Ratings, downloads indicate Alliance of American Football debut a success

Sports fans want to watch football in February – that’s the indication from Night 1 of the Alliance of American Football.

The new professional football league, which embraces its role as a potential feeder league to the NFL, debuted Saturday night with two games shown regionally on CBS in primetime. The new league appears to be off to a strong start as the ratings beat out the NBA on ABC (Houston vs. Oklahoma City). The league’s app was also No. 1 among sports apps in both Apple’s app store and Google Play (Android) on Sunday morning.

Four AAF teams were in action Saturday night. The Orlando Apollos, coached by SEC legend Steve Spurrier, won at home, defeating the Atlanta Legends 40-6. The San Antonio Commanders defeated the San Diego Fleet 15-6. The AAF’s Week 1 action continues Sunday with the Memphis Express at the Birmingham Iron (4 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network) and Salt Lake Stallions at Arizona Hotshots (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network).

Hell of a night last night for ⁦@TheAAF⁩. Here’s the top sports apps right now in the Apple store. #1 in Google Play for Android as well. Need to work out some issues with app, but on-field play was surprising last night. pic.twitter.com/Gxka16C9pt

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 10, 2019

Sources: In its debut night last night, @theaaf beat the NBA on ABC in head-to-head overnight ratings:

AAF Games (2 games, 1 per market): 2.1

Houston-OKC game: 2.0

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 10, 2019

How much do Americans like football? The first game of the AAF on CBS beat the NBA on ABC nationwide in overnight ratings.

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) February 10, 2019

The fact that a low-level football league with no stars and no real sizzle would draw a bigger audience than the NBA in a head-to-head three-letter network competition is stunning.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 10, 2019

Featured image via @MichaelWaddell_