Saturday, May 16, 2026
Law

Carolina Hurricanes Owner Sued for Pro Football League’s Demise

  • The AAF ceased operations in April 2019 after filing for bankruptcy.
  • At one point, the startup league was unable to make $5 million worth of first-week player payments.
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The now-defunct Alliance of American Football continues to be dogged by legal disputes. 

Former AAF owner Tom Dundon — who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes — has been sued for at least $184 million by the U.S. trustee overseeing the startup league’s bankruptcy.

The AAF ceased operations in April 2019 after filing for bankruptcy — at one point, it was unable to make $5 million worth of first-week player payments. 

The trustee alleges Dundon shuttered the league despite financial alternatives.  

  • In response to the suit, Dundon has sued Charlie Ebersol, the AAF’s founder, for $70 million.
  • Dundon alleges that he was misled by Ebersol about the AAF’s finances.
  • The Hurricanes owner pledged to invest $250 million in the AAF. 

The complaint filed by the trustee also revealed that the NFL had agreed to a deal with the AAF in exchange for warrants worth 15% of the shuttered league. 

Controversial Investor 

In April, Reginald Fowler — a former investor in the AAF and Minnesota Vikingspleaded guilty to charges related to a $600 million cryptocurrency scheme in a Manhattan federal court. 

Prosecutors alleged that Fowler — who attempted to buy a stake in the AAF using illegally obtained funds — facilitated unregulated transactions on behalf of crypto exchanges.

Fowler originally committed $170 million to the AAF in 2019 and later invested $28 million before it ceased operations, per Action Network.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 13, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) high-fives guard Jrue Holiday (5) while entering the line up to play against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center.
exclusive

Tom Dundon’s Group Buying 80% of Blazers in Deal’s First Phase

Dundon is set to take control of the team before April.
Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball defended by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Garret Wallow (49) and defensive end Keion White (56) during the third quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field.

​​FanDuel Parent Pins Betting Slowdown on Lackluster NFL Season

Flutter Entertainment eyes World Cup as key growth driver.

Welcome to the Prediction-Market Super Bowl

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being traded across many platforms.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) teammates greet him on the sideline against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Busy NFL Coach Cycle Drags Into Super Bowl Week

The Vikings fired GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday.

Featured Today

‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch

Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA;UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks the ball against the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena
March 28, 2026

March Madness Coaches Debate ‘Blueblood’ in NIL Era

The term’s meaning was up for debate at men’s March Madness.
Maxime Vachier Lagrave
March 25, 2026

The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment

Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
Beau Brune/LSU
March 22, 2026

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
The gavel in the Brockton City Council Chambers, which will be used by new City Council President John F. Lally, as seen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Trump Admin Sues 3 States to Block Prediction-Market Regulations

The CFTC filed lawsuits against Illinois, Arizona, and Connecticut.
Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFL line judge Robin DeLorenzo (134) gestures during the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
April 1, 2026

Fired Female NFL Ref Sues League for Unfair Treatment

Robin DeLorenzo is accusing the NFL of gender-based scrutiny.
Oct 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson looks on in the sixth inning between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers during game four of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium
April 2, 2026

Magic Johnson Escapes NFT Investment Scheme Lawsuit

The two sides have reached an “amicable resolution.”
Sponsored

Baseball Is Back: MLB Opening Day Prices Soar

MLB Opening Day ticket prices are at record highs. TickPick data breaks down demand, pricing trends, and where fans are paying the most.
Lululemon at Jordan Creek Towne Center on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in West Des Moines.
March 31, 2026

Customers Sue Lululemon for Piece of Eventual Tariff Refund

The retailer said it was raising prices in June.
March 27, 2026

Bettors Target ‘Microbets’ With Suits Against FanDuel, DraftKings

Plaintiffs’ losses range from $170,000 to more than $1.8 million.
March 26, 2026

New Federal Bill Could Stand in the Way of Bears Move to Indiana

The measure would essentially federalize Ohio’s Modell Law.
March 24, 2026

Frank Thomas Hits White Sox, Nike, and Fanatics With NIL Lawsuit

Thomas claims the companies have sold his jerseys without consent.