With the launch of the AAF (Alliance for American Football) following the Super Bowl, the engagement for the league has just begun and is already competing with established leagues like the NBA. While the league caps out at four weekly games, all of the games received surprisingly high levels of interest despite the seemingly random locations of the teams and the unknown nature of its players. With fads coming and going why should Columbus throw its name in the hat?
There are a variety of factors about the league itself that makes it a different venture than past attempts of monetizing the thirst for football in the U.S.
- The league has an agreement with the NFL to provide a clear path for players back to the league meaning you could follow the development (or relegation of players) similar to watching Columbus Clippers players playing for the Indians and vice versa.
- The AAF has addressed some of the most toxic issues surrounding the NFL such as player contracts, player health after they are done playing and the all too prominent issues with officiating (Hello, sky judge!!).
- The AAF has branded itself as football plain and simple and has only made changes to increase the time spent playing the game while making it safer. This includes changing the frequency and format of commercials as well as eliminating much of the kicking game.
- The AAF is organized and run by former players, coaches and executives who know what it takes to produce quality football.
- The game is very close to the NFL with only a few changes that make the game safer and increase pace of play.
So why Columbus? Basically its a low risk, high reward venture when examined closer.
- No need for a new stadium (many seem tired of the constant need for new stadiums requested by owners) since Ohio State already has a stadium big enough to host a championship game, let alone allowing the stadium to be used during a typically dormant time of the year. The revenue generated could then be used to help develop more of Columbus as well as maintain the stadium and bring tourists to see an amazing stadium once again.
- No competition with OSU. Fans in Columbus (and Ohio) love football and they especially love Ohio State Football. The only game that could potentially interfere with the AAF is the annual Spring game, but 1 weekend out of 10 seems like a breeze for anyone scheduling events. Also, the aforementioned spring game draws near sell-out crowds for what amounts to a scrimmage further demonstrating the demand.
- Columbus already has a track record of supporting a minor league team. The Columbus Clippers both provide a format for marketing to the Columbus audience and with the proposed stadium downtown for Columbus Crew SC there may be another option of playing the games in the new stadium instead of at OSU’s ‘horseshoe’. If conflicting with arena football in Columbus is a concern, rest at ease because the Arena football season doesn’t begin until mid-May when the AAF champion will have already been decided.
It could be that the AAF will not last that long and this article will seem foolish but the minimal risk involved makes this an enticing proposition for a city and a state that have demonstrated they love football.