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Vikings and Raiders withdraw from the ELF – what now?
The Vienna Vikings and ten other teams are leaving the European League of Football to build a new league with a better structure.
Vikings and Raiders withdraw from the ELF – what now?
The Vienna Vikings have just announced a far-reaching step: the traditional team will be leaving the European League of Football (ELF). This happens within a comprehensive declaration by eleven teams, including the Raiders Tirol. According to MyDistrict This move is seen as crucial to the long-term health and stability of American football in Europe.
The reasons for the exit are varied. Financial instability, a seemingly blurred level of transparency and numerous contractual violations have led to this drastic measure. The affected teams, which together form the European Football Alliance (EFA), are calling for fundamental changes and a governance structure modeled on the successful NFL. As a result, teams such as Stuttgart, Rhein Fire and the Wroclaw Panthers also ended their participation in the ELF.
The league's reactions
The ELF has reacted to the withdrawals and emphasized that it still has a valid contractual relationship with 11 of the former 16 franchises. In a statement, the league promised to remain in dialogue with the clubs in order to promote a constructive exchange. Kicker reports that the ELF remains optimistic about offering professional football again in 2026 and is currently in discussions with new interested parties.
However, the situation is tense: the alliance, consisting of eleven clubs, sharply criticizes the league. A lack of transparency in contracts and the distribution of profits gives the impression of unprofessional structures within the ELF. In particular, the leadership around CEO Zeljko Karajica and co-founder Patrick Esume, which has been criticized, is facing a wave of accusations ranging from poor communication to infrastructural deficiencies. Sports show highlights that the league has grown to 16 teams since its inception in 2020, but is still unable to show a positive financial result.
A new plan for the future
The EFA has set itself the goal of establishing a modern league that operates sustainably and transparently. The structure of the NFL should serve as a model. Those responsible assure that professional league operations are aimed for by 2026. The alliance's teams, which include the Vikings and Raiders Tirol, have already stated that their plans are set to create a viable league.
It remains exciting to see how developments in the European League of Football and the new European Football Alliance will continue to unfold. Fans can look forward to what's next as teams and the league itself prepare for a period of potential change.