Off to a good start for the AAF
TV ratings higher than premier NBA game in the regular season
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — So far, so good.
The Alliance of American Football drew predominantly rave reviews on its debut weekend, garnering higher TV ratings on opening night than a premier regular-season NBA game, trending high on social media and landing its mobile app at the top of itunes and Google Play’s free sports download chart.
Hopes were high for the first-year league. But as with most startup professional football ventures, skepticism was also lofty, even among some within the organization, which put each of its first four games on CBS, CBS Sports Network and the NFL Network. Justin Tuck, a former New York Giants Pro Bowler and a member of the AAF’S advisory board, admitted he tempered his own expectations.
“But we were pleasantly surprised by the product on the field this weekend,” said Tuck, who was on hand for the Birmingham Iron’s 26-0 win over the Memphis Express at Legion Field. “The feedback we’re getting is really, really great. I think the number was something like 11 of the top 20 trending
topics was about our league on Twitter and social media. That’s a good first weekend.
“For us to have the type of success we had these last two days, I think we’re all really happy about that.”
Sports business reporter Darren Rovell reported Sunday the AAF’S first two games (the San Diego Fleet at the San Antonio Commanders, and the Atlanta Legends at the Orlando Apollos), which both aired on CBS, reached a 2.1 overnight rating. Meanwhile, a matchup between the NBA’S two most recent MVPS (James Harden’s Rockets and Russell Westbrook’s Thunder) aired on ABC and reached a 2.0.
“This was an incredible opening weekend for The Alliance, in which the quality of play and fan support far exceeded my expectations,” Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO of the AAF, said in a press release.
The AAF is not without its detractors. Some have already written the league off as a subpar, minor league to the NFL. ESPN’S Kirk Herbstreit called it “so JV” before adding “Don’t think it has legs,” in a post on Twitter.
But Ebersol’s fellow co-founder, Bill Polian, said he was proud of the level of play on the field.
“We wanted to put a quality product on the field, and I’m proud of what was on display this weekend,” Polian said in a press release.
“We saw big plays on both sides of the ball and I loved the intensity the players showed. There are areas that certainly need to be improved, but that’s why we have high-caliber coaches on the sidelines, to help our players learn, grow and improve on and off the field.”
One of those coaches, the Express’ Mike Singletary was also impressed.
“I saw some of the highlights and I thought it was some pretty good football all around,” he said. “The competition level is high and it’ll continue to get better.”
Tuck, who won a pair of Super Bowls with the Giants, said the AAF’S opening weekend was not flawless.
“We’ve still got some things to work on. Still got some bumps that we need to clear out,” he said. “But we’re going to continue to walk this thing forward. This is a long process. We’re not trying to hit a home run overnight. We know it’s a lot of steps to get where we want to be.”
Play resumes Saturday when the Iron host the Salt Lake Stallions at 1 p.m., and the Express welcomes the Arizona Hotshots to Memphis at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the Apollos travel to San Antonio for a 3 p.m. start, while the Legends make the trip to San Diego for a 7 p.m. game.