Alliance of American Football reveals team names, logos with kickoff drawing near

Are you ready for more football? A new league called the Alliance of American Football (AAF) revealed the names and logos of the final four teams that will be playing in the upstart NFL competitor come February.

The AAF was founded by TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Polian and intends to start play just one week after Super Bowl LIII.

The season will last 10 weeks, leading to a four-team playoff, ending with a championship game April 28. Should the league survive into 2020, it will be a direct-competitor with the XFL, which has also marketed itself as an alternative to the NFL.

Most AAF teams have already hired coaches with big name pedigrees. Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary is set to coach the Memphis Express, college football coaching legend Steve Spurrier will be on the sideline for the Orlando Apollos and former NFL great Michael Vick is an offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Legends.

Some notable former NFL and college players include: Quarterbacks Trevor Knight, Blake Sims and Zach Mettenberger; running backs Trent Richardson and Zac Stacy; wide receivers Stephen Hill and L’Damian Washington; offensive lineman Cyril Richardson; defensive lineman Will Sutton; linebacker Jonathan Massaquoi; cornerback Will Davis; and kicker Nick Novak.

Arizona Hotshots

Atlanta Legends

Birmingham Iron

Memphis Express

Orlando Apollos

Salt Lake Stallions

San Antonio Commanders

San Diego Fleet

I do like the that fact most of these cities don't have an NFL team.

[Edited 9/26/18 16:31pm]

You wonder whether the people behind these 'upstart' leagues have bothered to check the history of football leagues that have tried to compete with the NFL.

The USFL, the XFL, NFL Europe ... none of them have ended well. Having said that I love seeing all the team names, logos, kits, etc of the teams they come up with. Some of these looks cool, though why would you call Memphis the 'Express' then stick a plane on their logo rather than a train? That's just stupid!

DaveT said:

You wonder whether the people behind these 'upstart' leagues have bothered to check the history of football leagues that have tried to compete with the NFL.

The USFL, the XFL, NFL Europe ... none of them have ended well. Having said that I love seeing all the team names, logos, kits, etc of the teams they come up with. Some of these looks cool, though why would you call Memphis the 'Express' then stick a plane on their logo rather than a train? That's just stupid!

The USFL actually had a chance to survive and thrive but our genius president wa a team owner at the time and thought suing the NFL was a brilliant idea. It was - for the NFL, because that lawsuit caused the demise of the USFL.

I'd like to say our genius president learned from that failure and got smarter but I can't.

RodeoSchro said:

DaveT said:

You wonder whether the people behind these 'upstart' leagues have bothered to check the history of football leagues that have tried to compete with the NFL.

The USFL, the XFL, NFL Europe ... none of them have ended well. Having said that I love seeing all the team names, logos, kits, etc of the teams they come up with. Some of these looks cool, though why would you call Memphis the 'Express' then stick a plane on their logo rather than a train? That's just stupid!

The USFL actually had a chance to survive and thrive but our genius president wa a team owner at the time and thought suing the NFL was a brilliant idea. It was - for the NFL, because that lawsuit caused the demise of the USFL.

I'd like to say our genius president learned from that failure and got smarter but I can't.

Really?! What, he didn't have enough to do running the country?!!

DaveT said:

DaveT said:

You wonder whether the people behind these 'upstart' leagues have bothered to check the history of football leagues that have tried to compete with the NFL.

The USFL, the XFL, NFL Europe ... none of them have ended well. Having said that I love seeing all the team names, logos, kits, etc of the teams they come up with. Some of these looks cool, though why would you call Memphis the 'Express' then stick a plane on their logo rather than a train? That's just stupid!

USFL was starting to do good but when some in the league wanted to play season 3 during the NFL season that is when the league folded. I liked the XFL, the football aspect of it, hated the wrestling aspect of it. NFL Europe sucked because it turned out to be just a minor league for the NFL. Any good players in that league didn't stay there long and ended going to the NFL. Towards the end there almost all the teams were in Gremany (should have called it NFL Germany). Let's not forget there was UFL from 2009-2012. That league sucked because all the games were on-line. Also the WFL in the 70's, Hawaii had a team. Was to young to remember the WFL. Honestly I hope this league does well and they have quality football. Hope it airs on the networks ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC. Honestly there is a long stretch there after NFL draft day where I want to watch some pro football, Hey maybe Johnny Manzell and Tim Tebow could be starting QB's.

