AFL players were informed of the league's decision to cease operations yesterday afternoonCOLUMBUS DESTROYERS
Arena Football League Chair Ron Jaworski has confirmed that "all six of the league's franchises will suspend their local operations," according to a front-page piece by David Weinberg of the PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY. The future of the AFL "remains unclear." Jaworski said, "The AFL is not folding. We are ceasing local operations and all teams will be operated through the AFL office as we look to find new investors." According to a report, the league's decision was "prompted by a multi-million-dollar lawsuit filed against the AFL by an insurance carrier that provided workers compensation coverage for the league" from '09-12, before the current league officials, including Commissioner Randall Boe, were involved. Front office staffs, coaches and the players union were "informed of the league's decision" yesterday afternoon. Jaworski: "I wish I had a definitive answer. There are a lot of balls in the air. All I can say is the AFL ownership is exploring every opportunity to keep the League alive" (PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY, 10/30).
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chair & CEO Ted Leonsis wrote in a Linkedin post the AFL was unable to secure enough additional capital to fund expansion to a national footprint as his plan envisioned. THE DAILY reported in July that the AFL was seeking $15M in additional financing. "Unfortunately, the league has struggled to secure enough additional financial investment to execute that plan," Leonsis wrote. That, combined with the lawsuit from a former workers' compensation insurance carrier last week, forced the shutdown of the team units. "We continue to believe in the AFL product," Leonsis wrote, thinking its fast-paced, high-scoring style would be a good match for the over-the-top and legal sports gambling era (Ben Fischer, THE DAILY).
UNCERTAIN FUTURE: In Albany, Pete Dougherty in a front-page piece reports the AFL has "yet to determine whether it will suspend operations completely." The league is "seeking a path for financial solvency, a verdict that is said to be forthcoming." Boe said, "We haven't made a decision on whether to completely suspend operations. That's a decision that will probably be made in the next several weeks. We do know, under any set of circumstances, we will not be continuing to operate business operation units in our local markets. We will be closing those business operations in our local markets." Dougherty notes if it moves forward, the AFL "may become a traveling league, similar to the Premier Lacrosse League." After surviving with just four teams in '18, the AFL "expanded to six for the most recent season and hoped to continue that growth incrementally" (Albany TIMES UNION, 10/30).
ANOTHER ONE: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio noted Major League Football, which had planned to launch in '16 but "pulled the plug, now plans to get started" in '20. The league has "acquired gear previously owned by the AAF." MLFB plans to "launch with six teams, with a season opening not long after the next draft." It is a publicly-traded company. Ultimately, the goal will be to "provide a return on the investment made by those who own shares in the business" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 10/29).
