The American Football League (AFL) was a mere seven years old and still did not have what it wanted.
The league's clubs had enjoyed success, and every team except two still remained in its original city. Not a single franchise had dissolved or folded, and expansion was on the horizon in Miami and then later Cincinnati. Most teams made money. The fanbase increased every season and more and more blue-chip players were joining the league.
But yet, the AFL still did not have what it wanted most: respect. That is respect from the National Football League (NFL).