Former Stallions President Speaks On AAF Collapse

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Just days after the Alliance of American Football suspended operations, former Salt Lake Stallions president Tyler Howell appeared on KSL’s Unrivaled to discuss the recent turn of events.

Speaking to hosts Alex Kirry and Cleon Wall, Howell shared that the league’s decision to end the season prematurely came as just as big of a shock to the team operations side as it did to the players.

The rumors came first and then the final confirmation from the league arrived later in the day on Tuesday, according to Howell.

While Howell broke the news to the business side of the franchise, general manager Randy Mueller let the players know of the league’s fate.

#ReinDown | #FullSteedAhead pic.twitter.com/pEaA0jdZ9D

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) April 3, 2019

As for why the league, led by chairman Tom Dundon, decided to close up shop early, it’s a mystery to Howell.

“I really have no idea why it went down like that,” said Howell. “I do have theories, but it’s all speculation. I would love to have a conversation with Tom at some point, to have him explain the logic and why this happened the why it did because I’m sure in all the rumors, there’s a little bit of truth.”

Obviously saddened by the Dundon’s decision, Howell felt like had the right finance people been in place that the AAF could have been successful, even in Salt Lake where the attendance was the lowest in the league.

Thank you Salt Lake City. #FullSteedAhead pic.twitter.com/eMOWtgyZTo

— Salt Lake Stallions (@aafstallions) April 3, 2019

“As we were building this, everybody knew we weren’t going to make money the first couple of years,” explained Howell, who continued to say that a five-year plan was in place when he first took the job.

One notable victim of the AAF’s collapse was linebacker Gionni Paul. The former University of Utah star broke his arm in the Stallions’ last game. After the league halted operations, Paul was left to fend for himself with regards to his medical bills.

Reading this the last couple of days has made me sick….to all the Utah former players, please DM me to see if there is anything I or Utah Athletics can do to help. ( I have not read the Stallions doing this to their players, hope not) Shame on the leadership of the AAF https://t.co/uP57WprHVB

— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) April 5, 2019

For that, Howell says he feels terrible, but there is little that he is able to do to help.

“I feel for Gionni and the other guys that put it out on the line to give us a really good product and make the city proud,” said Howell.

All in all, Howell is disappointed with the way things turned out for the Stallions and the AAF.

“I think we really had a chance to build this,” he lamented.

KSL’s Unrivaled is aired weekdays on KSL NewsRadio from 7-9 p.m. Highlights are available for listening on KSLSports.com in the podcasts section.