ELF THREATENS LEGAL ACTION AGAINST EFA DEFECTORS
Just over a fortnight ago, the European professional football landscape appeared to be taking new shape, with the nascent European Football Alliance announcing that ‘at least’ 10 teams would compete in its inaugural season, and the jilted European League of Football licking its wounds while insisting that it too would remain a viable entity
Bound by a desire to strengthen cooperation among the continent’s leading franchises, while simultaneously enhancing operational standards and sustainable development, the EFA confirmed that its 10 competitive members — Raiders Tirol were left on the outside looking in when the announcement was made — were no longer bound by ELF franchise agreements, which either expire at the end of the calendar year or have been terminated ‘for cause’.
The ELF, of course, has a very different view on things.
Having defiantly matched the EFA’s initial claim that it would be pushing ahead with 11 teams for 2026 by stating that it too had 11 teams lined up for next season, the ELF has come out and alleged breach of contract, insisting that legal action was the most likely course of action against those teams aligning with the EFA. While it accepts that some franchises have ‘contracts valid until December 31, 2025’, the ELF also claims that some teams are bound to it ‘until 2030’, and intends to prove that the reasons for those contracts to be terminated ‘for cause’ are invalid.
Moreover, a statement seen by German publication Welt insists that several of the biggest names intending to jump ship would not be able to do so under their current identity as trademarked former NFL Europe names such as Rhein Fire, Berlin Thunder and Frankfurt Galaxy were sublicensed by the ELF from the NFL and do not belong to the teams themselves.
“The ELF was founded in 2020 with the clear vision of elevating American football to a new level in Europe,” the statement emphasises. “Differences in direction are not uncommon in a growth process, but do not justify the dissolution of established structures that have been successfully built over the years.
“Currently, all franchises that have joined the EFA are violating their current franchise agreements and, in some cases, their shareholder status. The damage already incurred and [which] will continue to be caused by the breach of contract by the franchises that have joined the EFA is enormous. The ELF will exhaust all contractual and legal options to safeguard its interests and protect the league.”
The ELF, which insists that it intends to add new franchises to its roster, also claims that a new deal has been put to all existing teams, including those under the EFA umbrella, promising improved ‘transparency, communication, participation and financial planning’, and the organisation continues to hold the best cards, publicly at least, when it comes to sponsors and media partners — mainly because the EFA has yet to reveal the finer details of its intentions.
“The ELF is an established league with proven structures, loyal fans, and strong, reputable partners,” the statement concluded. “In short: The ELF is — and remains — the premier league in European football.”
A formal response from the EFA has yet to appear, but one of its teams, 2025 ELF debutant Nordic Storm, has felt the need to clarify its own situation.
“In the wake of the changing landscape of American football in Europe over the past few months, there has undeniably been a need for clarification regarding Nordic Storm’s involvement and participation in the upcoming season,” an official communique from Copenhagen explains. “And here it can be summed up simply and clearly: Gladsaxe Stadium will once again be the place to experience the Nordic region’s highest level of football and entertainment in 2026.
“As clarified in Nordic Storm’s previous press release, in collaboration with the European Football Alliance, a process has been initiated, alongside Europe’s leading and strongest organisations, that will create a new era of football in Europe for the benefit of everyone with an interest in American football.
“Preparations for another unforgettable season are already in full swing — and the goal is clear: Nordic Storm will once again compete and aim for the privilege of being the best team in Europe. Although the details are still being worked out, there is no doubt that Nordic Storm, in collaboration with the nine other organisations that form the foundation of EFA, will continue to push the boundaries of the interest, level and overall experience of American football in 2026.”