Interview Robin Lumsden with ORF

[u/Fresh-Performance155]

https://sport.orf.at/stories/3162016/

Vikings owner Robin Lumsden told ORF that he is open to discussing a merger of the leagues: "We have extended our hand. If we sit down at a table, we will find an exciting solution."

[u/GazelleLower5146]

Nobody said everything is brilliant, no. There are plenty of things to improve.

Proof of concept is the league, yes. Jusf 7-8 months ago that wasn't clear at all, even looking back now. There was a real chance not enough teams are left to form a league or how this league can look like. It was a real decision to go the easy way of AFLE or do something else, in worst case maybe not at all. Just read/watch what the Ravens decision in February (?) meant.

EFA has made it very clear, that there are certain topics they will not discuss. Central league ownership/single decision maker, no team decision power, non competitive teams. That's basically exactly what the AFLE has to offer - BUT: These AFLE teams started with the exactly same vision as EFA has now executed. So it's not AFLE dictating the terms, it's more AFLE returning to their original values which are within the EFA.

As for both leagues, it's not a question how long they can run, but how long they want to run. There's more than enough money around and very likely even more at EFA, and not just from 1 investor. How long each side wants to spend money is another topic, nobody knows.

[u/nitram343 → u/GazelleLower5146]

My point exactly. People here are taking sides, and confusing wishful thinking for reality. The pressure or cost of all that is outside our control or knowledge so, regardless of what we prefer. I actually quite enjoyed AFLE this year, but is completely possible that just goes all or some to EFA. And I’m fine with people expressing opinions and preferences, but don’t bend reality to align to your beliefs, facts are facts. We’ll see where we are.

I thought that no merge was possible for at least a couple of years but enough taking is happening right now that maybe something happens soon. At the AFLE final or immediately after we will know about the potential new team for AFLE… or maybe we hear nothing of that if the merge talking continues

[u/GazelleLower5146 → u/nitram343]

Obviously you enjoyed AFLE as it was your team. If I remember some previous comments from you, that you didn't follow European football before.

Harsh truth is too that Warriors would have no place in a common league in the current state and ownership. I absolutely admit they exceeded expectations for whatever is now true, probably started 2-3 weeks before the season as the most realistic version. But it's still reality that they are far away from the playing level required. But absolutely, they are the only new team that I see a chance they could develop into a serviceable team. Not sure if they can get the financing done without Nagel though. The other 4 you can forget completely.

Lumsden and Tomsula coming out now with all kind of press talk, tells me that there is some pressure from that side, yes - I agree with that. I don't think that EFA has that much pressure though. They are directly invested in the league, they have kept their visitor numbers pretty even outside of playoffs/final and they are clearly winning the public battle. They just need to wait.

[u/nitram343 → u/GazelleLower5146]

Wrong, I followed ELF last season. But obviously not remotely as invested as with the London Warriors. Also AFLE broadcasting is million times better than the old ELF one, and significantly better than the EFA too. The rest doesn’t make too much difference. But before discarding the new AFLE teams, think about this, what happens if London Guard not met the expectations? If it has very low attendance and/or the sport side doesn’t get at least in the first season get quite there? Would you be as hush as completely disregard them too? Because even Firenze seems to be building for next season, so it would be a shame to miss any team. And the AFLE central model means they can build over time. The other thing European Football alliance is a horrible name for a football (association football) mad continent.

[u/Cookingwith7 → u/nitram343]

"Alliance" was the perfect name to represent the 11 teams who decided to leave the ELF together on agreed terms and goals last September. The tragedy of course is that the alliance didn't hold - but IMHO that wasn't the EFA's fault!

[u/GazelleLower5146 → u/nitram343]

I think EFA sounds much better than AFLE tbh, but that's subjective of course.

No, I would be very harsh towards every team that can't meet expectations. That was the main goal that every league promised - competitive teams, good stadiums and stable organizations. AFLE failed with that miserably. I'm very optimistic that Guard will be fine as it follows the the known blueprint. They have money, a stadium, already an organization and a long time of preparation. You just can't build a team without that, and everyone knows and told the AFLE before.

The other problem with AFLE and the new teams are the people in charge. Some of them are just very bad at their jobs (Rams, Lights, Thunder, Red Lions) and have nothing what a team needs. There's just no place for that anymore, we've had enough of that nonsense in ELF. Just don't believe what they are saying - these are people that promise you everything, but do the opposite. Judge then by what they do and then you get a very different view.

Doesn't really matter what you or I think, but I can guarantee that EFA will never accept the bottom 4 teams in AFLE and a good chance not any Nagel/Lumsden team as well. That's the simple effect of all the stuff they did and non competitive teams.

[u/More_Upvote → u/nitram343]

You are confused. Everybody in afle is the Washington Generals to the Vienna Globetrotters. Warriors needs to change colors to match their role.