HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE AFFA TO ALL OF YOU!  STAY SAFE AND GOD BLESS!

BULLS RE-SIGN CATO!

Omaha, Nebraska:  The Omaha Bulls have resigned starting quarterback Rakeem Cato. Cato led the Bulls to a 7-8 record in 2019.

USFL FLAVOR!

San Antonio, Texas-  The United States Football League may have died in the 80's, but a few former USFL franchises have been given new life in the Associated Football Franchises of America (A.F.F.A).

It all started with the Michigan Panthers who were unleashed in the AFFA inaugural season, and have been a staple franchise ever since. In 2020 the AFFA will add the Tampa Bay Bandits and the just recently announced San Antonio Gunslingers.

Steve Haustler owner of the new San Antonio franchise made the announcement earlier this morning.  A Texas native now living in Shreveport, Louisiana. Haustler considered, Gunslingers, Commanders ( AAF) and Marshals as possible brand names.

" San Antonio is a great sports town and deserves a competitive professional football team. The AAF San Antonio Commanders thrived and led that league in attendance.  The Cimarrons made a serious run for the AFFA playoffs last season under the former ownership. "

" When I purchased the franchise, my first thought was to revert to the "Commanders " brand. After all the name was fresh and would still be familiar to fans.  " Marshals " was another brand I considered, but the " Gunslingers " brand kept running through my mind. To me it just fit!"  Said Haustler

" We have decided to bring back the same color scheme as the original " Gunslingers " of the USFL and that same fun logo. I don't know, I just fell in love with it!"  Haustler continued.

The Gunslingers will play its home games at the Alamo Dome.

NEW ORLEANS TO SIGN METTENBERGER!

New Orleans, Louisiana-  The AFFA expansion New Orleans Nightmare are reportedly finalizing a deal to sign former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger it was reported earlier this morning. Terms of the deal have not been released at this time

Mettenberger last played for the Memphis Express of the defunct Alliance of American Football.  He also saw time in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers. 

NEW YORK! NEW YORK!

New York, New York:  The New York Red Raiders ( formerly Empire) formally announced that they have worked out a multi-year deal to play their home games at Michie Stadium on the Campus of West Point.

The AFFA franchise made Micbie Stadium their home for a couple years before moving to MCU Park Stadium the last couple years.

" We are so excited about moving back to Michie Stadium. This move along with our new brand signifies a league wide commitment to success. We want to thank everyone involved in getting this deal done for 2020 and beyond. " said Lisa Stanser( part owner) of the Knights.

TRY AND TRY AGAIN!

Baton Rouge, La:  Former LSU quarterback Ryan Perrilloux officially put his name in the hat for the upcoming AFFA draft.

Perrilloux last played for the New Orleans Voodoo of the Arena League in 2014. He has also seen time in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.  As well as a brief stint in the Canadian Football League.

" The desire to play still burns inside me. I know my window to get back to the NFL has probably closed, but I see this as an opportunity to play the game I love. "  said the 32 year old Perrilloux.

Former LSU head coach Les Miles said, " I am a big fan of the kid! I have been rooting for him and think he can do whatever he sets his mind to. If I was still coaching in the AAF, I definitely would give him a serious look. "  ( Miles was head coach of the then expansion St.Louis Scouts in 2018, leading the Scouts to a playoff berth. He left to become head coach at the University of Kansas. )

The 6-3 204 lb Perrilloux has spoken to a couple AFFA clubs though it is unknown which ones.

Antonio Brown Discussion!

A.F.F.A Ponders Antonio Brown

New Orleans,  Louisiana-  With the release of wide receiver Antonio Brown by the New England Patriots of the NFL. There has been rumors that the beligered and controversial Brown may find a home in the AFFA.

" Their have been discussions among owners about the possibility. However we have not been contacted by Mr. Brown or his agent. Obviously he is a very talented player, but there are also issues of concern that have to be taken into consideration. " said a league spokesman in a brief statement.

Hartford Colonials owner Zack Utley said,  " I for one would definitely consider signing Mr. Brown. I think there is a good chance, but we will have to wait and see how his legal situation pans out. Of  course the the league will have to determine if Mr. Brown will be accepted after all is said and done. "

A.F.F.A CONFERENCE AND DIVISIONAL ALIGNMENTS

Empire Conference 


Atlantic Division 

New York Red Raiders

Hartford Centurions

Philadelphia Bulldogs

Pittsburgh Forge

Southern Division 




Georgia Firebirds

Birmingham Suns

Houston Wranglers

Arkansas Armadillos

Midwest Division 



Oklahoma Roughnecks

Dallas Six Shooters

Omaha Express

St. Louis Stallions

Southwest Division 





Arizona Scorpions 

Los Angeles Stars

San Antonio Marshals

San Diego Diablos

METROPOLITAN CONFERENCE 


Eastern Division 


Louisville Cougars

Carolina Speed

Memphis Bombers

Washington Wave

Great Lakes Division 



Columbus Explorers

Michigan Stags

Chicago Crusaders

Iowa Threshers

Gulf Coast Division 



Tampa Bay Barracudas

New Orleans Nightmare

Orlando Rockets

Mississippi Cottonmouths

Pacific Division 


Oakland Odyssey

Las Vegas Bandits

Honolulu Volcanoes

Utah Raptors

WASHINGTON IN THE AFFA?

Former Washington Redskins head coach and NASCAR team owner Joe Gibbs recently expressed interest in acquiring a AFFA franchise for the nation's capital Washington DC.

" Sure, I think Washington would be a great location for a spring football franchise. I have discussed the possibility with the AFFA commissioner and others. All I have received was positive feedback. In the 80's the Washington Federals of the USFL by all intensive purposes failed miserably. However, times have changed and though the AAF collapsed, it showed that there is a hunger for more football. I believe the XFL has a great chance at being a success as they have the financial backing and resources to make it happen. The AFFA though suffering some groins pains will be entering their fifth season in 2020. So would I be interested? Absolutely! Will it happen? Well, that remains to be seen. "  said Gibbs on a local Washington sports radio station Monday night.

It could very well happen as the AFFA announced that they will be expanding to 32 teams in 2020. The league had a total of 28 teams in 2019. Originally the league planned a 30 team format for 2020, but the commissioner and several team owners have campaigned hard for a 32 team format. A vote is expected at the owners meeting in September. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Familiarity To Be Key!

 The Associated Football Franchises Of America announced this morning that they are looking to bring more team recognition to the league in 2020. One way the league plans on doing this, is by adopting team names from defunct Spring leagues and perhaps a couple former Arena teams.

" We feel having teams with names that fans may recognize will help the league fan base. We are looking to hopefully adopt team names from the USFL, UFL, WLAF and former Arena league teams. We are also looking to adopt all eight franchises from the recently failed Alliance of American Football. Though the league didn't complete its first and only season, they did have decent television ratings and team reconizability will be high." Said a league official.

Also, the AFFA announced that the league will expand to 32 teams for 2020. Conference and division alignments will be announced once teams are finalized. The Louisville Thoroughbreds and Omaha Bulls are said to be the only "original " AFFA teams included in the " reboot ". The Miami Sharks and Carolina Generals have reportedly suspended operations due to owners disapproving of the new format.

The league owners will vote on the new format during the league Fall Owners Meeting in Dallas sometime in September ( date not confirmed).