'96 Chronology-Negotiation Lists

Event Date: March 10th, 1996

Event Description: Negotiation Lists

Source: League Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All American Football League Reveals Team Negotiation Lists

The All American Football League (AAFL) has officially unveiled the team negotiation lists, showcasing a pool of talent ripe for the picking. As franchises meticulously strategize their player acquisitions, fans can expect a thrilling season ahead. The negotiations promise to bring together a formidable array of skill and experience, setting the stage for an intensely competitive and captivating AAFL season.

For media inquiries or more information about the All American Football League, please contact:

All American Football League

401 Eighth Avenue West

Birmingham, Alabama

(205) 322-7883

About the All American Football League (AAFL):

The All American Football League (AAFL) is a newly established professional football league, committed to delivering top-tier football action to fans across the United States. Led by USFL founders Jim Speros and Art Williams, the league aims to embrace the rich tradition of American football while exploring innovative approaches to enhance the fan experience. Stay tuned for updates on team announcements, schedules, and other exciting developments.

'96 Chronology-Signing Period

Event Date: March 8th, 1996

Event Description: Free Agent Prep

Source: Nashville Sports Daily

Memphis Mad Dogs' General Manager Steve Ehrhart said he and his staff were busy preparing for the upcoming All American Football League free agency period.

Ehrhart said that on March 10th, the eight AAFL teams will submit their negotiations lists to the league office.

League rules state that teams can claim exclusive rights for up to 20 players by placing them on their negotiations list. Those players can be signed, removed or traded at any time.

Ehrhart said teams will also give the league a list of college players from “territorial rights players” with whom the clubs will have exclusive negotiating rights. The college draft pool will be held the following week on March 18th. 

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Second Chances

Event Date: March 7th, 1996

Event Description: Stallions Sign Manley

Source: Houston Sports Chronicle

The Houston Stallions of the new All American Football League signed defensive end Dexter Manley to a one-year contract after a series of workouts.

The 14-year former NFL and CFL veteran defensive end spent nine seasons with the Washington Redskins. Manley played in the Pro Bowl in 1986 and was a two-time Super Bowl winner with the Redskins.

Manley, 38, also played for the Phoenix Cardinals, Tampa Bay Bucs and the Ottawa Rough Riders and Shreveport Pirates of the CFL. 

His signing brings the Stallions roster to 24 players. Play begins in late May.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Subdivisions

Event Date: March 5th, 1996

Event Description: A.A.F.L. Alignment

Source: League Office

The All American Football League Board of Directors announced the divisional makeup for its inaugural season.

The eight teams will play in two separate divisions. The East division will include Miami, Memphis, Birmingham and New Orleans. The West division will consist of Houston, San Antonio, Las Vegas, and Sacramento.

Each team will play a fourteen game schedule and will face each of their division and non-division opponents twice.

The league schedule will be released in the upcoming days.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Crash Course

Event Date: March 4th, 1996

Event Description: Jensen Returns

Source: PFW

Jim "Crash" Jensen, one of the most versatile players in the NFL during a 12-year career, has signed a one year deal with the new Miami Manatees of the All American Football League.

Jensen ranks eighth on the Dolphins' all-time receiving list. During his NFL career, he played quarterback, fullback, running back, tight end and center on long snaps. He earned his nickname for his reckless style of play on special teams. 

A former star quarterback at Boston University, also played in the Arena League with the Miami Hooters.

The team also announced the signing of former University of Pittsburgh pivot John Congemi. Congemi has played seven seasons in the CFL with Toronto, Ottawa and Baltimore. 

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Major Promotion

Event Date: March 4th, 1996

Event Description: Stallions Sign Major

Source: PFW

Former West Virginia quarterback Major Harris signed with the Houston Stallions of the All American Football League.

Harris signed a two-year contract with the Stallions, just days after attending a league tryout camp.

Harris left West Virginia after his junior season. In three years as a starter, he passed for 5,173 yards and rushed for 2,161 to set a school record for 7,334 yards of total offense. 

