AAF may fold

BamaNation

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I thought the thing that differentiated AAF from all the others was that it had lined up its ducks and was well funded. The latter proved not true after week 2 and the former seems to never have been true.


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rgw

Suspended
Sep 15, 2003
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Sounds like they should've been working with the NFLPA as a developmental league avenue for fringe roster/practice squad players and coordinating their launch AFTER a new CBA with the NFL would grant that freedom of movement to NFLPA members.

Seems like these guys didn't really have their ducks in a row as they were projecting.
 

Wakecrash

Suspended
Sep 22, 2018
232
98
52
It seemed to me the whole purpose of the aaf was to beat xfl to market to ensure its failure. That why nfl execs seemed to be so complimentary. I am sure once aaf folds Bill Polien will get a really cushy high paying nfl gig.
 

Isaiah 63:1

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Dec 8, 2005
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Probably at 35k or in an airport somewhere
First law of football leagues: the lifespan of a football league is inversely proportional to the strength of any Birmingham franchise in it.

First law of sports unions: anything that increases player development and competition for roster spots held by current dues-paying members will be opposed by the union under the guise of some other rationale.


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ReturnToGlory

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Nov 22, 2006
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It seemed to me the whole purpose of the aaf was to beat xfl to market to ensure its failure. That why nfl execs seemed to be so complimentary. I am sure once aaf folds Bill Polien will get a really cushy high paying nfl gig.
Yep. They rushed it to beat the XFL. I thought they had this lined up. But why would not having NFL practice-squad players cause the league to fold?
 

Bama63

1st Team
Oct 25, 2000
525
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I sure hate to see the new league go. It's been fun for football this time of year, and a treat to get to see all the former Alabama players out there again. Sure hope some of them looked good enough to get another chance in the NFL... which I thought from the original promotional material was a big part of the point of starting this league.
 

BamaNation

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At some point investors/owners are going to figure out that another professional football league is not going to work for many reasons.
If this doesn't work out, then Tom Dundon's $250MM investment into / takeover of the league becomes epic failure. I don't understand the math here and maybe there's something else he's valuing but wow.
 

Pilot172000

1st Team
Sep 25, 2017
455
10
37
Winnsboro, LA
It is beyond me how at this point it could fail so quickly. The salary cap was set which means operating cost should be planned for well ahead of time. There is always a budget with the expectancy of a loss the first year or two. They must have a tv contract and the ratings were good for a minor league and outside investment looked good. I am not clear on the specifics of attendance but it should have been good based on locations. There is something really big missing in this equation and I can't figure it out. I honestly think this is a bluffing tactic by the AAF to get the NFLPA to play ball but I could be wrong.
 

CrimsonNagus

Hall of Fame
Jun 6, 2007
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I haven’t watched a single minute since week 2. Just wasn’t interesting enough and I didn’t like most of the rule changes.

Also, so many people praised it for the quality of football on the field. I didn’t see that in the first 2 weeks. So many mistakes, so many amateur mishaps, it felt like high school football.

Plus, after a full season of Bama football, I honestly was ready for a break from hogging our weekends with football. So was my wife. Maybe it was just the way Bama’s year ended but, I have had my fill of football for now.
 
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BAMAVILLE

Moderator (FB,BB,REC)
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Jan 9, 2014
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Man ... hating this has been playing out this way. I've actually been enjoying the season. Hoping they can figure out some way to make this work. Hate that they players are dealing with this, can tell they've been enjoying being able to play again.
 

bamamick

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Feb 22, 2005
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I do not understand how a labor pool issue would shut down the AAF with two games left in the season? They have the teams and coaches to play out the season. It makes no sense at all to not finish this year.

Rtr
 

81usaf92

TideFans Legend
Apr 26, 2008
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I do not understand how a labor pool issue would shut down the AAF with two games left in the season? They have the teams and coaches to play out the season. It makes no sense at all to not finish this year.

Rtr
Basically Dundon is the money, and either he is trying to strong arm the NFL into committing or he was led to believe that Ebersol had the agreement with the NFLPA already and just now finding out. Basically if Dundon bails then its probably over then and there unless Vince or someone interested with money swoops into save the day. I think Ebersol should really beg Vince to buy him out at this point because I don't see the PA budging at all on these stipulations.
 

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