Everything Everywhere Daily · Thursday, August 27, 2026
Following secret negotiations, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle and AFL founder Lamar Hunt announced the merger of the two leagues on June 8, 1966. The agreement included a common draft and a championship game, but faced legal challenges due to antitrust laws.
“Lamar Hunt set up a series of secret meetings with NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.”
“On the evening of June 8th, 1966, Pete Rozelle and Lamar Hunt walked into a packed press conference in New York City to announce the formal merger of the AFL and the NFL.”
“Except, it turns out the entire deal was illegal.”