Harris’s pro experience includes stints with the B.C. Lions of the CFL in 1990 and three seasons with the Cleveland Thunderbolts of the Arena League. Harris spent last season with the West Virginia Lightning of the National Minor Football League.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Round Up

Event Date: March 3rd, 1996

Event Description: Posse Sign Rosenbach

Source: Reno Journal

The Las Vegas Posse signed free agent quarterback Timm Rosenbach to a two-year contract over the weekend.

Rosenbach, a first round pick out of Washington State in the 1989 supplemental draft, spent four years with the Cardinals before signing with the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1994. 

Rosenbach, 29, has passed for 5,759 yards with 26 touchdowns and 34 interceptions over the course of his career.

The Posse have also brought back third-year man Len Williams and have added former USC pivot Todd Marinovich to their negotiation list.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Mighty Mouse

Event Date: March 1st, 1996

Event Description: Texans  Land Mouse

Source: Lone Star Daily

The San Antonio Texans of the new All American Football League Tuesday named Darrel “Mouse” Davis as their new head football coach.

The announcement was made by team president Tom Benson at a morning news conference. 

The 63-year-old Davis returns to the head coaching ranks after spending the previous two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons astheir quarterback coach. 

Davis, the architect of the Run and Shoot offense, has succeeded at both the collegiate and professional ranks.  

Davis coached at Portland State and California before moving to the U.S. Football League where he was the offensive coordinator for the Houston Gamblers and head coach of the Denver Gold. 

Davis has had pro stops with the Detroit Lions, New York-New Jersey Knights of the WLAF and the Toronto Argonauts.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Workout Warriors

Event Date: March 1st, 1996

Event Description: AAFL Holds Tryout

Source: Parish Picayune

More than 400 hopefuls showed up Saturday to try out for the new All American Football League.

“We expected about 200,” said Jim Speros, chief operating officer of the Houston team. 'The turnout was notable and the quality of players was better than expected."

Notable player who showed up at the Super Dome included Major Harris, a former CFL and Arena League pivot who played at West Virginia, ex-NFL running backs Eddie Fuller and Gill Fenerty, former LSU wideout Tony Moss.

Of the 400 plus players who came to be tested for agility and speed, 50 to 75 will be signed and invited to training camps. Speros said more tryout camps would be held across the United States and Canada in the coming days.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Player Tryouts

Event Date: March 1st-3rd, 1996

Event Description: Player Tryouts

Source: League Office

'96 Chronology-Home Coming

Event Date: February 27th, 1996

Event Description: Manatees Hire Strock

Source: Football Focus

Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Don Strock will coach the Miami franchise of the fledgling All American Football League, team officials said today.

Strock played 15 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and two more with Cleveland and Indianapolis, before retiring in 1989. Strock was a popular part-time starter with the Dolphins under coach Don Shula.

His previous coaching experience includes stints in the Arena League with the Miami Hooters and Massachusetts Marauders and as the offensive coordinator with the Rhein Fire of NFL Europe.

“I am excited to be given the opportunity to return to Miami as a head coach.” Strock said. 

“The league has some real stable people behind it. They're legitimate people, and the owners are looking to build a successful franchise here in south Florida, and I really want to be part of that. I think there's room for two pro leagues. There are a lot of players out there who just need a chance to prove themselves. I think this is a great opportunity.”

Principal owner Bruce Frey said, “Don is a quality guy, he was our choice from the very first.” The team would not reveal terms of his contract except to say that it is a multi-year deal.

Frey said the new team will be concentrating on recruiting Florida players. “I think in three to four years, we'll be competitive with the other leagues.” 

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Stephenson Returns

Event Date: February 26th, 1996

Event Description: Press Release

Source: Sacramento Gold Miners

For Immediate Release

The Sacramento Gold Miners of the All American Football League proudly announce the appointment of Kay Stephenson as their head coach.

Stephenson brings a wealth of NFL, World League and CFL coaching experience to the franchise. Stephenson's strategic prowess and commitment to player development align flawlessly with ownerships vision for the team. 

The team anticipates a season of positive growth under Stephenson's leadership, confident in the positive impact he will bring to Sacramento football.

For media inquiries or more information about the Sacramento Gold Miners, please contact:

Owner: Fred Anderson

Team President: Tom Bass

Address: 600 J Street, Sacramento, California

Telephone Number: 916-383-Gold

'96 Chronology-The Man in Black

Event Date: February 25th, 1996

Event Description: Stallions Hire Glanville

Source: Houston Daily Chronicle

The Houston Stallions of the All American Football League hired Jerry Glanville, the flamboyant former coach of the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers, as head football coach. 

