alternatehistory.com

The NFL since its inception in 1920 had been able to fend of other rival organisations, until the AFL came along. The AFL in its first 5 years had been able to stay afloat and compete with the NFL, to the point that many college players where signing f AFL teams instead of NFL ones. It got the the point that the NFL was losing revenue and feared that if it didn't reel in its opposition it could permanently lose its revenue share.

In 1966 the NFL approach the AFL for a merger deal. A deal was agreed upon and and approved by congress. With a plan in place for the merger by 1970 things looked up for both leagues. This led to the creation of the so called "SUPERBOWL" where the champions of both leagues would play each other. But after the first 2 of these games where won by Vince Lombardi's Green Bay. The NFL backed out of the merger agreement citing that the AFL was not strong enough to compete with it.

Ever since then both leagues had a bitter hate for one another. And while the AFL was hurt the most in the beginning it was able to bounce back, and it would be NFL that was hurt the most out of this. While both leagues did merge into UFL with SUPERBOWL III being played in 2000 by the New York teams, Giants and Jets.

How would things have looked if the merger had went through?

Would we have more or less teams than the current 32?

Would the SUPERBOWL any bigger than it is now? Being the third largest eating event after thanksgiving and Independence Day.
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