Arena Football League on Shaky Ground
I saw this in my Google Alerts this morning.
The Denver Post reported Monday that two sources say the league will fold if it can't find financial help by Dec. 19. "The business model for the league is broken," Colorado Crush executive vice president Michael Young told the Post. Similar reports surfaced over the weekend in Columbus and Cleveland, two other cities with teams in the 16-team league.
The SaberCats are going forward with plans for their season opener, regardless of the financial troubles. I believe the Soul are as well, as I haven't heard anything to the contrary, and in fact know someone who bought a season ticket as recently as last month.
The league released a statement saying, "The AFL is working on long-term structural improvements which have unfortunately delayed some events, such as the release of the 2009 schedule, the dispersal draft, and the beginning (of) free agency. We ask our fans to be patient a little longer while we finalize our long-term improvements."
The New Orleans VooDoo hasn't waited, however, and the owner of that team has already dissolved the team. It will be a real shame if the AFL folds. It is inexpensive good family entertainment, and a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Let's keep our fingers crossed that the league can pull it off.
Here is the link to the full article.
~ Hath
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6 comments:
ugh, I hope it's not true--for the league's sake. The shaky economy is just everywhere with bad news.
on the subject of Google Alerts, did you know you made the blog part of the alerts today?
The problem is - some of those teams in the AFL are SO poorly managed and are in markets that just can't support a team. There are of course the successful ones - like Philly, Chicago, Dallas, San Jose - but there are some that just aren't gonna make it.
The Soul is in a unique place because of its ownership. I am not saying that Ditka or Elway or Jerry Jones aren't at a high level - just saying that because of Jon's involvement, merchandise sales are higher and the team is able to get a level of visibility most other teams aren't.
Unfortunately, a few solid teams does not a league make - only time will tell what will happen.
I really hope it's not true, but you never know.
I feel sorry for the fans, who would have paid for season tickets, or however you do it over in the states, and who's team is looking ropey.
Okay .. I deleted the last comment because I realize it could cause a little hysteria ... and we don't need that.
Yes, the free agency and dispersal draft (originally scheduled for October) has been "postponed until further notice" according to the league.
What the league hasn't talked about as much is the financial re-organization and infusion of capital that is being negotiated. With that, things could change in terms of media deals, etc. etc. It takes time to figure those things out. Thus the delay.
Still ... all we can do is wait and see where this takes us.
I have decided to ask Santa for an AFL season for Christmas. Couldn't hurt. ;-)
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