As of right now I'm more concerned with the life path that we three (@Tomorrow & @SDColorado & myself) have chosen in that we have dedicated evn this much valuable free time to talk about the AAF and Johnny Manziel. 
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Alliance of American Football (AAF)
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As of right now I'm more concerned with the life path that we three (@Tomorrow & @SDColorado & myself) have chosen in that we have dedicated evn this much valuable free time to talk about the AAF and Johnny Manziel.
I have spent a few more minutes on discussing the AAF than I actually have on watching the AAF (zero minutes).
Oh yeah. It was just amusing to thing I spent more time in a forum typing about it than actually watching it
I did see where Spurier declared his team champions. Fair enough I guess since there were 7-1 and I believe the next closest team was 5-3? A little like being the Prime Minister of Grand Fenwick?
I really don’t think there is much chance that they will. Out of money for the second time and I doubt anyone else is going to step up with another $250M or more cash infusion.
I don't know why they didn't get the support of the NFLPA before starting the league. Seems pointless to hope they jump aboard after the fact.
Also the league starting right after the Superbowl was too soon. It should be a summer league like the CFL. Use that as a minor league before the NFL starts.
I think, maybe being a tech company first and a football league second, that they always had more interest in trying to sell the tech than having a viable league. Maybe they still will.
I don't know how many have subscriptions to The Athletic or if you are able to read a select few articles without having one.
But Daniel Popper wrote an article titled "Complete and utter chaos’: A look inside the final days of the AAF."
Part of it was a memo that coaches and staffers received...
"Unfortunately, after careful consideration, the board has decided to suspend operations of the Alliance of American Football, effective immediately. As part of this process, we expect to keep a small staff on hand to seek new investment capital and restructure our business. Should those efforts prove successful, we look forward to working with many of you on season two. As a follow up to this communication, we will reach out to the personnel who will be involved in that continuation effort. For those employees whom we do not contact individually to discuss an ongoing role or alternative arrangements, your employment termination date is effective Wednesday, April 3, 2019, and you will be paid through that date.”
It definitely confirms that Season 1 is effectively over, though surprisingly they are still trying to get funding for a Season 2. Betting that won't happen.
Players apparently kicked out of hotel rooms, personal credit cards charged for rent, left to pay their own medical expenses/rehab for injuries suffered while playing. Messy shutdown.
But Daniel Popper wrote an article titled "Complete and utter chaos’: A look inside the final days of the AAF."
Part of it was a memo that coaches and staffers received...
"Unfortunately, after careful consideration, the board has decided to suspend operations of the Alliance of American Football, effective immediately. As part of this process, we expect to keep a small staff on hand to seek new investment capital and restructure our business. Should those efforts prove successful, we look forward to working with many of you on season two. As a follow up to this communication, we will reach out to the personnel who will be involved in that continuation effort. For those employees whom we do not contact individually to discuss an ongoing role or alternative arrangements, your employment termination date is effective Wednesday, April 3, 2019, and you will be paid through that date.”
It definitely confirms that Season 1 is effectively over, though surprisingly they are still trying to get funding for a Season 2. Betting that won't happen.
Players apparently kicked out of hotel rooms, personal credit cards charged for rent, left to pay their own medical expenses/rehab for injuries suffered while playing. Messy shutdown.
Wow, that was a real crappy way of dealing with the shutdown.
Yes, it was. Apparently, the letter that I copied above was sent out unsigned. Really classless.
One player, Anthony Manzo-Lewis tweeted. "Kicked out of our rooms (that weren't paid apparently) 17 hours away from home with a car full of my belongings and nowhere to go."
Players from Memphis came back to their hotels after the news broke, found their personal belongings waiting in the lobby, kicked out of their rooms.
Good to see a few of the AAF players getting a shot with the NFL though. WR Rashad Ross has signed with the Carolina Panthers. Chiefs have signed CB Kieth Reasor. Denver Broncos have signed CB De'Vante Bausby.
I am sure there will be more to follow.
I've largely stayed out of the discussion on the AAF, but I can't say that I'm surprised one bit.
Here's the issue as I see it, and I'm sure its not as black and white, but I like simple explanations.
For me, its best to start off at square one, the NFL started back in the day, and it paid players very little, the owners typically owned their own stadiums and it was a nice diversion, neither the owners or the players were doing this full time at first. As time went on, and it got popular, more and more money poured in and players started getting more $$ as well. Fast forward to the modern area and with TV deals, licensing deals etc, a whole lot of money is available for the players.
So now with the AAF, they're competing with NFL using cast offs, but the salary expectation is still rather high, I assume most of the teams do not own their own stadiums, so the ticket sales have to be shared. The TV revenue is tiny compared to the NFL. The AAF didn't have the luxury to start slow and small like the NFL, they had to jump in to the deep end and the money just isn't there to be viable for the long term. I expect the same thing with Vince McMahon's XFL (or whatever its called).
Here's the issue as I see it, and I'm sure its not as black and white, but I like simple explanations.
For me, its best to start off at square one, the NFL started back in the day, and it paid players very little, the owners typically owned their own stadiums and it was a nice diversion, neither the owners or the players were doing this full time at first. As time went on, and it got popular, more and more money poured in and players started getting more $$ as well. Fast forward to the modern area and with TV deals, licensing deals etc, a whole lot of money is available for the players.
So now with the AAF, they're competing with NFL using cast offs, but the salary expectation is still rather high, I assume most of the teams do not own their own stadiums, so the ticket sales have to be shared. The TV revenue is tiny compared to the NFL. The AAF didn't have the luxury to start slow and small like the NFL, they had to jump in to the deep end and the money just isn't there to be viable for the long term. I expect the same thing with Vince McMahon's XFL (or whatever its called).
It’s sad that it’s gone, but surprising? No at all. When you have to get another 250 mil after week 2 to keep going it’s a red flag..
All after they said they have money for 2-3 seasons before worry... . San Antonio was the only team averaging 30,000 fans..
Imagine finding out AT&T stadium only has 60,000 fans instead of the 100,000 it’s seated for... would be bad news.
All after they said they have money for 2-3 seasons before worry... . San Antonio was the only team averaging 30,000 fans..
Imagine finding out AT&T stadium only has 60,000 fans instead of the 100,000 it’s seated for... would be bad news.