Shuttered AFL Plans To Discontinue Players' Health Insurance

AFLPA Members Believe Discontinuing Health Insurance Could Stall League's Return

The shuttered AFL has notified its players that it "plans to discontinue health insurance while preparing for a 2010 relaunch," according to two AFLPA reps cited by Brian VanOchten of the GRAND RAPIDS PRESS. It is a "surprise move" that AFLPA members "claim could stall the league's progress toward returning to action next year." AFL Grand Rapids Rampage K Brian Gowins: "I am less optimistic than I have ever been." VanOchten notes a copy of the term sheet that "outlines conditions of a new four-year" CBA between AFL owners and players that runs through '13 "clears the way for the league's return." The term sheet "stipulates 'teams will pay 100[%] of the cost of (transition) insurance coverage for all players receiving insurance through at least June 30, 2009' or longer, depending on contract status, length of service time and other factors." But internal AFLPA documents indicated that AFL owners "sent a memo to AFLPA leadership late last week reneging on that pledge." Rampage CEO Scott Gorsline "insisted the league is making every effort to relaunch despite missing numerous deadlines since March 1 to rubber stamp the newly revised CBA that included financial concessions from the players." AFL Exec Committee Chair and Columbus Destroyers Owner Jim Renacci is the "lead negotiator for the owners," but he "could not be reached for comment." Another AFLPA rep said that the union "might consider legal action to make sure players keep getting insurance coverage" (GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, 5/28).

SWANN DIVE: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio reported Pro Football HOFer Lynn Swann "could soon be a partial owner" of a new AFL franchise. Documents indicated that Swann and former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum are "two potential investors/owners of an indoor team that would debut next year in Pittsburgh." Pennsylvania-based Shaner Investments President Matt Shaner would be the lead owner and "would own [20-40%] of the franchise." The discussions "have been characterized to other AFL owners as being in the 'advanced stages.'" The expansion fee "would be $10[M], with half of the money paid in 2010 and the other half paid in 2011" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 5/26).