Glanville compiled a 28-38 record with the Falcons and a 35-35 mark with the Oilers. He will replace Don Matthews who is returning to the Canadian League after the demise of the Baltimore franchise.

"When we started this process, we were looking for a coach who would take us to the next level in two areas: winning championships and playing an exciting brand of football that would put people in the stands," said Stallions owner Jim Speros. "I think Jerry is a perfect fit for the style of offense that we hope to implement in Houston.”

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Crazy Eights

Event Date: February 24th, 1996

Event Description: Grid League Lineup Set

Source: Football News

Football News is reporting that the newly formed All American Football League will field teams in San Antonio and Sacramento.

The weekly newsletter said Tom Benson, who was once a minority owner of the New Orleans Saints, will purchase the San Antonio Texans franchise from Fred Anderson. Anderson will then return to his California roots and place a team in Sacramento. 

Anderson, who once owned the Sacramento Surge of the World League, has said that he has received assurances from local community leaders that the city will approve a plan to refurbish Hornet Stadium.

League commissioner John Ralston said the other AAFL franchises will be located in Miami, Birmingham, Houston, Memphis, Las Vegas, and New Orleans.

more to come......

'96 Chronology- South Bound

Event Date: February 22nd, 1996

Event Description: Frey Eyes Franchise

Source: Sun Times

A group of investors from Miami has formally applied for a franchise in the new All American Football League officials announced yesterday.

Miami developer Bruce Frey heads the group for the prospective franchise, which would play its games in the 74,000-seat Orange Bowl.  The new south Florida team will be called the Manatees and proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to local charities.

Frey had previously shown interest in purchasing the Las Vegas franchise, but those plans fell through when a rival group led by singer Jimmy Buffett purchased the rights to a team there.

League commissioner John Ralston will be meeting with local officials and investors later in the week. If Miami is approved, it would become the A.A.F.L.'s sixth franchise.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Back in the Saddle

Event Date: February 20th, 1996

Event Description: Buffett Gambles on New League

Source: Silver State News

The new All American  Football League has awarded a franchise to Las Vegas to begin play this year.

The major partners in the Las Vegas franchise are business mogul Wiliam Collins and singer Jimmy Buffett, working in concert with a group of investors from Nevada and California.

“I am very pleased to welcome pro football back to the city of Las Vegas,” said league commissioner John Ralston.  “Under the new leadership of Mr. Collins, Mr. Buffett and their group, I expect the Las Vegas franchise to be competitive at the outset.”

Ralston said the group finalized the sale of the Posse franchise from owner Nick Mileti. The Posse were on hiatus last season after making their debut in the C.F.L. in 1994.

The new owners did not disclose any information regarding their front office. However, the owners did say that they have had substantive conversations with former head coach Ron Meyer about returning to the team.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Public Support

Event Date: February 18th, 1996

Event Description: Dixon Backs New Grid League

Source: Gulf Coast Times

NEW ORLEANS -- A community-owned football team run by local fans will join the All American Football League said New Orleans based antique collector David Dixon. 

Dixon was the founder of the now defunct U.S. Football League as well as helping to guide the building of the Superdome. He has also been working to form a fan owned football league since the demise of the USFL in the late 1980’s.

Dixon said he has secured the rights to the Shreveport Pirates franchise from their previous owners, and that the new team will keep the name, colors and logo albeit with some modifications. 

“This will be revolutionary in sports. It will be the first truly community-owned football team in the United States.” Public ownership of the club would give local residents a greater voice in controlling the team according to Dixon.

Dixon said he soon will begin selling shares in the Pirates franchise and the club could will join the league this year if the response from fans is supportive.

Dixon rejected the notion that New Orleans might not support two football teams. The USFL’s Breakers had tremendous fan support until the league decided to move to a fall season.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Filling a Void

Event Date: February 17th, 1996

Event Description: Speros Heads West

Source: Daily Union

The owner of the Baltimore Stallions, enticed by a proposal from local business and government leaders, said his team will move to Houston for the inaugural season of the fledgling All American Football League.

