The AAF may already be facing it’s demise as it is hoping it can secure a deal with the NFLPA that would allow the NFL to cypher young talent to the league, treating the AAF as a true developmental league moving forward.
Alliance of American Football majority owner Tom Dundon said on Wednesday that the league, which is in it’s first year, is in danger of shutting down should the NFLPA opt not to close in on such a deal with the league.
“If the players union is not going to give us young players, we can’t be a development league,” Dundon said, according to USA Today’s Kevin Allen and Mike Jones. “We are looking at our options, one of which is discontinuing the league.”
It seems that the AAF may be “one and done” after doing whatever it could to ensure it beat Vince McMahon and his XFL to the punch, rushing to get AAF up, running, and playing football prior to the launch of the XFL in 2020.
It seems that rushed process may end up costing AAF in the end.
As to why the NFLPA hasn’t jumped into some sort of partnership with the AAF, the report, which cites an anonymous NFLPA official, indicates that there are some concerns from the NFLPA’s end in allowing players to go to the AAF.
“The person said the players’ union is founded on the belief that using active NFL players and practice squad members for the AAF would violate the terms of the CBA and the restrictions that prevent teams from holding mandatory workouts and practices throughout the offseason. The limitations set in place are designed to ensure the safety and adequate rest and recovery time for football players. But there’s a concern that teams would abuse their power and perhaps force young players into AAF action as a condition for consideration for NFL roster spots in the fall.”
This week will be critical in determining the future for the AAF.