Should The XFL And AAF “Merge”?

There’s a lot of talk about how the XFL should proceed now that the sale is being finalized. Much of which still carries speculation of teams being relocated to different cities. Cities that used to be homes of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) have been in these discussions.

So, the question we’re asking is, should the XFL put exiting teams in those cities, or should they “merge” with the AAF.

Ownership of what is left of the now-defunct league (AAF) is a bit murky. The MLFB bought all of the football-related equipment, but the intellectual property doesn’t seem to actually have an owner.

When the AAF folded, they didn’t file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy like Alpha did, they filed what’s called Chapter 7. The difference is that Chapter 11 is used for restructuring debt, or selling the business-assets and debt-as a whole.

In Chapter 7, the business is sold in pieces. And bidders buy up whatever it is being sold, similar to any other auction out there.

So, what does this mean? Well, for starters, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), all of the trademarks for team names and logos from the AAF were abandoned in late 2019, and listed as “DEAD”.

Each division had its own filers, and separate lawyers listed for those filings. The West Division had Sharon R Smith representing Revolutionary Adventures, LLC, and the East Division had Rochelle Alpert representing the Historical Technologies, LLC.

All TMs for the names and logos from the AAF seem like they’re open for business. That process, however, isn’t an easy one. According to the man known by some as the Trademark Hog for his ownership of several options for the NFL’s Washington Football Team to use as new branding has told us, it can take up to 7 months for an application for a TM to process.

That’s if there is no objections filed. If there are, it could take longer.

All of this though, the process, and potential legal fees that would be involved, the fans have shown they would love to see the AAF names back in lights.

A “merger” would reignite many who didn’t make the jump to the XFL after the Alliance folded. Cities like Birmingham, San Antonio, Orlando, and San Diego have all have been in water-cooler discussions about hosting a team.

For me, I would love to see the Iron resurrected. I think having XFL teams in those AAF locations, with those AAF names and uniforms would be a monster move for the XFL.

One that could increase fans enough to make the cost worth it. But it’s gonna take time.

Let’s get 2021 kicked off first. And get back to the game we love.