CHL Oklahoma City Blazers GM Brad Lund "may be four
weeks away" from bringing an AFL2 team, the AFL minor-league
affiliate set to start play in 2000, to the city, according
to Scott Munn of the DAILY OKLAHOMAN. The AFL wants
Oklahoma City as an AFL2 "charter member" and wants the
Blazers "to own and operate" a franchise. AFL
VP/Development Mary Ellen Garling "set a June 1 deadline"
for prospective owners to submit an application and $10,000
entry fee and "anticipates both from the Blazers ownership"
(OKLAHOMAN, 4/30). AFL Commissioner David Baker said there
are "more than 70 arenas interested" in AFL2 ownership.
Baker added that in five to eight years, "it's entirely
possible ... the AFL could have 32-36 teams, including
(franchises in) Europe, Canada and Mexico." He also said
"it's possible" the AFL could change its name to reflect the
affiliation with the NFL, with a decision based "at least in
part, (on) a marketing analysis of what's best for the
league" (PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY, 5/99 issue).
LOOKING TO ADOPT THE AFL MODEL? In Chicago, Mark Brown
profiles the Int'l Football Federation (IFF), the "latest
AFL wannabe," which has plans for franchises in "at least"
12 U.S. and Canadian cities. IFF President & CEO Ed Litwak
said that he "expects" prospective owners to make a $50,000
deposit toward a $500,000 franchise fee. Brown writes that
IFF rules will be similar to the NFL, but will "feature a
'radically different' colored ball" (SUN-TIMES, 4/30).
