AAF Suspending Operations Comes As Shock Throughout League

Today's news that the the AAF is suspending operations before the end of its first season "came as a surprise to some league executives," according to sources, after the AAF "had a call with reps from the NFLPA on Monday and a potential relationship showed some signs of life" (ACTIONNETWORK.com, 4/2). AAF Chair Tom Dundon is "acting against the wishes of people contracted to work underneath him." A source confirmed that includes AAF co-Founders Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian. The spring football league, its partners and the NFL reportedly are "all perplexed by Dundon's movements in the past 24 hours" (CBSSPORTS.com, 4/2).

Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier said, "Everyone was led to believe that the Alliance was well funded and we could play three years without making money. ... Obviously, everything that was said was not very truthful" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 4/2). If the league folds today, it "would have lasted 52 days from its first game to end" (MYSANANTONIO.com, 4/2).