unlike QBs, there is plenty of chances for RBs to show if they belong in the NFL or not. All those RBs already had their shot, and are out of the league because they aren't very good. I don't see any of those guys making it back in the league, but might be a way to make a living, so can't fault them for that.

AAWful name

sounds like the nfl is trying to sabotage the new xfl

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Originally Posted by GambleBotsSatire

sounds like the nfl is trying to sabotage the new xfl

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Well in AAF Defense wasn’t it announced before XFL as they got things up and running for this year. XFL won’t be back till 2020. Side note Arizona Hot Shots are early favs followed by their first opponent tomorrow night Salt Lake. So may see a preview of the title game right off the bat. Tickets aren’t bad price wise. 40-50yd line range are around $50 if your on the side opposite the home team. Home sidelines are around 60-70 on TM and Stubhub. AZ is playing st the ASU stadium in Tempe so mass transit accessible.

All America Football Conference
American Football league
World Football League
United State Football League
Xtreme Football League
and now the Alliance Football League

The AAFC had 3 teams absorbed into the NFL
only the AFL survived to merge with the NFL
the others lasted a season or two then folded

good luck, history is not on their side

Seems a mistake to choose teams in Arizona and Atlanta over cities with no teams.

Was playing a home poker tourney and the San Diego vs San Antonio game was on...it was decent but I had no rooting interest whatsoever.

I don't know much about this AAF, and I honestly don't have much interest in it, though I do wonder if it might bring about some +EV betting opportunities.

I do wonder why there are so many attempts to create NFL alternatives, even in the offseason.

In general, people aren't that interested in seeing a lesser group of players compete.

I'm a huge MLB fan, and I really miss the sport in the winter, but I wouldn't be interested in seeing some MLB knockoff league during that time.

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Originally Posted by GrenadaRoger

good luck, history is not on their side

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No, but huge TV contract numbers for sports and live events make them a much bigger favorite than the others. With the explosion of everyone opening up sports networks and online portals like ESPN+, DAZN, CBSSN, etc the AAF is likely getting more than enough money from Turner, CBS, and the NFL Network to make a handsome profit the first few years no matter how bad it goes.

I’m down with yearlong football. As long as the 3 leagues don’t step on each other’s toes.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

I don't know much about this AAF, and I honestly don't have much interest in it, though I do wonder if it might bring about some +EV betting opportunities.

I do wonder why there are so many attempts to create NFL alternatives, even in the offseason.

In general, people aren't that interested in seeing a lesser group of players compete.

I'm a huge MLB fan, and I really miss the sport in the winter, but I wouldn't be interested in seeing some MLB knockoff league during that time.

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Well, if this were true college football wouldn't be the second most popular spectator sport in the country (I am actually not sure this is true, but the sentiment it is very popular is obviously true).

That being said, for whatever reason there doesn't seem to be an appetite for football beyond college football and NFL, for whatever reason. I admit I was vaguely aware the league started yesterday, yet I had zero interest in watching any of the games, or even betting on them. Cant even explain why. Shrug.

I watched the San Deigo / San Antonio game last night...there were a number of tech innovations in the broadcast, and undoubtedly the NFL & College will have to upgrade their broadcasts to keep pace

and when I was younger, I would have gone ape for the additional insight those changes offer...but not now

Won’t last in a lot of ways. Can’t have everyone talking about CTE and then have these jokers paying .10 on the dollar and allowing people to decapitate them.

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Originally Posted by Daly

Won’t last in a lot of ways. Can’t have everyone talking about CTE and then have these jokers paying .10 on the dollar and allowing people to decapitate them.

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How many shitty MMA leagues are there?

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Originally Posted by verminaard

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

I don't know much about this AAF, and I honestly don't have much interest in it, though I do wonder if it might bring about some +EV betting opportunities.

I do wonder why there are so many attempts to create NFL alternatives, even in the offseason.

In general, people aren't that interested in seeing a lesser group of players compete.

I'm a huge MLB fan, and I really miss the sport in the winter, but I wouldn't be interested in seeing some MLB knockoff league during that time.

