AAF stands for the American Alliance of Football. It is a professional American football league that was founded in 2018 and operated for a single season before suspending operations. The AAF aimed to provide a spring football league alternative to the National Football League (NFL) and offered opportunities for players to continue their football careers and showcase their skills.
The AAF comprised of eight teams that competed in a ten-week regular season, followed by a four-team playoff system. The league emphasized a fast-paced, high-scoring game with rule modifications to increase excitement and viewer engagement. Notable rules included no extra point attempts, mandatory two-point conversion attempts after touchdowns, no kickoffs, and a 35-second play clock.
The league garnered attention for its high-profile involvement of former NFL players, coaches, and executives. It provided a platform for players to gain exposure and potentially attract attention from NFL teams. The AAF aimed to bridge the gap between the NFL seasons and cater to football fans year-round.
Despite positive reception and initial success, financial and operational challenges led to the suspension of AAF operations in April 2019. The league's closure resulted in the cancellation of the inaugural season's playoffs and left many players and staff members without jobs.
Though short-lived, the American Alliance of Football attempted to establish itself as a competitive and complementary football league to the NFL, contributing to the rich and evolving landscape of professional American football.
