League players are not paid during the season and most of them are primarily amateurs, instead cash prizes are awarded to the tournament winners.

Its first official game was an exhibition played between Team Vick (led by former NFL quarterback Michael Vick) and Team Owens (led by former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens) on June 27, 2017,[4] at PayPal Park in San Jose, California and was broadcast live on the league's website and rebroadcast on their official YouTube channel,[5][6] The AFFL also had plans to have eight league-owned teams ready to kick off for an inaugural season in 2018.

[13][14] In March 2023 the AFFL pushed the league starting date to 2024, after failing to secure additional owners, franchises and playing locations on time.

[15] In October 2023 the AFFL announced the league will launch on Saturday, April 27, 2024, with four-teams eight-week season.

[23][24] The AFFL's pro men's league plan to pay players $1,000 a week, plus travel and away game expenses.

[13] Source:[28] In 2018, the league reached a broadcast deal with NFL Network, covering the final 11 games of the U.S. Open of Football tournament.