# AAF 1 (football) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 10, 2019, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272 "2019-02-10T05:36:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/161 "2019-04-04T15:00:08Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It was less “mistake” and more “act of desperation”. They wouldn’t have been able to pay the players without his investment. That’s fine, take his money and give him a stake…but don’t give him control over _the entire league_ ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/162 "2019-04-04T16:17:26Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > That’s fine, take his money and give him a stake…but don’t give him control over _the entire league_ I wonder if that wound up being something he had stipulated as his terms for the $250 investment. “Yes, I’ll put in that much, but in return, I become controlling owner.” Given that it appears that the league was backed into a corner as far as needing the infusion of cash (and needing it immediately), they may not have been in a position to do otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/163 "2019-04-04T17:44:07Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I wonder if that wound up being something he had stipulated as his terms for the $250 investment. “Yes, I’ll put in that much, but in return, I become controlling owner.” > > Given that it appears that the league was backed into a corner as far as needing the infusion of cash (and needing it immediately), they may not have been in a position to do otherwise. I’m betting that’s exactly what happened. That would explain why Polian is so bitter; they were forced to give control to Dundon to keep things going, then he uses that control to shut it down. It seems like in Bill Polian’s opinion it wasn’t 100% necessary to fold before the season finished, but it might have been done because Tom Dundon saw the writing on the wall and knew if he kept it going it would have been flushing money down the toilet. Which is the right thing to do from a business perspective, but must have felt like a betrayal. Add on stories of players stranded far from home with nowhere to stay, no way to get home, and not much cash to get there, and it must really burn. Polian seems like more of a football guy, while Dundon is more of a business guy, so you can see how different motives and different philosophies will clash and lead to bad feelings. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/164 "2019-04-04T17:58:58Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > … the $250 investment. Make that “the $250 **million** investment.” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/165 "2019-04-04T22:08:52Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Doudon will get a lot of heat for this for basically buying the app and then killing the league, but I think the GMs (Polian and Ebersol) claimed there was A LOT more money in the league than there actually was. Hell, at this rate, I’ll give the XFL a fighting chance to survive if only because Vince can look at this league and use it as a worst case scenario. Here’s an article from [CBSSports.com](http://CBSSports.com) that categorically states, [Dundon didn’t get control of the app.](https://www.cbssports.com/aaf/news/aaf-2019-what-went-wrong-and-what-happens-next-following-leagues-sudden-shutdown/) > [@](#): > > [CBSSports.com](http://CBSSports.com) was told that Dundon did not become control owner of the AAF to essentially steal the technology in the league’s app that could be used down the line for betting or fantasy football purposes. For all that Dundon controls, he does not have the intellectual ownership of that asset. If he were to try to use it for himself later, there would be litigation to follow. If that report is correct, and I were someone who sunk $250MM into a money pit venture, and that $250MM\*\* didn’t\*\* buy me the one asset that could make money in the future, I’d probably want to shut it down as soon as I saw its first full month’s balance sheet. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2019, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/166 "2019-04-04T22:22:50Z")
I’m curious who does own the app… Is it Ebersol? The article doesn’t elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/167 "2019-04-05T00:55:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I’m curious who does own the app… Is it Ebersol? The article doesn’t elaborate. Just a guess here, but looking at the [key investors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_of_American_Football) and playing “one of these people is not like the others,” I’m guessing the intellectual property, if not the actual app, is under the control of [Keith Rabois](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Rabois) and/or [MGM Resorts](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2018/09/11/alliance-american-football-league-reveals-gambling-focused-strategy/1265465002/). I’m guessing MGM Resorts own the actual app. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/168 "2019-04-05T19:57:33Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I think their season should have been July and August. Baseball is the only other sport going, and 3/4 of the teams are pretty much out of it by the All Star break. How can 3/4 of the teams be out of it before the All-Star break when a third of the teams make the playoffs? Anyway… I guess the AAF was lying about their financial backing? The story was supposed to be that they were prepared for several YEARS of losses. The lead on the AAF website is “Week 8 Power Rankings.” I assume the Finance Department is ranked last. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/169 "2019-04-05T20:54:01Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The lead on the AAF website is “Week 8 Power Rankings.” I assume the Finance Department is ranked last. Sick burn. Someone call the Arizona Hotshots. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/170 "2019-04-06T19:02:51Z")
