Wednesday, April 15, 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

blake griffin

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.
Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
April 10, 2026

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Apr 8, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu (52) hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at Fenway Park.

Red Sox Say Fans Whiffed With ‘Junk Fees’ Lawsuit

“Plaintiffs were not deceived,” the team argues in a new filing.
NFL: Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders
April 9, 2026

Top Sports Attorneys Command $10M Salaries Amid Poaching Frenzy

“The transfer portal is open for sports lawyers.”
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) fumbles as he is sacked by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) in the second half in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium
April 10, 2026

StubHub to Pay $10M to Settle FTC Case Over NFL Ticket Fees

The company was charged with purposely delaying compliance with a rule.
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
In this photo illustration, a mobile device displays the Kalshi logo while a laptop displays the webpage of the prediction market platform in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 10, 2026. (Photo by Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg/NurPhoto)
April 6, 2026

Court Keeps Kalshi’s Sports Contracts Live in New Jersey

An appeals court handed Kalshi a big preliminary victory.
exclusive
April 4, 2026

Caleb Williams Didn’t Mean to Start an ‘Iceman’ Fight

“It’s all respect” to NBA legend George “Iceman” Gervin, Williams told FOS.
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.
April 2, 2026

Trump Admin Sues 3 States to Block Prediction-Market Regulations

The CFTC filed lawsuits against Illinois, Arizona, and Connecticut.
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.”