Fred Girard The Detroit News
The All American Football League, already so financially strapped it has postponed its first year of operations, is being sued for nearly $1 million by Ford Field for cancelled dates.
Six teams, including one in Michigan, were scheduled to begin training last week, and to begin a 10-week season in April. On March 13, however, officials at the League's Atlanta headquarters announced plans were being out off until next year, in large part due to the national economic downturn.
According to documents filed Tuesday in federal court in Detroit, the AAFL leased Ford Field for five home games at a rate of $200,000 per date, after paying a deposit of $75,000. The lawsuit asks for the remainder of the $1 million, plus 18 percent annual interest.
Officials at AAFL did not respond to telephone messages and e-mails requesting comment.
The league was intended to feature former college players who had played out their eligibility and received a degree. Former Wolverine player Stan Edwards, father of Browns and former U-M wide receiver Braylon Edwards, is president of Team Michigan.