The AFL is "setting up a series of games to be played
in Europe this winter as well as discussing ideas" with the
CFL for an indoor league that would play from January to
June in Canada, according to John Lombardo of the
SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. AFL officials "confirmed that they
are in preliminary talks" with the CFL to create a jointly
owned league as a "springboard for expansion to the rapidly
growing indoor league." In addition, the AFL is "planning
to bring up to six teams to Europe for a two-month
exhibition season in France, England, Italy, Spain and
Germany." The AFL's European plan would include playing 12
games during December and January throughout Europe. AFL
VP/Communications David Cooper: "We've spent two years
developing our domestic market, and now with a wider appeal
it makes sense to go overseas. We have also had discussions
with the CFL to bring the Arena product to Canada. It could
be a separate league, but over time you'll see the AFL being
developed along with the CFL." CFL officials said that they
"have talked with the AFL about a potential partnership but
there is no formal proposal on the table." Lombardo notes
that the AFL "is no stranger to foreign soil. It held a
string of exhibition games throughout Europe from 1989
through 1997." More Cooper: "With our budding relationship
with the NFL, we think it's ripe to go overseas. We think
we'd be a complement to NFL Europe" (SBJ, 6/19 issue).
