The AAF Made it One Week, Before Having to Sell Itself to Make Payroll

Starting a business is never easy. Though, the brain-trust that put together the Alliance of American Football was probably hoping to last more than a week before not making payroll and having to sell the whole operation to an NHL owner.

However, that’s exactly what happened.

Despite guidance from a longtime NFL executive in Bill Polian and a veteran TV executive in Charlie Ebersol, and very impressive ratings for the league’s opening week, the AAF did not have enough money to pay their players.

As The Action Network’s Darren Rovell reported, the league blamed a glitch, for not being able to make payroll.

However, it appears the “glitch,” was the league running out of money. A situation which forced Polian and Ebersol to sell the league to Carolina Hurricanes Owner Tom Dundon.

On the upside, the sale to Dundon did allow AAF players to get paid.

The league will apparently continue with their season. Not only did ratings for the AAF impress in their opening week, but attendance in some markets also did well. The San Antonio Commanders drew more fans in their inaugural game, than the Los Angeles Chargers had in any of their home games in 2018.

Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn