AFL Disbanding?

[TopDawg19]

Source says Arena League will play in 2009
by Dennis Manoloff Friday December 05, 2008, 9:45 PM




The disbanding of the New Orleans VooDoo in the fall, subsequent multiple delays of its dispersal draft and a postponement of the release of the 2009 schedule have whipped Arena Football League fans into an online frenzy.

At issue is the financial health of the league. Speculation of trouble brewing increased tenfold in recent days as word spread that a potentially lucrative ownership deal with Platinum Equity might have fizzled. Other happenings that fueled the fire included the AFL's failure to find a permanent replacement for Commissioner David Baker, who resigned unexpectedly in July -- two days before the ArenaBowl.

The AFL responded to rumors of its demise with a statement late Friday:

"The AFL is working on long-term structural improvements which have unfortunately delayed some important events, such as the release of the 2009 schedule, the Dispersal Draft, and the beginning of free agency. We thank our fans for their enthusiasm for these events and ask them to be patient a little longer while we finalize our long-term improvements. All AFL teams are working towards winning ArenaBowl XXIII."

League spokesman Chris McCloskey, reached Friday night, declined further comment.

An AFL source said the now-16-team league, which includes the Cleveland Gladiators and Columbus Destroyers, would play next season. The source did not want to speculate about 2010 and beyond.

The AFL debuted in 1987.

The Gladiators are entering their second season in Cleveland. They reached the Eastern Conference Championship in their inaugural season.

"It's business as usual with us," said Phil Tesar, Gladiators director of communications. "We are continuing to sell season and group tickets and looking forward to qualifying for the playoffs in 2009. Nothing's changed on our end."

Tesar said the Gladiators have a schedule in hand and are waiting for the league to officially OK the release of it.

Gladiators President Bernie Kosar could not be reached.

AFL interim Commissioner Ed Policy could not be reached.