… The AAF and NFLPA were in talks to use practice squad players in the AAF, developing them in the spring so that they are better prepared and in shape for NFL training camps. Though logistical hurdles remained about player safety and futures contracts, both sides seemed to be in agreement that a deal could be made at some point in time.
That apparently wasn’t quick enough for Dundon, who publicly rushed what could’ve amounted to years of negotiating with the NFLPA into a few weeks. Anyone with even a rudimentary knowledge of the NFL knows this stuff takes time because there’s so much red tape. The way the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement is structured, the soonest the AAF and NFLPA could have paired was not for another couple of years.
But, at the end of the day, it’s Dundon’s money – in this case, his $70 million that he’s eating – and he is able to make the calls despite pushback from AAF CEO Charlie Ebersol and Head of Football Bill Polian.
Numerous people inside the AAF, from front office personnel to coaches, expressed how utterly blindsided they were at Tuesday’s news that all football operations would be suspended. Dundon’s threats to potentially shutter the league, as well as laying off employees, came without warning or consultation for those contracted to work under Dundon. As of last weekend, Week 8 in the AAF’s season, the general feeling was that cause for concern had passed and that business would continue on as usual. Then, Dundon reiterated Monday night that he would act on the future of the league in earnest. One AAF general manager told
CBSSports.com on Tuesday afternoon that they had no idea what was going on.
CBSSports.com was told that ultimately Dundon had a different vision for the league when he took control of it than other people inside the AAF, which was one of many factors leading to his decision to shut things down.
