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Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL team, should have saved the FAA and asked if the NFL should invest.
Diana Payan, The Republic | azcentral.com

PHOENIX – Plans to bring an MLS franchise to Detroit may never come to fruition, but the city could be ripe for another professional sports team.

That's what the founder of the American Football Alliance says, at least.

In an exchange on Twitter with rapper Eminem based in Detroit on Monday, Charlie Ebersol, a television producer who founded the AAF, offered the opportunity to create a franchise in the city.

Starting from February: The new AAF league has links with Michigan

The exchange began when Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, scored the AAF in a tweet asking the league to allow players to fight like hockey.

"I WANT TO WATCH EVERY GAME (EVEN IF THERE IS NO TEAM STILL STILL – TIP.) DO NOT CAN," writes Mathers.

Ebersol responded with a tweet from his own voice saying, "Detroit is not a bad idea for a future franchise, let me know if you want to participate."

The AAF, which started as a developmental football league earlier this year, is currently comprised of eight teams spread across mostly non-NFL markets, such as San Antonio, Orlando, Memphis and Salt Lake. City.

The league also has teams in Tempe, Arizona, near where the Arizona Cardinals play, and Atlanta, home to the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.

It is unclear how serious Ebersol was in his proposal – an email requesting the comment that was not returned immediately – and why, in his opinion, Detroit would be paramount for an expansion franchise.

The city already has four professional sports teams, including the NFL Lions, and a new team is likely to face adverse weather conditions for its home games (assuming it would play elsewhere than at Lions, Ford Field).

San Antonio halfback Kenneth Farrow II (20) scored a touchdown in the first half against the Atlanta Legends at Georgia State Stadium. (Photo: Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports)

Seven weeks after the start of its inaugural season, the AAF has received mixed reviews.

The league appreciated better television ratings than expected, but financial and legal difficulties also arise. Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon reportedly pledged $ 250 million in the league as he struggled to earn money and pay, and Ebersol was sued by a man who claimed the league was his idea.

From the point of view of football, the AAF employs players who were largely marginal or worst players in the NFL, most of whom are looking for a last shot in the league.

The league will also face the future challenges of new leagues such as the new XFL remodeled in 2020.

Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett. Learn more about the Detroit Lions and sign up for our Lions newsletter.