It’s safe to say the NFL has had a rough couple of years. The once beloved league has faced tremendous backlash. All because it’s players have disrespected the flag.
Worse still, the league’s owners have refused to demand players stand for the Anthem. They’ve even given millions to the players’ union, who will spend the cash on social justice programs. Pathetic. (Keep in mind that was your money, if you support the NFL).
Now the NFL has another problem: competition. A major Trump supporter is throwing millions into a new league. One that will surely give the NFL a run for its money.
From Sports Illustrated:
Charlie Ebersol, the son of longtime NBC Sports executive Dick Ebersol and director of the 30 for 30 documentary about the original XFL his father created with WWE’s Vince McMahon, announced Tuesday that he plans to launch a football league next February.
The league is called the Alliance of American Football and will feature eight 50-man teams playing a 10-game schedule that begins on February 9, the Saturday after next year’s Super Bowl.
Funding for the league comes from the Peter Thiel-led Founder’s Fund, Barstool Sports investors the Chernin Group, former Vikings pass rusher Jared Allen and others…
The league is hoping to draw talent from the wealth of high-level college players who don’t make the NFL. Teams will have the right to draft players who played college football in their local market, similar to the territorial pick system that existed in the early days of the NBA.
You read that right. The billionaire PayPal co-creator and outspokenly gay Trump supporter is bankrolling an NFL alternative. Will wonders never cease? The new league has already landed a broadcasting deal with CBS, which is well-known for its sports coverage.
It looks like the AAF is already moving full-steam ahead. You better believe there will be plenty of college football players eager to prove themselves in this new league. Players that were rejected by the NFL—because of severe lack of spots—will get a second chance.
Considering the league’s name—Alliance of American Football—there is a good chance patriotism will be a focus. I’m going to guess standing for the Anthem will be in the rule book. This new league will be able to challenge the NFL, doing all the things the bigger league refuses to do.
But will it be enough to knock the NFL from the throne? Maybe in time. The NFL has suffered in dropped viewers since the Anthem fiasco. Plus, the XFL is already scheduled to return. All this new competition will put a serious strain on the NFL.
Hmm, maybe Commissioner Goodell should have dealt with the kneelers when he had a chance!
Source: Sports Illustrated
