The AFL's 14th season is "in jeopardy because of a
labor dispute," according to Mike Terry of the L.A. TIMES,
who reported that a group of players have "formed" the
AFLPA, "hoping to negotiate a legal settlement on current
contracts and a basic agreement to cover future contracts."
The AFLPA has retained attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who said,
"The league has placed [contract] restrictions on players
that are illegal." Kessler added that if the owners are
"unwilling to negotiate a settlement," the AFLPA "will file
a class-action suit." But Terry wrote that the AFLPA "does
not see itself as a labor union and is not interested in
collective bargaining, which are problems for the league."
AFL Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel Ron Kurpiers
said the league is "immediately willing to negotiate with
the players as a union and if the negotiations are for a
collective bargaining agreement." Terry added that AFL team
owners met last week in Chicago, "where several suggested
canceling the season" if the AFLPA "goes ahead with a class-
action suit" (L.A. TIMES, 1/15). In Orlando, Jerry Greene
wrote that the AFL "expected its 14th season to be its
greatest. Now the league wonders whether there will be a
14th season." Greene cited two sources as saying that the
possible "cancellation or at least postponement" of the
season "could be decided as early as mid-February if the
sides do not agree to negotiate" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/15).
AFL Commissioner David Baker sent a letter to players and
owners last week "alerting them to the likelihood of
canceling the season." The AFLPA is aided by the United
Food & Commercial Workers Union, which has promised
financing for a federal suit against the league (AP, 1/16).
FACT OF LIFE: AFL Kats Owner Mark Bloom said that the
labor impasse was "inevitable." Bloom: "It's part of growth
and part of becoming a big-time league. We all realized
this was something that was coming." In Nashville, Andrew
Humbles wrote that AFL player salaries "usually range" from
$15,000-60,000 per season, while housing and food stipends
are "provided during the season" (TENNESSEAN, 1/16). In
Grand Rapids, Gary Bond noted that Baker wrote in his letter
that he was "concerned with the [AFL's] credibility in the
eyes of the NFL," which holds a three-year option to
purchase up to 49.9% of the league. Bond: "Baker fears
other NFL owners will shy away from the AFL because of the
possible lawsuit." AFLPA VP and Barnstormers player Basil
Proctor: "We're not asking for much, no more than a front-
office employee" (GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, 1/16).
