On April 2, 2019, the league’s football operations were reportedly suspended, and on April 4 the league allowed players to leave their contracts to sign with NFL teams. The league filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 17, 2019.

After the league’s suspension of football operations, head coach Spurrier, by virtue of the team’s league-leading record, stated, “we’ve got to be the champs, right?” FanDuel Sportsbook declared the Apollos “honorary champions,” while paying out futures bets placed on all AAF teams.