The Alliance of American Football (AAF) isn't even through their first season of being in existence, and there is already talk of the league folding. According to Tom Dundon, the league's majority owner the AAF can't get the NFLPA to allow some of the NFL's young players to play in the league, which is hurting the league and now they are reevaluating their options.
“If the players union is not going to give us young players, we can't be a development league,” said Dundon, who in February committed to invest $250 million into the league via USA Today. “We are looking at our options, one of which is discontinuing the league.”
The NFLPA didn't have an official response to the comments from Dundon, but according to one player's union official, the reason for not allowing NFL players to play in the league has to do with the CBA.
The person said the players' union is founded on the belief that using active NFL players and practice squad members for the AAF would violate the terms of the CBA and the restrictions that prevent teams from holding mandatory workouts and practices throughout the offseason. The limitations set in place are designed to ensure the safety and adequate rest and recovery time for football players. But there’s a concern that teams would abuse their power and pehaps force young players into AAF action as a condition for consideration for NFL roster spots in the fall.
The NFLPA doesn't want to open their players up to a chance at injury which could cost them their spot on an NFL roster. It will be interesting if the NFLPA budges on this issue, but if they don't, the end might be near for the AAF.
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