Sadly, not looking good for the AFL...

The AFL's board, citing debt and higher expenses, canceled the 2009 schedule in December and hopes to play again in 2010.

“We get to keep the [Arena Bowl] trophy for two years because we’re in suspension,” Bon Jovi said with a smile at the Marriott Marquis Hotel before he went onstage to receive his Songwriter's HOF trophy.

“But here’s the truth,” he said. “If we come back, we will set a new benchmark for what is sports ownership.

“This is more than a lockout. We’re on the brink of the abyss. I can tell you thousands of man hours are spent trying hard to keep those players employed and keep our fans satisfied. This is my first comment about this process and I’m already regretting giving it to you because I don’t want to talk out of school. We all love it so much that we are working. I swear to you we are working everyday. There are phone calls at seven o’clock every night about what we’re doing to try and keep it afloat.”

Bon Jovi said the league’s chances for survival are “50-50.”

Eventually, he would like to explore ownership of an N.F.L. team. “Yeah, why do you think I’m getting this education?” he said about his A.F.L. experience.

~ Hath