The Alliance of American Football announced this week that it is suspending all football operations for the remainder of the 2019 season, and it sounds like the league is hanging its players and employees out to dry.
San Diego radio host Rich Ohrnberger, who was an offensive lineman in the NFL for six seasons, shared some details highlighting the disaster AAF officials have created by abruptly pulling the plug on the league. Players returned to their hotels this week to find their personal items waiting in the lobby. Injured players have also been informed that they will have to figure out their own medical and rehab expenses.
More on the #AAF collapse:
+Players in Memphis came back to their hotels after news came down, and had their personal items waiting in the lobby. Kicked out of their lodgings.
+Amount of money owed to vendors, venues, etc. in San Antonio for training camp is over $4 Million
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) April 4, 2019
+Reserve/Injured players, “will be left in the cold.” They will be paying for their own rehab/medical expenses.
+High level staff at the team level received email from “The Board” no one received a termination notice from an actual person.
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) April 4, 2019
Here’s an example of an exchange between two players who were trying to figure out last-second housing.
Brandon Silvers and Anthony Manzo-Lewis —QB & FB for the Memphis Express #teammates pic.twitter.com/GdVpEMPHU4
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) April 4, 2019
Ohrnberger also notes that team staff members were asked to stay behind and clean out their office spaces while they were no longer on the payroll. AAF staffers were informed via a generic email that they have all been let go.
Termination letter sent to #AAF staff.
No one signed the letter… sent from generic company email address.…hell of a way to be let go. pic.twitter.com/EZp1rnTJYN
— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) April 4, 2019
What a nightmare. Not surprisingly, it sounds like the AAF’s founders will be dealing with a number of lawsuits over the way they closed up shop. While at least one former player has made light of the situation, the way things are being handled must seem surreal to many of those involved with the league.
