[ad_1]
The Alliance of American Football suspends its operations, which led Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier to stop testing on Tuesday afternoon and gather his team for the next meeting.
"Everyone wanted to play during the season and everyone was disappointed," said Spurrier, who came out of semi-retirement and head coach appointed by the AAF. "Everyone was led to believe that the Alliance was well funded and that we could play three years without making money, and this, that and the other. Obviously, everything that was said was not very truthful.
Shortly before 2 pm Spurrier added that the league had not yet been officially closed.
"It's not official until it's official," Spurrier said.
The majority owner, Tom Dundon, was to announce his future at 5 pm
Spurrier said the Apollos had already said goodbye at 2 pm meet just in case.
The co-founder of the league, Bill Polian, crushed all who hoped that the league would get a reprieve, by issuing a statement at 4 pm. ESPN and other media that read as follows:
"I am extremely disappointed to learn that Tom Dundon has decided to suspend all football activities of the Alliance of American Football. When Mr. Dundon took office, my co-founder, Charlie Ebersol, and I were convinced that we would end the season, pay our creditors and make the necessary adjustments to go forward in a manner that would economically interesting for all. .
"The momentum generated by our players, our coaches and our football staff has put us well to succeed in the future. Unfortunately, we will not have this opportunity. "
The announcement of the suspension of the operations of the League disappoints doubly disappointment for the Apollos, who were 7-1, their best score, and who were the favorites to win the championship.
The AAF did not even have enough money to spend the first two weeks of the season before having to be bailed out by Dundon, a billionaire owner of the NHL who acquired a majority stake in the circuit in mid-February. According to Action Network national affairs reporter Darren Rovell, Dundon has already paid $ 70 million into the league before deciding to end his activities.
The league was co-founded by Polian, an NFL Hall of Fame leader, and Ebersol – the son of Dick Ebersol, the former legendary president of NBC Sports.
When Rundell took control of Polian and Ebersol, according to Rovell's report, he funded the league's payroll, but did not pay the suppliers who worked for the FAA, many of whom are still looking for their money. When Dundon agreed to support the league, sources told Rovell that he had taken unilateral control of the council, which meant that any decision he took, including the dissolution of the league, was to him.
The suspension of operations while there were only two weeks left in the regular season did not work well for Spurrier.
"When the new owner arrived, we thought we had financial support and we could at least play the season," said Spurrier. "We never thought it would end like this."
Write to me at [email protected]. Hit me on Twitter @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show every day of the week from 6 am to 9 am on FM 96.9 and AM 740.
[ad_2]
Source link