[This article on SI.com](https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/05/aaf-players-found-out-about-league-folding-during-practice) quotes Bug Howard, a tight end with the Atlanta Legends, that the players found out about the league’s shutdown in the middle of practice. The article also notes: > [@](#): > > Howard said that former Michigan quarterback Denard “Shoelace” Robinson tore his ACL in the last game and he doesn’t know what he’ll do for health insurance once players lose it end of month. > > Howard also said the AAF is asking for money back for jerseys, with the equipment guy telling him it’s $250 per jersey. Classy all around. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/171 "2019-04-07T20:02:54Z")
A few players have been invited to camps, including two from Orlando, which really makes this league folding that much worse because it kinda worked. I don’t imagine anyone staying on a roster…but they have the chance and that’s all they asked. Sucks. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/172 "2019-04-07T23:11:58Z")
you know im wondering if the whole league was just a set up for the fantasy/gambling angle …… like : programmer "hey I just made this brand new prog for fantasy football and gambling …… investor "well lets make a league to see if it works and we can sell it " well get enough fb types to make it look legit …… they just didn’t make/have enough money to ride it out until it took off ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/173 "2019-04-08T16:13:56Z")
Today’s I4 Business magazine has a picture of the Apollos with the headline “A Winning Combination!” in giant letters. It features a story on the Apollos and their success. Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/174 "2019-04-08T16:55:31Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Today’s I4 Business magazine has a picture of the Apollos with the headline “A Winning Combination!” in giant letters. It features a story on the Apollos and their success. > > Ouch. Okay, I get that the print version of this month’s magazine had already been printed and distributed and they felt obligated to keep the story up on the web version. But you’d think they’d also put up an editor’s note to say, “Funny story, we had this article all ready to go before everything blew up. Oh well” ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/175 "2019-04-08T19:29:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Make that “the $250 **million** investment.” :smack: It might have been WORTH about $250. I just don’t get this guy’s angle. If he didn’t get this magical gambling app, why did he blow $70 million on this? Was there no due diligence? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/176 "2019-04-08T20:20:23Z")
The whooooooole thing seems fishy. I think there was a lot of lying a deception going around on all fronts. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/177 "2019-04-08T21:14:31Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > The whooooooole thing seems fishy. I think there was a lot of lying a deception going around on all fronts. I’m starting to feel the same way. I think I won’t be surprised if lawsuits start popping up soon. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/178 "2019-04-08T21:58:14Z")
The last item in Albert Breer’s [Monday Morning Quarterback column](https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/08/nfl-draft-quarterbacks-2020-tua-tagovailoa-demarcus-lawrence-josh-rosen) on [SI.com](http://SI.com) today is about the demise of the AAF. In it, he says that, after Dundon became the majority owner of the league, the AAF started becoming extremely frugal: for example, they forced coaches to use their own personal computers (rather than using team-owned computers), they cut back on travel spending, and they stopped doing team meals. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/179 "2019-04-09T18:53:48Z")
Dolphins signed SEVEN former AAF players. Every signing makes me more and more angry that the league owners and Tom Coundon did what they did. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272/180 "2019-05-02T22:35:24Z")
While walking to the train from my office today, I saw a woman wearing a San Diego Fleet sweatshirt, and I thought to myself, "I have to believe that there’ll be some behind-the-scenes journalism going on, about what went wrong with the AAF. And, in fact, there’s [a long-form article on SI.com](https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/30/alliance-american-football-aaf-collapse-charlie-ebersol-tom-dundon) this week, by Conor Orr, on it. A few key bits: - Tom Dundon apparently had no interest at all in the tracking / wagering smartphone app (which turned out to not have lived up to its initial promises before the plug was pulled). - The AAF was forced to bring in Dundon when one of their initial investors, Reggie Fowler, wound up having his bank accounts frozen, when he was charged with bank fraud. - When Dundon came on board, he forced Charlie Ebserol off of the league’s board of directors. - The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, “claiming some $11 million in assets against $48 million in liabilities. Cash on hand: $536,160.68.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aaf-1-football/829272.md?page=10)