Death of the Alliance of American Football

[Luigi74]

10 hours ago, dfwabel said:

When the majority of your games are on CBSSN, you're not getting millions, especially when CBSSN isn't rated by Neilsen and only gets $0.26/subscriber.

 

As I stated before, I would not be shocked if AAF is paying for the air time. Heck, were 60 days out and we only know three sponsors: Starter, Riddell and MGM Grand.

That last sponsor most likely cut them a pretty nice check, remember the AAF, XFL2.0 and companies like MGM Grand are banking on the betting gimmicks to catch on.

 

 

[bosrs1]

16 hours ago, dfwabel said:

When the majority of your games are on CBSSN, you're not getting millions, especially when CBSSN isn't rated by Neilsen and only gets $0.26/subscriber.

 

As I stated before, I would not be shocked if AAF is paying for the air time. Heck, were 60 days out and we only know three sponsors: Starter, Riddell and MGM Grand.

 

True CSBSN isn't a great network, but it's a network. Which is better than FFL seems to have as yet or the XFL for that matter which is seemingly going digital only unless something changes. 

 

[bosrs1]

Looks like the AAF has a few rules different than the NFL and NCAA... but not too many. Biggest differences are...

 

• Telecasts will feature no TV timeouts aiming for an approximate real-time game length of 150 minutes
• All teams must attempt two point conversions after each touchdown; there will be no PAT
• There will be no kickoffs; halves, odd overtime periods and after scores will begin on each team's own 25-yard line. In lieu of an onside kick, a team can keep possession of the ball by attempting a scrimmage play from their own 35-yard line and gaining at least 10 yards.
• The play clock will run only 30 seconds, 10 seconds shorter than in the NFL.^[20]
• Two coach's challenges per team are the only replays; no challenges in last two minutes of either half nor any overtime period, as they are automatic.
• Outside organizations will handle head-safety protocols.
• No games can end in ties.
• Passing rules are the same as in the NCAA and CFL, in which catches are made with one foot inbounds.

Really the only big difference is the lack of PAT and kickoffs. The rest of the changes appear to be aimed at speeding up the game and improving the in stadium experience. 

[dfwabel]

Arizona just lost their OC as Hugh Freeze is taking the Liberty job.

[dfwabel]

1 hour ago, bosrs1 said:

 

True CSBSN isn't a great network, but it's a network. Which is better than FFL seems to have as yet or the XFL for that matter which is seemingly going digital only unless something changes. 

 

Vince kinda has two Jokers in his pocket due to his contractual relationships with both Comcast and now "New FOX".  Since "New FOX" is pivoting to more live events, sports, and unscripted programming, the XFL fits that model. 

[Skycast]

Honestly in this day and age of streaming via various packages those that are interested in the games will find them. I happily paid the $5 a month for ESPN+ in order to be able to watch all the CFL games this season...I wouldn't think twice about paying that to see the AAF games this season just because I'm curious enough and hoping they put out a decent enough product to succeed.

[dfwabel]

Week 1 game times set.

https://aaf.com/the-alliance-announces-its-first-weekend-game-times/

 

Both Atlanta@Orlando and San Diego@San Antonio are set for 8pm on Saturday night. San Antonio is having a hard time with regular pricing and wants the CBS slot so badly they're doing that week 1&2 mini-package for $30.

Edit: Orlando is running the same sale as San Antonio.

[Sodboy13]

3 hours ago, dfwabel said:

Vince kinda has two Jokers in his pocket due to his contractual relationships with both Comcast and now "New FOX".  Since "New FOX" is pivoting to more live events, sports, and unscripted programming, the XFL fits that model. 

 

I'm sure the NFL would be 100% cool with Fox picking up an XFL broadcast deal on the side.

[dfwabel]

59 minutes ago, Sodboy13 said:

 

I'm sure the NFL would be 100% cool with Fox picking up an XFL broadcast deal on the side.

FOX is paying them $600M/year for Thursday night in addition to the Sunday contract. They're not paying the NFL for consultation on how to program their network the other 30 weeks of the year. If the NFL has a problem with it, give the Thursday night $$$ back and don't accept the FOX bid for 2021.

 

In fact, NFLN could be a "New FOX" property or co-owner. Owners haven't been happy with NFLN since 2015.

[Cosmic]

1 hour ago, Sodboy13 said:

 

I'm sure the NFL would be 100% cool with Fox picking up an XFL broadcast deal on the side.

Any of the other major professional sports or the semi-pro college ones are much more of a threat to the NFL. 

[Ferdinand Cesarano]

1 hour ago, Sodboy13 said:

I'm sure the NFL would be 100% cool with Fox picking up an XFL broadcast deal on the side.

 

The NFL's act of forcing ABC to drop the USFL, and forcing CBS and NBC not to consider showing the league's games, is what led it to lose its civl case against the USFL in 1986.  People remember that the USFL was awarded only $1 in damages because the jury was made up of goofballs who didn't understand the rules of awarding damages; but they tend to forget that the NFL was found to have become a monopoly that engaged in predatory practices.

Even if the USFL trial jury had understood that their $1 damages award wasn't just a placeholder that the judge could turn into an actual amount, they still wouldn't have given the USFL all it needed to fund its ongoing existence.  This is because the jury decided that, while the NFL behaved in a predatory manner, the USFL's situation was caused mainly by its own mismanagement (switching to the fall; angling for a merger with the NFL).

 

So the NFL has to be careful about pressuring the television networks not to show XFL games.  It the NFL were to appear to be taking those steps against a league that is not moving to the fall and that is clearly not attempting to set up a merger, then it could be liable for many millions of dollars (the value of a television contract). 

[dfwabel]

So they each are holding minicamps this week, so officially the money is being spent en masse.

