Alliance of American Football Announced to Rival The XFL

[Retro]

www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/22844453/xfl-documentary-maker-plans-own-football-league

In New York City on Tuesday, Charlie Ebersol, who directed a documentary on the XFL that aired last year as part of ESPN's 30 for 30 series, announced that his league, called the Alliance of American Football, plans to debut on Feb. 9, 2019, the week after Super Bowl LIII. The season will run 10 weeks and will have 50-man teams.

["Evil Chops" Jackson Vanik]

The main reason that I am skeptical of the XFL is no matter how well it is run is that I'm not sure there is a market for a secondary pro football league...LET ALONE TWO.

[Muskrat]

Mar 20, 2018 11:02:27 GMT -5 "Evil Chops" Jackson Vanik said:

The main reason that I am skeptical of the XFL is no matter how well it is run is that I'm not sure there is a market for a secondary pro football league...LET ALONE TWO.

Yeah, this is a terrible idea. This completely torpedoes the XFL, which was already starting behind the 8 ball, which is really odd considering the McMahon's and Ebersol's are longtime friends.

[Pooh Carlson]

I love it! XFL is gonna tank anyway, let's have another! Not to mention the Arena Football League is still somewhere out there, I believe.

[Push Val Venis was wrong]

[BRV]

At this rate of projected market oversaturation, we might as well now start updating the "List of defunct professional sports leagues" Wikipedia page. Because I see no way the Alliance of American Football and the new XFL don't join the ranks of the United Football League, Continental Football League, and the old XFL.

[(SHDD) Rick Styles]

At this point Vince's last chance is a merger or partnership between the two and them playing them like The NFC/AFC and having the winners of both play each other

[Gindy Has Evil Intent of Honor]

Mar 20, 2018 13:01:33 GMT -5 BRV said:

At this rate of projected market oversaturation, we might as well now start updating the "List of defunct professional sports leagues" Wikipedia page. Because I see no way the Alliance of American Football and the new XFL don't join the ranks of the United Football League, Continental Football League, and the old XFL.

I don't know. This one might have a chance. Key word is "might", but since they already have a television deal and aren't going to be operated by carnies or a certain billionaire president, it should at least have a chance to survive at least 3 years.

[Retro]

Oh dear god, this feels weirdly meta now.

[Allie Étoile]

Welp, Vince just got cut off at the knees.

[Fundertaker]

Mar 20, 2018 15:18:31 GMT -5 Retro said:

Oh dear god, this feels weirdly meta now.

Love the fact that the "of" is underlined. That means it's the only word you should pay attention to.

[Darth Onyx]

Unlike the XFL 2.0 which just comes off as a Vince McMahon one-man ego trip, this actually seems well thought out and planned out, with investors, former pros, etc. involved. Already planning to integrate fantasy into the league is a good idea, too.

Not that I expect it to succeed, but at least it'd have a better chance at success than the XFL 2.0. Best thing either league can do is strike up some sort of deal with the NFL to serve as a sort of minor league system where undrafted free agents, NFL washouts, and high school prospects with no interest in being exploited by the NCAA can hone their craft in preparation for a call up to the NFL.

[asssvvvvxc]

It’s gonna be fun to watch both the AAF and XFL compete so hard for viewers

[Nickybojelais]

I was concerned about the standard of the XFL as I think the depth of talent in the NFL is an issue. But now we've added another league with almost 500 more players to be found, I'm absolutely terrified about the quality of the XFL.

[Gindy Has Evil Intent of Honor]

So, here's how I see it. With the AAF being cooperative with the NFL in some regards, they may want to try & give jaded markets a team as consolation, which would mean St. Louis & San Diego could be out of the question for Vince.

Whether or not they'll take it is to be seen, but I believe Vince will either go all in with big markets or exclusively be a league catering with specific politics.

[Captain Money Made]

XFL just got kicked in the dick

Got "legit" people behind it and a game plan. Something Vince def didn't want to see

[Darth Onyx]

It still strikes me as hilarious that Chris Ebersol did this documentary about the XFL and its failings and while Vince McMahon doubles down on it with the XFL 2.0, Ebersol uses the opportunity to start out his own football league, learning from the lessons of the XFL, having some sort of plan that could make it viable, while planning to launch it a year before XFL 2.0.

As Dan Le Batard said on HQ today, Chris Ebersol, the Stugotz is strong in you.

[akeemresurrection]

This is way funnier than anyone could have ever predicted.

[Futureraven: Britain's Butt]

Mar 20, 2018 12:43:26 GMT -5 Push Val Venis was wrong said:

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

Mar 20, 2018 12:38:50 GMT -5 Pooh Carlson said:

I love it! XFL is gonna tank anyway, let's have another! Not to mention the Arena Football League is still somewhere out there, I believe.

There are about 6 different Arena Football leagues out there. They could gotten a better name than AOAF. Honestly XFL or this league will still have a tough time getting quality players. As a fan of football I want it to work out for one of them and living in a city that a NFL team was ripped out of, I love to have a pro football teams from either league. I know the NFL will not return and they poed a lot of fans here on how the league went against rules to allow the Rams to move, yes sounds bitter on my part but can't forgive the lies and rules being broken.

On this topic I and going to be interested in how the two leagues are going to be different from each other. I am more interested in how the AOAF which in going the more original XFL route which such a short time frame to get all the ducks in a row so to speak. Feb of 2019 to get all teams together and trained? Doesn't seem like enough time much like it was proven when the original XFL launched.