Alliance League Pleased with Progress up to this Point
McMahon, Ebersol and Woods Pleased with Alliance Fiscal Year
May 10, 2016
Stamford, CT - Vince McMahon, Charlie Ebersol, and Brian Woods expected to end year 1 in the red for the financial report, as they stated year three was the aim for when profitability would become a reality.
The report states that the league is 36% owned by Alpha Entertainment LLC(McMahon), 24% Legendary Field Exhibitions LLC(Ebersol), 12% Speros Sports LLC(Speros), 12% for FedEx Sports LLC(Smith), 12% RedBird Capital Partners LLC(Johnson), 3% Spring League Football LLC(Woods) and 1% Austin Generals LLC(Harris).
Expenditures totaled $95M for the 2016 fiscal season. Costs consisted of $27M from player contracts, $8M for Quarterback contracts, $31M in front office/coaching contracts, $9M in stadium leases, $8M in traveling expenses, $9M in housing expenses, $1M on equipment, and $2M on marketing.
The league did receive $20M from TV rights with FOX, $19M from Speros Sports LLC, $19M from RedBird Capital Partners LLC, $19M from FedEx Sports LLC and $2M from Austin Generals LLC, $28M in ticket sales, and $10M in merchandise.
The league ended the 2015-2016 fiscal season with a $22M surplus. League President Jeffery Pollack said he was "really encouraged with those numbers. The belief in our league from guys like Dwayne Johnson, Frederick W. Smith, Jimmy Speros and Ted Leonsis is going to keep this league strong for a long time."
Look for Vince McMahon and Charlie Ebersol to continue to move towards the franchise model for the AAF in 2017 and beyond.
Oliver Luck Outlines Immediate AAF Future
May 24, 2016
Stamford, CT - AAF Commissioner Oliver Luck that the summer months wouldn't lack excitement for the Alliance fans. Highlights from Luck's announcement consist of:
- The AAF season will expand from 8 games to 10 games starting next season
- Salary cap will increase from $3M to $3.5M, and salaries will go from $76,900 to $89,700 per player.
- Salary for Franchise player will stay at $1M and still won't count against the salary cap.
- The league is still looking to add two more teams for the 2017 season, including one in Chicago
- The league added a one year television contract with ESPN for $12M, which would air a third game on Saturday(ESPN3) and Sunday(ESPN2) for the league
- All eight AAF franchises will have to trim their rosters from 40 to 35 by September
- AAF Expansion Draft will be held on October 15th on ESPN2
- The draft will consist of all newly signed AAF players, along with the players trimmed from the other eight AAF franchises and the entire Austin Generals roster
- Expect coaching staffs for Baltimore Brigade and Washington Valor to be announced by July and the other two expansion franchises by late August
First Real Offseason Begins for Alliance
May 27, 2016
Stamford, CT - Roster turnover always takes place in professional sports leagues and the Alliance League is no different. However, the league was pleased with how little the National Football League ravaged their talent instead relying on signing younger players.
- Birmingham Iron Defensive Coordinator Gunther Cunningham, and Offensive Tackle David Stewart retired. Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore took the same position with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. RB Trent Richardson replaced QB Tahj Boyd as the designated "franchise player."
- Former Memphis Express QB Dennis Dixon signed with the Arena Football's Orlando Predators, WR Dwayne Bowe signed with the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, and WR Robert Meachem signed with the Indoor Football League's Green Bay Blizzard.
- Miami Blues QB Tarvaris Jackson retired to become the QB Coach, RB Mikel LeShoure signed with the CFL's Toronto Argonauts. QB Tim Tebow would be transitioning to Tight End but remaining as the designated "franchise player."
- Houston Roughnecks WR Tommy Streeter signed with CFL's Edmonton Eskimos.
- Los Angeles Wildcats QB Jordan Palmer retired.
- San Antonio Commanders QB Brady Quinn and RB Felix Jones retired and DB Sterling Moore signed with the NFL's New Orleans Saints.
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