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Well, if this were true college football wouldn't be the second most popular spectator sport in the country (I am actually not sure this is true, but the sentiment it is very popular is obviously true).

That being said, for whatever reason there doesn't seem to be an appetite for football beyond college football and NFL, for whatever reason. I admit I was vaguely aware the league started yesterday, yet I had zero interest in watching any of the games, or even betting on them. Cant even explain why. Shrug.

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Disagree. College football is different in that many supporters are school alumni. That allegiance is for life, even if you aren't the biggest sports fan.
And there is still an ounce of innocence with the still unproven stars as they progress.

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Originally Posted by GrenadaRoger

All America Football Conference
American Football league
World Football League
United State Football League
Xtreme Football League
and now the Alliance Football League

The AAFC had 3 teams absorbed into the NFL
only the AFL survived to merge with the NFL
the others lasted a season or two then folded

good luck, history is not on their side

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AAF has one thing going for it the others didn’t which was direct involvement of the NFL (you left out the WLAF or As it later became known NFL Europe and also had NFL involvement). Those others were directly antagonistic and sought to screw with the NFL head to head. Somebody pointed out it’s kinda like the G League for the NFL. The Arena League was sometimes a way back for guys to prove themselves but it’s all but dead now itself so I suspect that was why the NFL got behind the AAF. Time will tell they may end up being a bit of a laboratory for future NFL rules and operations as well. Already last weekend they caught a few calls that even weren’t flagged and were corrected by an off field zebra who was able to see like an eye on the sky. I’m betting The Saints wished that was in effect a few weeks back.

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Originally Posted by devidee

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Originally Posted by Daly

Won’t last in a lot of ways. Can’t have everyone talking about CTE and then have these jokers paying .10 on the dollar and allowing people to decapitate them.

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How many shitty MMA leagues are there?

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Well probably several promotions we’ve never heard of. Until MMA somehow grows to the point where it’s like Boxing in that guys aren’t tied solely to one Promotion to fight not much will change. Boxers are able to negotiate purses and fights as they wish. Yes many are promoted by groups like Golden Boy etc but the sanctioning bodies control the titles. What needs to happen is for MMA to get to that point where UFC Bellatr and the rest have to openly compete to get guys to fight for their titles without being tied to fight only for that one organization. It’s why MMA retains the look of pro wrestling in that regard where guys are stuck with WWE or AEW etc and that’s fake shit so it’s different but at the same time similar. Especially after the assraping UFC did of its fighters entire stable banning guys outside sponsorship. That was a monster step backwards for the fighters and the sport as a whole in my estimation. I think changes will happen it won’t be tomorrow or the next but eventually we will see UFC Bellator and others changing how they operate. They’ll be forced eventually and then we will see truly who the best Heavyweight is with a Unification Fight for both titles or a third even.

AAF Needed $250 Million Investment to Avoid Missing Payroll

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/02/19/aa...don-investment

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According to a report from The Athletic, the AAF despite a good ratings debut, was running low on cash with the possiblity of missing payroll before its second weekend of play.

But then Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon stepped up and made a $250 million investment in the league. With the new infusion of funds on hand, Dundon will reportedly be named the league's new chairman on Tuesday. Dundon paid $420 million for the Hurricanes in January 2018.

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Dundon was also named the new Chairman of the league for his generous investment.

And it's gone.

Less than two months after the AAF's inaugural season began:

Suspension of operations
On April 2, 2019, the AAF suspended all football operations, apparently on AAF chairman Tom Dundon's orders. Players found out about the suspension through the Internet before their coaches confirmed the news. Players were evicted from the hotels where they were being housed and required to pay their own fare to return home. The AAF formally confirmed the suspension and released all players from their contracts on April 4.

If the AAF reaches its second season, it will find itself in direct competition with a revived XFL, which is announced to begin play in 2020



I'm starting to think their isn't a viable 2nd pro league for this sport in the USA. You need ridiculously deep pockets. Good Luck to the XFL in 2020.