United States Football League
(1983 - 1985)

World Football League (1974-1975)

United Football League (2009 - 2012)

XFL (2001)

THE WLAF PERIOD (1991 - 1992)

NFL Europa (1995-2007)

[Edited 10/2/18 2:39am]

EmmaMcG said:

Do you think this or the XFL will be successful?

Well for sure only 1 could be successful not 2 leagues. Rooting for the AAF. I think it could survive if they don't play against the NFL. I like that most of the teams has cities that are not in the NFL. I hope it airs on TV and not an inter net league like the UFL. Hey I would watch a game if Johnny Manzell was playing against Tim Tewbow team.

DaveT said:

RodeoSchro said:

The USFL actually had a chance to survive and thrive but our genius president wa a team owner at the time and thought suing the NFL was a brilliant idea. It was - for the NFL, because that lawsuit caused the demise of the USFL.

I'd like to say our genius president learned from that failure and got smarter but I can't.

Really?! What, he didn't have enough to do running the country?!!

He owned the New Jersey Generals back in the 80's. There was talk about the USFL coming back like 10 years ago but that fell through. Michael Dwyer was behind trying to bring it back but ended up selling the USFL name to some card company

USFL: Making a Comeback

Richie FenderDecember 11, 2008

Who remembers the United States Football League? To be honest, I've heard of it but not familiar with the defunct league.

It was a short-lived professional football league that only played three seasons between 1983 and 1985. It was by far the NFL's strongest competitor since the 1960s version of the American Football League. Unfortunately, the league officially folded in 1988.

Here is the official press release issued to the media announcing the plans for the New USFL.

The New United States Football League To Kick Off in February 2010

Redondo Beach, CA – Aug. 13, 2008 – A new professional football league will launch its inaugural season Feb. 20, 2010 as the New United States Football League (USFL), it was announced today by Michael Dwyer, founder and chairman of the new league.

The New USFL season will run from February through June and will feature a 16-game season with no preseason games. There will also be wild card and division playoffs leading to a new USFL Championship Game at the end of June. This schedule is designed to avoid any overlap with other major football leagues and provide fans with football excitement year round.

The league will start with 12 teams and grow to a maximum of 16 teams. Teams are currently slotted for California, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, Michigan, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Utah, and New York.

Tom Shapiro, USFL Commissioner and Assistant City Attorney of Santa Barbara, CA, said, “Americans love football—it’s a fact that’s been proven year after year. We’ve worked long and hard to develop a winning league concept that Americans can really buy into.

"In fact, 30 percent of each team will be sold to the public in stocks, with an additional 20 percent of each team held by the league. We think this will help create fan loyalty and discourage teams from moving around.”

He added that the league believes its owners will have the financial strength, personal reputation and professional accomplishments that equal any group of professional league owners in existence today.

The stock sales should help generate another $40 to $50 million in capital to help ensure the success of the New United States Football League.

For more information on the new USFL, or to find out about team sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Dwyer at 310-539-3837 or visit NewUSFL.

When the original USFL started they competed with the older, more established National Football League by trying not to compete directly. The USFL played its games from March-June schedule but also having slightly different rules. The New USFL will run February to June and not compete during the NFL season.

The New USFL awards 12 states as the home of a New USFL teams. The states are:

Nevada
California (2)
Portland
Texas
Louisiana
Florida
Arkansas
New York
Michigan
Ohio
Alabama

This will be very interesting to see if two league can co-exist in today's sports industry. Let's look at it this way, if it weren't for the original USFL then we wouldn't have such marquee talent such as Herschel Walker, Craig James, Marcus Dupree, Brian Sipe, Doug Flutie, Mike Rozier, Reggie White, Jim Kelly, Steve Young, and other young stars of the day.
The USFL is looking to open their office in Redondo Beach, CA.

[Edited 9/26/18 11:24am]