Looming financial problems have forced the Arena Football League to cease operations indefinitely.
On Monday, Brett Bouchy, owner of the Arizona Rattlers, told the Orlando Sentinel that AFL owners voted to suspend operations indefinitely and declare for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation.
“It’s just unfortunate we’re in this situation,” Bouchy said. “Everyone knows myself and Arizona fought hard to avoid this day. The league was divided into two groups and factions. You had one group of committed owners who contributed capital and willing to do whatever it took to bring the league back in 2010 I have been in that group the entire time. Then there was another group that just wasn’t willing to make the investment. We could never get a consensus.”
A formal announcement is expected later this week.
AFL owners voted to suspend the 2009 season last December. The owners felt the time off would help the league focus on making a better business model.
The AFL’s closing will not affect the af2, which is the AFL’s sub-indoor league, that according to S. Garen Szablewski, GM of af2′s Albany Firebirds.
It’s a shame that a family friendly league like the AFL has to close. The economy has been cruel to all of us, but you never think it can touch sports the way it has touched the AFL.
I’ve heard people say the league was “cartoonish” for its short field, odd-shaped goal posts, and lack of defensive play. But the league provided fun entertainment at a cheap price, something that the NFL can’t provide.
Where else do you see players, coaches, and other staff members stay for hours after the game to sign autographs and chat with the fans?
Most of the players and coaches were guys like you and me. Regular Joes who had enough talent to play football on the weekends in the spring.
What happens to them?
Do they go to the Indoor Football League or the af2? Some of them already have, but the exposure the AFL had on ESPN helped them get noticed. These two leagues might not even reach that point.
Are they good enough to make it in the new upstart UFL? Not likey. The UFL seems like a place for NFL rejects (formerly known as NFL Europe).
Without the AFL, where does the next Kurt Warner come from? Two years before Warner won the Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams, he was the league’s best quarterback, helping guide the Iowa Barnstormers to two straight Arena Bowl appearances in 1996 and 1997. Now the two-time NFL MVP is on a path to the Pro-Football Hall of Fame.
If the league never reopens, it would be a shame for their former players and coaches. They’ll have to try and find another way to keep their dream alive.
(Info. and quotes: The Sporting News, Orlando Sentinel, Times-Union)
Never fear, there are other leagues around. There are several indoor leagues, and one may be playing in an arena near you. There are also several outdoor leagues with a family-friendly price of admission. Check around, you might find some good football playing near you!
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