The AFL's Board of Directors has approved the concept
of "arenafootball2" (af2) as a regional-based community
league system in an effort to bring professional football to
small and medium-sized arenas and communities across the
U.S. Final approval for the new league is still pending,
but the Board could consider applications as early as mid-
December for the formation of two regional leagues -- one in
the Southeast and one in the Midwest -- that may begin play
as early as the spring of '99. The AFL will target
communities having arenas with seating capacities between
4,000-9,000. The initial cost of an "af2" membership is
expected to be between $300,000 and $500,000. To locate
potential franchise owners already within the minor leagues,
the AFL is forming a partnership with NY-based United Sports
Ventures, which has owned and operated minor league sports
teams since '86 under President Dr. Eric Margenau (AFL).
PREDATORS PUT YOUNGBLOOD ON BENCH: In Orlando, Jerry
Green reports that AFL Orlando Predators President Jack
Youngblood "has been placed on paid administrative leave for
an indefinite period while the team's Board of Directors
reviews" the team's operations. Shares in the team trade on
the NASDAQ under Orlando Predators Entertainment (OPE).
Board Chair William Meris said that OPE is focusing on
"several new ventures, including purchasing an additional
stake" in the AFL, and is concerned the team "could be
operated more profitably." Despite winning this year's
ArenaBowl, the Predators' public stock "has been hovering
around" $3.50 a share after initially selling for just under
$5.00 last fall (Jerry Green, ORLANDO SENTINEL, 11/19).
