The XFL would be better off shutting things down now and just accepting that a second pro football league will NEVER work. Why did the deal ultimately fail? The XFL, another league, begins its season in February 2020. CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 16: Cleveland Gladiators WR Michael Preston (19) makes a 9-yard touchdown catch ... [+] over Baltimore Brigade DB Qumain Black (5) during the second quarter of the Arena League Football game between the Baltimore Brigade and Cleveland Gladiators on June 16, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. Titans (16): Would you believe Ryan Tannehill now qualifies as top-rated passer in AFC (111.4)? Chargers (21): Philip Rivers has now been on losing end of 61 games decided by seven or fewer points, most by any starting quarterback in Super Bowl era. After more than three decades, the league is ceasing operations. Alternatively, please email ifollow@efl.com - note that live chat is recommended for the quickest response on a matchday. Seahawks (4): Want another great Russell Wilson statistic? I write sports at Forbes.com, The Athletic, Sporting News & Jets Wire. 9. 19. Welcome to the homepage of the EFL. Fans of the Arena Football League team Washington Valor celebrate with Valor quarterback Arvell Nelson (No. The league suspended local business operations in October and had been evaluating potential strategic operations before Wednesday's decision. A group of rich guys with egos -- no women involved here -- think that because they have enough money to start a football league, it will automatically work. Calling it a “difficult but necessary decision,” the Arena Football League announced Tuesday evening that it was closing business operations in its six local markets. Wide right. 2. "We simply weren't able to raise the capital necessary to grow the League, resolve the substantial legacy liabilities and make it financially viable," league commissioner Randall Boe said in a statement. Most normal people would have kept on flipping. 15. “We all love the game and tried very hard to make it successful, but we simply weren’t able to raise the capital necessary to grow the League, resolve the substantial legacy liabilities and make it financially viable.”. The end seemed near for the AFL when only four teams participated in the 2018 season, but the league brought in two expansion teams last season. Just awful football There’s no pussyfooting around it, the quality of football in the XFL was nothing short of atrocious. Here are 10 reasons why American Football won't work in England. It was founded in 1987, making it the third longest-running professional football league in North America after the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the National Football League (NFL) until the AFL closed in 2019. Surely you did, even just in passing. Colts (10): Losses to Raiders, Steelers may spell doom in tie-breaker department for Indy, which can't make up much ground with three NFC opponents left. The USFL, or United States Football League, was an American professional football league that competed for three seasons. After more than three decades, the league is ceasing operations. Redskins (31): Best thing about Dwayne Haskins' selfie? Buccaneers (24): The real question, given Bucs' 20th-ranked ground game, is why hasn't high school RB Vita Vea been in backfield far more often in 2019? 10. Ever since their founding in 1995, the SaberCats When given a halftime lead of at least four points during his eight-year career, he's 55-0. 28. Cleveland defeated Baltimore 59-48. The Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) was a professional football minor league that played two seasons in 2014 and 2015. Their Thanksgiving game immediately followed by another prime-time appearance every year since 2012. 8. The AFL never got the attention that the NFL did, but a few notable players passed through the league over the years. But what about running game that's surpassed century mark twice all year? over Baltimore Brigade DB Qumain Black (5) during the second quarter of the Arena League Football game between the Baltimore Brigade and Cleveland Gladiators on June 16, 2017, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. There was something missing: The Teams, Players, Coaches and literally everything else you need to make a football league run, including a place to actually air the games. 16. It filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Wednesday after … Lions (28): Why wouldn't they shut down Matthew Stafford? 5. I have spent time with Bleacher Report, FanRag Sports and CNBC, among others. The six remaining teams were Albany, Atlantic City, Baltimore, Columbus, Philadelphia and Washington. 7. The UFL initially had plans to start with eight teams with $12–20 million rosters playing in targeted sites in the fall of 2008. The XFL is making a comeback attempt in 2020. The league claimed 44 out of 126 players ended up on NFL rosters. The Rattlers, the most successful team in Arena Football League history, are leaving to join the Indoor Football League. "We're all disappointed that we couldn't find a way to move forward, and we wanted to thank our fans, our players, coaches, everyone who loved Arena League Football.". Broncos (26): Shoutout to Courtland Sutton, who's developed into Pro Bowl-caliber wideout under less-than-ideal offensive circumstances this season. I think it can, however they will need to try other strategies other then a sub par league in Europe (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). A link has been sent to your friend's email address. The XFL 2.0, like the AAF … I cover the Yankees, Jets, MLB, NFL and more for a variety of outlets. But did you know they feature NFL's top-rated run defense? Maybe that comes next week, when they'll likely be officially eliminated from playoff picture. Zeal with which he commemorated two-turnover performance that saw him complete 45% of his passes. The … The United Football League was founded by Bill Hambrecht and Tim Armstrong. 6. 22. Here's why. Seven turnovers a league low, and they don't have multiple in any game. Ravens (1): Yet another milestone now in Lamar Jackson's sights? 20. 