This is the AAL: A First Hand Account
For nearly the last decade, the arena style of play has been without a top league. While the indoor side has seen new additions and their own “king” rise to the top, many, along with myself, wondered when another arena league would come along to take the reins.
A few have popped up, some already gone and others hanging around but continuing the same unstable pattern. However, a few years ago the idea for a new league came about. The league, in name only, had surfaced in the past but never reached its full potential.
After a change in ownership and a new logo (much better this time around), the American Arena League was truly born. The idea was the same as all the others: make an arena football league that will last.
Something new about the same goal everyone has been chasing since the sport’s inception for this group was actually making sustainability the primary goal. Yes, leagues in the past have focused on this, but when push came to shove, they would take seemingly any team with the entrance fee. The idea was that teams would come in time, and that seeing a solid foundation was always left feeling optional.
Insert the AAL for the 2026 season. Kicking off the league’s first season with four solid teams: the Bearcats, Lions, Wolfpack, and Miners. They completed an entire season without a single team even having issues, let alone not completing the year. As the regular season went on, fans started taking notice and weekly viewership rose steadily.
By the end of the 2026 season, expansion teams were already being announced. That would be far from the end of new teams joining AAL; however, in total, the league will field 12 teams for 2027.
Large growth from one year to the next is not unheard of in this sport. Adding this many teams, having them all sound, and making sense geographically is. Teams are both local to each other for closer travel yet still spread out enough to cover a large footprint. Split into two divisions (East and West), this year is expected to be a competitive season with talent spread out throughout the league.
My Experiences with the AAL
My first look at the AAL was optimistic. The mission statement followed suit; they had solid teams that were well established in the sport, and they had arena football experience in league leadership. Then the opportunity came to be a part of their draft, the first-ever U.S. arena football draft.
To say I was nervous is an understatement; it was not just because of the event. Beforehand, while setting up and getting to know AJ Roque, Roger Beck, and Kevin O’Hanlon more, it cemented early for me that this league’s foundation was built right. The want for stability, top-level execution across the league, and for every move to make sense. I didn’t want to do anything wrong to make them look bad, because they had something cooking.
Fast forward to this off-season and I’ve already had the pleasure of being at two events. The Bearcats’ new arena and logo announcement was another opportunity to talk about how the league was going after a completed season. Of course, the appearance of David Ross was big and just added to the excitement in the room.
Another announcement, this one a surprise, was the official statement of Roger Beck joining league ownership. Coupling his business expertise with years of arena/indoor football experience for AJ Roque and their joint passion for the sport, it shows nothing short of good things to come.
AAL League Meetings
Most recently, being invited (thank you again, Commissioner O’Hanlon) to the annual league meeting was another opportunity to cover the AAL and meet all the new teams. Whether it was the team owner, GM, or coach, it was such a great atmosphere. The collective energy of excitement for what lay ahead was obvious. Every single individual there was a pleasure to meet, and some great conversations took place as well.
While I WILL NOT discuss any specifics out of respect and for privacy reasons, one thing I can confirm is the league is being run top-notch, and no corners are being cut. The AAL is a professional league and acts accordingly in their process.
I have been watching this sport for over 25 years, and this may be the best league in terms of follow-through from the start. I, along with many other long-time fans, want the sport to get back to being recognized nationally, and in terms of interest, the indoor side is catching on. The AAL is the best chance; I think the arena side currently has to last for many years to come.
This is the AAL.
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