AAF Suspending All Football Operations
Apr 2, 2019, 11:14 AM | Updated: Apr 3, 2019, 2:08 pm
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Alliance of American Football has suspended all football operations and the league will likely fold before their inaugural season concluded.
New owner Tom Dundon – owner of the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL, has decided to shut down operation against the wishes of co-founders Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian.
Dundon invested $70 million in February to help the league with payroll.
The AAF had two weeks left in their regular season before two weeks of postseason play. It looks as though the league could fold due to funding.
The league included eight teams from markets that had hopes of having an NFL franchise. The rosters were compiled of players who have had a stint in the NFL and was trying to get back to the league.
Reports from USA Today last week, stated that the AAF was hinging on the NFL Players Association to keep the league going by allowing practice squad and young NFL players to play in the AAF, rather than the practice squad.
Darren Rovell of the Action Network reported that the players will have their contracts terminated on Tuesday, while the team executives will have their contracts terminated on Wednesday.
AAF players contracts will be terminated today, others in football operations will have their positions terminated tomorrow. Story continues to develop… https://t.co/UTvHbKsAZ5
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 2, 2019
AAF Co-Founder Bill Polian issued a strong statement that was directed towards Dundon.
AAF co-founder Bill Polian issues strong statement after new owner Tom Dundon shuts league down. pic.twitter.com/YwFWaLFwwl
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 2, 2019
Sources: The AAF will suspend all football operations today. New owner Tom Dundon will lose approximately $70 million on his investment. Dundon makes decision against wishes of league co-founders Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) April 2, 2019
Breaking: The Alliance of American Football will suspend all football operations Tuesday, according to ESPN and multiple reports (first reported by ProFootballTalk). pic.twitter.com/f4oOsYKx0x
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 2, 2019
Utah had the Salt Lake Stallions in the AAF and finish likely their only season with a 3-5 record, coming off of an 8-3 win at home over the San Diego Fleet. They had 10 players from the University of Utah, 5 from BYU and one player from Utah State.
Stallions President Tyler Howell released a statement on Wednesday after the news was released by other AAF teams.
#ReinDown | #FullSteedAhead pic.twitter.com/pEaA0jdZ9D
— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) April 3, 2019
“There will be a league that makes it eventually,” said former Utah linebacker and Stallions standout Trevor Reilly to KSL Sports. “Just look at the NBA when they started the G-League, now every team has an affiliate, it just takes time. You feel bad for the support staff and the people that left jobs to come work for this organization,” Reilly added.
Other teams in the AAF include the Orlando Apollos, Atlanta Legends, Memphis Express, Birmingham Iron, San Antonio Commanders and Arizona Hotshots.
