The AAF's first championship game will no longer be held in Las Vegas on April 27th, as originally planned. Instead, the game will now be played in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas -- a 12,000 seat facility owned and operated by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The facility is currently shared with the Cowboys, the city of Frisco and the Frisco Independent School District.
A statement from the AAF cited Jones' close relationship with the AAF as a primary force behind moving the game. Jones was seen at the
NFL combine wearing an AAF hat.
"The Alliance has built a foundation of high-quality football, revolutionary technology and world-class partnerships with the NFL, CBS and Turner Sports," said Jerry Jones, owner, president and general manager, Dallas Cowboys. "It was only natural that we at the Cowboys organization would want to join that great group of partners. I have always believed that our great game of football could use a league to give players the shot they needed to make it to the NFL, and Bill Polian, Tom Dundon and Charlie Ebersol, have done just that. We are proud to be able to host their inaugural Championship Game."
"Since joining The Alliance, I've ignited a mission to accelerate the growth of our league in its next phase as a complementary developmental league for the NFL and its players," said Tom Dundon, control owner and chairman, The Alliance. "Our commitment to the three Alliance stars, the fans, players, and the game, were at the forefront of our decision to move the game to this magnificent facility."
Charlie Ebersol, co-founder & CEO, The Alliance, said, "We are eternally grateful to the people and city of Las Vegas as well as Las Vegas Events and the LVCVA for their early support and confidence in what we have created. Not only is Las Vegas the home of our investor and world-class partner, MGM Resorts International, Vegas is the undisputed mecca for live events. While we won't play our championship game in Vegas this year, we will still be offering a one-of-a-kind experience for Alliance fans in Las Vegas during our Championship weekend."
"Jerry Jones isn't just a close friend of Tom, Charlie and mine, but he is also a great supporter of our league," said Bill Polian, head of football, The Alliance. "To be able to showcase our brand of top-flight football on NFL Draft weekend in the state-of-the-art football facility built by Jerry is a Texas-sized win for our league. Texas has played a huge support role in the launch of The Alliance. Our San Antonio Commanders average nearly 30,000 in attendance for home games, and we are sure football fans in Dallas/Fort Worth will support our Championship."
The decision to move the game from Vegas is interesting, to say the least. The AAF has been open about is relationship with betting and one of its key investors is MGM Resorts International. Going from Sam Boyd Stadium in Vegas to the Ford Center is a big drop in seating capacity, as well -- three times, in fact, from 36,000 to 12,000.
However, Frisco is far more centralized for the entire AAF landscape. Additionally, the DFW area has been a mecca for football events, from the Cowboys to
college football bowl/championship games and high school championship games.
Fans who purchased tickets to the game at Las Vegas' Sam Boyd Stadium will receive full refunds. Tickets for the 2019 Alliance Championship will go on sale Thursday, March 28 at 10 am ET on
AAF.com. Ticket prices will range between $15 and $99.
The Alliance Championship, which was originally scheduled to be played in Las Vegas, will be broadcast on CBS in primetime on Saturday, April 27 at 8 pm ET.