“The Stallions will play in Houston in 1996,” said owner Jim Speros. “As of today, I am ending all talks involved in playing in other locations, including the city of Montreal.”

Speros had said he was considering offers to move the former CFL club to Montreal, but decided to go with the other American owners and join the A.A.F.L. 

“I can't say enough about the support that we have received from local leaders from the business community as well as the administration.”

The announcement came in a news conference in the office of Mayor Bob Lanier, who spent much of the last month negotiating with Speros to move the team. The city previously lost the Houston Oilers who are moving to Tennessee.

The A.A.F.L. has now officially established teams in Birmingham, Memphis, and Houston.  

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Back Jack, Do It Again

Event Date: February 16th, 1996

Event Description: Pardee Will Return

Source: Birmingham Chronicle

Former Houston Oilers coach Jack Pardee will again coach in Birmingham, but this time he will be part of the fledgling All American Football League.

Pardee spent last season with the Birmingham Barracudas, who were then part of the Canadian Football League. That league severed ties with their American based teams earlier this year.

Pardee coached the Oilers from 1990 until 1994, when he replaced by Jeff Fisher. Houston made the playoffs in each of Pardee's first four seasons. He was head coach of the Chicago Bears and Washington Redskins and has a career NFL record of 87-77. 

Pardee also was the head coach of the Florida Blazers, of the World Football League, the Houston Gamblers, of the United States Football League and the University of Houston.

more to come......

'96 Chronology-Mission Organization

 

'96 Chronology-Head Man

Event Date: February 14th, 1996

Event Description: Ralston Will Lead New Grid League

Source: Football News

SAN FRANCISCO -- John Ralston is back in professional football.

Today, it was announced Ralston had been named commissioner of the fledgling All American Football League. Terms of his agreement were not disclosed except that he had signed a two-year deal.

“I'm happy to be back in pro football,” Ralston said at the news conference announcing his signing.

Ralston grew up in Oakland, played football at the University of Califorina and served as head coach at Stanford for nine years, leading the Cardinals to Rose Bowl victories in 1971 and 1972. He left Stanford to serve as head coach and general manager of the Denver Broncos. 

Ralston has also coached in the USFL and Canadian league with Toronto. In more recent years, he served as head coach of the San Jose State Spartans.

The new league is still in the process of confirming its final lineup of eight cities. However, it has been confirmed that clubs will be based in Memphis, Birmingham, San Antonio, and most likely Houston. The league has also received applications from ownership groups in Miami, Las Vegas, Oakland, New Orleans, Shreveport, and Portland.

The former Canadian based teams will also have to deal with the process of renewing and securing player contracts as many players became free agents on January 1st.

'96 Chronology-Inception

Event Date: February 12th, 1996

Event Description: Vataha Announces New Grid League

Source: Football Report

The All American Football League, an entity born after the demise of the American based teams from the Canadian Football League, was unveiled yesterday with plans to begin play in eight cities this year.

“We've taken football and put it into a corporate structure. That's something nobody has done before,” said Randy Vataha, the Boston based businessman who is putting the league together with the aid of former USFL founder David Dixon, as well as owners from the now defunct CFL-USA franchises.

“We will be a single-entity structure -- everything is controlled through the league office and we'll have a revenue-sharing program. If we draw 20,000 a game, we can break even just on ticket sales.” 

A.A.F.L. franchises have been approved for Memphis, Birmingham, Houston, New Orleans and San Antonio. Each franchise will have a strict budget and salary cap. The average salary in the league is expected to be around $45,000. 

In addition, the AAFL plans to utilize a regional concept in allocating players, so that college stars can play close to the area in which they attended school.

John Ralston, a former NFL and USFL head coach and executive who will serve as the league commissioner, said "ownership groups are in place in the Bay Area and Miami, with two other applicants waiting for final approval."

“We will play in mostly warm weather markets that want football based on American-style rules and that have a yearning for professional football,' said Art Williams, owner of the Birmingham Barracudas franchise.

Also committing to the new league were Jim Speros owner of the Stallions franchise, Steve Ehrhart president of the Memphis club, and Fred Anderson formerly of the WLAF and CFL. 

more to come......