The Alliance of America Football announced on Thursday that the league’s players are now free to sign with NFL teams.
Effective immediately, all AAF players are authorized to sign with NFL Clubs.
— The Alliance (@TheAAF) April 4, 2019
NFL teams are not permitted to contact players in other leagues, however with the AAF’s operations ceasing, it was expected that teams would begin actively identifying and inquiring about the league’s potential NFL talent, but a report from Yahoo Sports claims that a league-wide memo was sent to all 32 of the NFL’s franchises on Wednesday, discouraging them from contacting the AAF’s players or their agents, for fear of possible litigation.
The spring football league consisted of former collegiate and professional football players – including several former Buccaneers – prior to the AAF suspending all operations in a whirlwind of confusion and dysfunction earlier this week.
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
It was reported that some players were left without lodging, vendors were left unpaid and an email was sent to the league’s staff, informing many of them that their employment would be terminated, effective on Wednesday.
Text of the email that went out to @theAAF personnel a few minutes ago, announcing they’re suspending football operations. pic.twitter.com/KBrL2Wdl4v
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 2, 2019
With the announcement official, outside leagues are now permitted to contact and sign the AAF’s players freely as free agents, and according to the Canadian Football League’s website, the free agent free-for-all has already begun in the CFL.
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