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Leagues and Governing Bodies

AFL's Future In Further Limbo With L.A. Kiss Shutting Down, Arizona Rattlers Leaving

The AFL "continued to unravel Thursday," as a note on the L.A. Kiss' website claims the team "has fired all of its employees and closed the doors," according to Don Coble of the FLORIDA TIMES-UNION. This comes as Spokane-based KHQ-NBC reported the Arizona Rattlers have "left the league to join the Indoor Football League." The Kiss and Rattlers are the "third and fourth teams in two days to leave the financially-strapped" AFL, as the Orlando Predators this week announced they are suspending operations, while the Jacksonville Sharks are planning to join another league. With the loss of those teams and the "league takeover and closure of the franchise in Portland, the AFL now is down to four teams" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 10/14). In Washington, Jim Meehan cites sources as saying that the Rattlers are "close to finalizing" their move to the IFL, though the Sharks' status in the league "isn't as clear because its location doesn't fit in the IFL's geographic footprint in the West and Midwest." The IFL had 10 teams during the '16 season "and anticipates the same number" next year (Spokane SPOKESMAN-REVIEW, 10/14).

NOT SITTING BACK: The AFL in a statement issued Friday morning said it is focused on "solidifying its foundation for the long term" and is in talks with potential ownership groups in pro markets. The statement cited the expansion Washington Valor, which will begin play in DC next season, as a "solid example of where we are headed" (THE DAILY).

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