32. Here’s 5 Reasons 1. Why did the NFL Europe League fail, and can American football ever catch on in other parts of the world other then North America? In 2009, owner and commissioner Mitch Mortaza decided to The Arena Football League announced Wednesday it had declared bankruptcy and would not go on after more than 30 years in existence. Texans (12): It's probably too early to draw a definitive conclusion, but it's possible this defense might be playing better since J.J. Watt went down. A month after shutting down operations for all six of its teams, the Arena Football League filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Wednesday — officially ceasing all operations after more than three decades in existence. Dolphins (29): From "Silver Linings Playbook" department, Allen Hurns one of league's nicest comeback stories, new extension in hand just months after scary playoff injury while with Dallas. pic.twitter.com/sFTtdAWRQV. So, Why Did the XFL Fail? I am also the…. In addition to Forbes.com, I am a contributor at The Athletic and Sporting News. Eagles (14): No matter how beaten up they are, it's officially go time given next three opponents prior to key rematch with Dallas are combined 6-27. Aaron Rodgers has been sacked 15 times over past four weeks (Pack 2-2). Now back to Dalton? Then, they throw Ryan Finely to wolves ... without a chance. “We’re all disappointed that we couldn’t find a way forward and we wanted to thank our fans, our players, coaches, everyone who loved the Arena Football League,” AFL commissioner Randall Boe said in a statement. The league was mostly hurt by a lawsuit filed by one of its insurance carriers. Maybe that comes next week, when they'll likely be officially eliminated from playoff picture. If you love talking football, we have the perfect spot for you. 3:11 Newcastle fan Matt Renton of The Magpie Channel says it's 'heartbreaking' for fans that the Saudi-led group … Friday night, the 2016 Arena Football League schedule kicks off, with no Bay Area franchise. The league, re-branded as Arena Football One in 2009, was the second well-known league to close down this year after the Alliance of American Football, which began its first season in February, ended midway through the season in April as a result of financial concerns. Cowboys (9): How much does NFL showcase Dallas? A month after … The Arena Football League has issued the following statement. © 2020 Forbes Media LLC. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. No wonder buzz is building that Tennessee may extend him. It lasted for more than 30 years. The Tampa Bay Storm were a professional arena football team based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. that played in the Arena Football League (AFL). In order to use the live chat functionality you need to opt into live chat cookies. Packers (6): They're clearly vulnerable against teams that can rush the passer. United Football League (2009-2012) The UFL launched with just four teams comprised primarily of players and coaches who had spent time in the NFL. 27. Cardinals (25): Chandler Jones on track to lead league in sacks for second time in three seasons, yet does anybody give him acclaim he clearly deserves? You can follow me on Twitter at @GaryHPhillips or reach me via email at garyhphillips@outlook.com. For the 30th anniversary of the USFL's final game, Arash Markazi explores controversial presidential candidate Donald Trump's involvement with the ill-fated 1980s pro football league. I cover the Yankees, Jets, MLB, NFL and more for a variety of outlets. The Arena Football League (AFL) was a professional indoor American football league in the United States. 3. It's never been smooth sailing for the AFL – bankruptcy cancelled the 2009 season – but the league had been able to endure since 1987. Patriots (2): No complacency for what Tom Brady admits is sputtering offense, LT Isaiah Wynn and rookie WR N'Keal Harry, who scored his first TD, joining starting lineup Sunday. 17. 1. What, you hadn’t noticed? © 2020 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Saints (3): Trait that should serve them well? This league's stated goal was to become a professional feeder-system for the National Football League (NFL). 29. To do this click on the cookie settings button below. Rams (11): Did they simply run into a buzzsaw Monday night, or has L.A. really fallen off this much in less than a year? Some were optimistic the AAF would survive, maybe even thrive, as it filled the void NFL fans feel after the Super Bowl. LFL started as a halftime spectacle known as the Lingerie Bowl in 2004. Raiders (13): Horrendous as they looked in Sunday's meltdown, a win at Kansas City in Week 13 vaults Oakland into first-place tie atop AFC West. 18. "HE'S EITHER A CLOWN OR A F---ING GENIUS,"David Moyes suggested to a member of his coaching team after an early meeting with Ed Woodward, United's newly appointed executive vice-chairman, in July 2013. Heralded as the "Chosen One" after signing a six-year contract as Ferguson's successor, Moyes was led to believe that big moves were underway to sign Gareth Bale, Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo. Why Bill Hambrecht and Mark Cuban's UFL - United Football League - Will Fail Well, all I can say is "here we go again." So in 1983 he bought a football team, joining a confederacy of other rich rogues who had just completed their first season of the United States Football League. 12. 24. A look at why the Alliance of American Football probably won't survive and whether the XFL can avoid similar pitfalls. Hmmm. 13. You may opt-out by. Jets (27): You probably know Jets have been on fire last three weeks, scoring 34 in each game. I am also the managing editor at Jets Wire. [citation needed] T. Boone Pickens and Mark Cuban had originally been in discussion with the league as potential owners, but both backed out prior to the 2009 season. Bears (23): It's convenient to pin blame for this season on Mitchell Trubisky. No more SaberCats. The timing of a second football league was critical. AAF: Why the fledgling league was always doomed to fail NFL Woodward even … Majority owner Ron Shurts said … Jaguars (22): Only one team has surrendered more rushing TDs than Jacksonville. 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