Another new American football league is coming, and this one will start the Sunday after the Super Bowl in 2019.
The American Alliance of Football league was officially unveiled on Tuesday by Co-Founder and CEO Charlie Ebersol and Co-Founder and Head of Football Bill Polian.
Last year, Ebersol directed a documentary on the XFL for the ESPN series “30 for 30.” Polian is a former NFL general manager of the Buffalo Bills (1986-92), Carolina Panthers (1995-97), and Indianapolis Colts (1997-2009) and was Team President of the Colts from 1998 through 2011.
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu is the Head of Player Relations for the AAF. J.K. McKay, who played on two USC national championship teams, serves as the Head of Football Operations. Other staff members include former players Hines Ward, Jared Allen, and Justin Tuck.
The AAF will consist of eight teams owned by the league. The league will begin a 12-week season on February 9, 2019 on CBS and will conclude with the championship game during the weekend of April 26-28, 2019, also on CBS.
One game per week will also air on CBS Sports Network, while the remaining games will be available to stream through the league’s app. Live fantasy play will also be integrated into the broadcasts.
The draft for the AAF will be conducted in the Fall after the conclusion of the college football season. It will reportedly start with regional drafts to protect “…eligible players who played in the local community for their college days.”
Rule changes from the NFL include no kickoffs and all extra points are 2-point conversions from the 2-yard line. There will also be an alternative to onside kicks, “…with the team wanting to try one instead taking possession at its 35 yard-line on a fourth-and-10 to try one play to keep the ball.”
Today’s announcement comes roughly two months after Vince McMahon announced that the XFL is set to return in 2020.
You can view the composite AAF Schedule at the link below. Individual team schedules will be added to the site soon.
View Comments (27)
Glad to see they adopted the Greg Schiano proposal to remove kickoffs. This change will make the game safer and more exciting (4th and 10 is better than an onside kick).
Wow, in two years we get two new Pro football leagues, wonder if this one will fold like the others do before it can even get on its feet. I also wonder will it be competing with the XFL on getting the cities it wants or will this become a lawsuit waiting to happen. I can't see a city say like Columbus,Oh getting an XFL & AAF team but I could be wrong. I have heard nothing yet about the XFL adding teams but while the NFL is hurting a little, might as well jump on the bang wagon & see what sticks.
Removing the kickoff is a stupid idea it takes away from the game of football. it is supposed to be a surprise element Putting the ball on the 35 is no surprise it just another normal play. If you want to make the game safer put a weight limit on players that can be on kickoff teams say no one over 165 lbs can participate on a kickoff play. Get the game back to the normal people Makes as much sense as changeing the game
The Cleveland Browns should withdraw from the NFL and join this league. They have struggled in the NFL for years and most players in this league will be unable to make it onto an NFL roster.
Weekly game on CBS from mid February to end of April. How will network balance this with March Madness and Masters Golf?
What is surprising about a kickoff? 90% of the time it’s just a touchback anyway. The problem is, by the time the returner has taken a knee, the lead blockers have hit each other at far higher speeds than a regular play, which makes it dangerous. When it’s not a touchback, sure there are some exciting returns, but punt returns are better, and Schiano’s original “ball on the 35” proposal was that you would normally punt. This article is ambiguous about whether this league has adopted that proposal, but it preserves the ability to do a surprise onside with a fake punt. Kickoffs are dangerous, add little to the game compared with punts, and are best off being eliminated from football
You're right Chipmunk. Removing the kickoff is just absolutely stupid.
A bigger question: how does the National Football League feel about this development? Will it affect CBS in negotiations when their contract to broadcast AFC games expires in 2022?
CBS and Turner should be uncomfortable broadcasting and making money off of March Madness when college athletes aren't allowed to see a dime. So they should threaten to walk away from the contract if changes aren't made.
@Keowee, the game will be on CBSSN, not CBS. Having the league start play the week after the Super Bowl is just dumb.
The inaugural game and championship game will be on CBS, one game per week on CBSSN, others streaming.