 

Most teams also held a "Meet & Greet" with season ticket holders yesterday.  Let's just say that some teams had more success than others.

 

 

If you haven't used all of your monthly pageviews for bizjournals.com, they ran a AAF story on Thursday and a XFL one today.  The AAF one quotes Charlie Ebersol. 

 

Quote

"We're a technology company first," Ebersol said.

"To do this for real, you can't get into this unless you're willing to spend $750 million to a billion in the first five years,"

 

And the article had this small bit too...(bolded by me)

Quote

The game plan requires a deep roster of investors with roots in technology. It reportedly includes Peter Thiel's Founders Fund, Menlo Park-based M Ventures, Slow Ventures and the Chernin Group (an investor in sports news site the Athletic). It also requires a willingness to lose lots of money. The long game could include licensing technology to other sports leagues or an exit via a pay off by the NFL.

 

[bosrs1]

1 hour ago, dfwabel said:

So they each are holding minicamps this week, so officially the money is being spent en masse.

 

Most teams also held a "Meet & Greet" with season ticket holders yesterday.  Let's just say that some teams had more success than others.

 

 

If you haven't used all of your monthly pageviews for bizjournals.com, they ran a AAF story on Thursday and a XFL one today.  The AAF one quotes Charlie Ebersol. 

 

 

And the article had this small bit too...(bolded by me)

 

 

Looks like both had an ok turnout at this point in the year. 

[dfwabel]

On 9/24/2018 at 8:41 AM, dfwabel said:

You're going to get some CBSSN guys, like Carter Blackburn and Aaron Taylor because they can focus on the product starting in December.  Or AAF uses their own investors as analyst, like Jared Allen.

 

They're not even using those two, but they're using Spero Dedes plus Gary Danielson will get some extra checks.

Regional coverage for week 1 too.

 

https://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-sports/releases/view?id=51624

 

Quote

The Alliance officially debuts on CBS Television Network on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8:30 PM, ET, with regional coverage featuring the San Antonio Commanders hosting the San Diego Fleet and the Atlanta Legends visiting the Orlando Apollos.

 

Spero Dedes, Trent Green and Tiki Barber, along with reporter Jamie Erdahl, call the action for the San Antonio-San Diego game from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Andrew Catalon and Gary Danielson will announce from UCF’s Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Fla. with Melanie Collins reporting from the field for the Atlanta-Orlando match-up.

 

On Sunday, Feb. 10, CBS Sports Network begins its 11-week run televising The Alliance’s best matchup each week on Sundays at 4:00 PM, ET. Ben Holden, Adam Archuleta and John Schriffen serve as the announce team for all games airing on CBS Sports Network.

On opening night, CBS will broadcast a pregame show live from inside the Alamodome, introducing the rules, faces and tenor of the new league. Coverage begins at 8:00 PM, ET on Feb. 9.

   

The Alliance season concludes on CBS Television Network on Saturday, April 27 (8:00 PM, ET) with the Championship game from Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev. The broadcast team will be announced at a later date.

 

[dfwabel]

Small anecdotal note:

I've been in Orlando since Monday and spent the past two days with my brother, who has lived there for 23 years. He's dual degree from Florida during the Spurrier era (and Gator STH), so I asked him about the AAF, he knew they were the Apollos, they were playing at UCF, that Spurrier was HC, and that neither he, nor his friends were interested in tickets.

 

His concern was the impact of their hosts, UCF and their sudden popularity will keep dollars with the Knights rather than to the AAF.

[CrimsonBull9584]

9 hours ago, dfwabel said:

His concern was the impact of their hosts, UCF and their sudden popularity will keep dollars with the Knights rather than to the AAF.

What do you mean?

[Cosmic]

2 hours ago, CrimsonBull9584 said:

What do you mean?

I think he means UCF is formidable competition for entertainment dollars in Orlando, whereas they probably wouldn't have been a factor in the past.

[CrimsonBull9584]

47 minutes ago, Cosmic said:

I think he means UCF is formidable competition for entertainment dollars in Orlando, whereas they probably wouldn't have been a factor in the past.

Yes, but UCF football and the Apollos don't even play in the same season. How would be a factor?

[Gothamite]

18 minutes ago, CrimsonBull9584 said:

Yes, but UCF football and the Apollos don't even play in the same season. How would be a factor?

 

There’s only so much discretionary income to go around. Companies plan their advertising budgets on a yearly basis no matter when they actually spend the money. 

 

Make no mistake, the AAF is very much in competition with UCF athletics.  Just as it is in direct competition with Orlando City SC and the Magic.  I don’t know how many locals visit the various theme parks, but they could be competitors as well. 

[dfwabel]

13 hours ago, CrimsonBull9584 said:

Yes, but UCF football and the Apollos don't even play in the same season. How would be a factor?

Only so much money is in people's bank accounts.  Your employer also started selling tickets when many families started budgeting for Christmas gifts and started individual tix sales even later.

 

UCF has seen gains in season tickets in the last two years and will gain even more support after this season.  UCF's outpaced their athletic department donations in the last academic year and will meet their goal to the current school-wide capital campaign nearly a year early.

 

Orlando City FC is hosting the 2019MLS All Star game, so many will buy season tickets for the ability to purchase ASG tickets. 

 

When the big marketing idea for your inaugural game is to try to convince the UCF Greek system to break the Guinness Record for "Largest Toga Party", you are in deeper $hit than I originally thought.

 

And, Florida is a state which doesn't allow sports betting and won't do so for a while since a ballot measure passed in November which stripped the Legislature the power to authorize casino gaming. It's now in the hands of the voters. The only way casino gambling can be approved is through a statewide initiative placed on the ballot by citizen petition.