The State/Fate of the AFL
The AFL is the perfect breeding ground for those football players who were not given the opportunity to put pen to paper on a NFL contract. However, the Arena Football League was gasping for air this past year as their fleet of professional teams dwindled to a lonely three. Fearing that a 2017 regular season would never occur, premier teams such the as Jacksonville Sharks and the Arizona Rattlers abandoned ship to join other rival leagues. Unfortunately, some owners of other organizations just called it quits and threw in the towel. The industry is collapsing due to its inability to consistently draw loyal fan bases to fill up their massive and incredibly expensive rented arenas. The league, in fact, declared bankruptcy in 2009. Expansion team after expansion team has folded due to organizational financial issues as well as player trouble off the field. Surprisingly, the AFL is currently holding a season this year with only five teams. The league was forced to scramble together two expansion teams known as the Baltimore Brigade and the Washington Valor. Locations such as Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, and Cleveland have proven that high end markets are best at sustaining such a team. (Note: Each one of the listed cities also possess other professional teams.) So, what's next for the Arena Football League as it limps through 2017? I, personally, believe that the league will eventually fold if ticket sales do not gradually increase. The AFL may have to partner with a rival league in order to survive. The sponsorships can only keep the league afloat for so long. The commissioner of the AFL must implement new ideas to enhance his product in order to attract more fans. On the other hand, I may be entirely wrong with my assessment. It's impossible for the league to turn back the clock to its "heyday" when it possessed nineteen teams, but it can wind it up again. The rival Indoor Football League is currently "licking its chops" and thriving as it welcomes former AFL teams. The AFL even installed an Arena Developmental League in hopes to kindle the dying flame. However, new ownership of the league is now determined to disguise it as the premier league since the AFL is faultering. The ADL is in its inaugural season this spring and is now known as the National Arena League. Be on the lookout as Saturday rolls around since the CBS Sports Network is televising the 30th season of the Arena Football League.
Photo Credit: Jacksonville Sharks’ player introductions for the AFL game against the Tampa Bay Storm at the Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., Saturday, July 30, 2016. (Gary McCullough/For the Times-Union)
