AFL, As Expected, Lays Off Majority Of League Employees
By Terry Lefton, Editor-at-Large
With the AFL cancelling its '09 season, staff layoffs were expected. Sure enough, the AFL lowered the boom on most league employees on December 22, dismissing all but five of the staff from its N.Y. league HQs, and five from its Chicago office. Sources said around 25 employees were dismissed and will be paid through the end of '08. Retained in the league's N.Y. office are five AFL staffers: Deputy Commissioner Ed Policy, along with two members of the AFL's legal team, and two support staffers. Without confirming many details on the job cuts, Policy acknowledged that "the majority of league staff" were dismissed. "We had to make some very difficult decisions," he said. "It is tough losing people you truly believe are among the best and we hope to have the option of rehiring some of them soon." Sources said AFL staffers are being paid through the end of the year, and are being offered 2-to-4 weeks of severance pay, along with medical and dental coverage through February. Among the "confidentiality clauses" in the five-page separation agreement sent to league employees is one asking them to keep the separation agreement itself private. Policy reiterated that the league is working toward a reorganization plan by March 1. "We're working with ownership to figure out the most effective way to run the league -- both for the short-term and long-term basis," he said. The AFL cancelled its '09 season on December 15, saying it was seeking "a long-term plan to improve its economic model" after a long anticipated equity deal fell through. Still unclear is whether the league will continue with offices in N.Y. and Chicago. Many in the marketing community say that once the league reorganizes, it needs to get back in the market by March in order to hit the selling cycle for a '10 relaunch.
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
New Arena Football League In The Works
September 25, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Ralph Wilson Jr. Inducted Into HOF
August 10, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
TV Revenue May Be Key To UFL's Success
August 6, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
AFL Formally Suspends Operations
August 5, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
AFL Poised For Indefinite Hiatus
August 4, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
Bills Owner Prepared To Make Big Changes
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Bears Deny Rift With NBC
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MSFC Threatens Vikings With Penalties
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Gruden Committed To Improving On "MNF"
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Obama To Appear In PSA With Three NFLers
November 20, 2009 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