They left their players high and dry.
Injured? On your own,
Players came back to the hotel from practice w/their shit in the lobby and no fare home.
2 players' credit cards have been hit for $ 2500 from that same hotel.

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Originally Posted by Forum Wars

And it's gone.

Less than two months after the AAF's inaugural season began:

Suspension of operations
On April 2, 2019, the AAF suspended all football operations, apparently on AAF chairman Tom Dundon's orders. Players found out about the suspension through the Internet before their coaches confirmed the news. Players were evicted from the hotels where they were being housed and required to pay their own fare to return home. The AAF formally confirmed the suspension and released all players from their contracts on April 4.

If the AAF reaches its second season, it will find itself in direct competition with a revived XFL, which is announced to begin play in 2020



I'm starting to think their isn't a viable 2nd pro league for this sport in the USA. You need ridiculously deep pockets. Good Luck to the XFL in 2020.

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from Dave Meltzer, mostly via the Sports Business Journal.

"Sports Business Journal reported this week that before their first and only season started, that Charlie Ebersol had approached Vince McMahon to look for a merger and McMahon turned him down. The big story of the AAF is that they simply didn’t have the money to do the league, unlike McMahon who has invested several hundred million dollars. They made the decision to rush into the league immediately because they wanted to beat McMahon to the punch when they realized Vince was going to run against them after he decided to do the league after turning down a $50 million offer from them for the rights to the XFL name. How they expected to pay $50 million to use a failed name when they had no money to start the league is beyond me.

According to the story, the AAF was already out of money by mid-December, while having plans to start the league in February. At that point, Reggie Fowler invested $28 million, which was enough to start the season, but when they started, they only had enough money for one week of the season. According to Alex Fairly, who they contracted about insurance, he got the exact amount of capital they had at the start of the season and said it wasn’t even five percent of what they needed to do a season. Tom Dundon then bought the league after the first week since they were out of money, and, with losses of about $10 million per week, after he’d lost $70 million, shut the league down. With them generating very little revenue, Dundon didn’t see anything changing,. Fairly, who now works for the XFL, noted that the XFL has liability insurance and workmen’s compensation, which the AAF didn’t have the money to afford. Fairly said AAF rushed into the league without having the money because of the feeling they had to beat McMahon to the punch. The AAF averaged 556,000 viewers per game, although that number skews high because of the strong first week. It’s logical to assume the XFL will have a big first week and then its numbers depend on what stations it’s on, but getting television itself doesn’t appear to be that difficult since the AAF got CBS, TNT and the NFL Network, the latter of which the XFL almost surely won’t get.

The AAF officially filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing $11.3 million in assets and owing $48.3 million, to Tom Dundon shut it down while leaving $48.3 million in outstanding debt. We were told the players were paid until the last week, but a lot of the vendors hadn’t been paid. The league’s account had $536,160.88 in it when the league was shut down. Those who started the league were against closing it down, but they had lot control to Dundon, who had pledged a $250 million investment to gain control, but obviously gave it up long before losing that kind of money, feeling it was a money pit and there was no turnaround looming."

Curse of the Kap, he could have turned that ship around, wait he could have bought that ship and killed two birds with one stone.
Player/Owner

Think of the African American progress train he missed.

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Originally Posted by DonaldTrumpsHairPiece

Curse of the Kap, he could have turned that ship around, wait he could have bought that ship and killed two birds with one stone.
Player/Owner

Think of the African American progress train he missed.

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If anything, the AAF shows how dumb generational wealth can be. Imagine Charlie Ebersol going to Vince McMahon and offering him $50 million just for the XFL name, before any of this got off the ground, without even enough money to play into week 2. Had he spent the $50 mil on those 3 letters, they wouldn't have even had a first week, and by asking for the naming rights, he woke up Vince to the idea that a second league was possibly profitable this time, so he created his own future competition (had the league lived long enough to compete).

This is a fun read. Recommended.

Inside the short, unhappy life of the Alliance of American Football

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...rican-football