Awwwww, no more AFL... [Archive] - 49ers Message Board Community

Finer9rFan

12-15-2008, 01:32 PM

Arena Football League cancels 2009 season

Updated: December 15, 2008, 12:59 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) - The Arena Football League canceled its 2009 season Monday pending an agreement with its players union. The decision throws the future of the 22-year-old league into question just days after it said next season had not been suspended.

The AFL's owners voted against playing next year during a conference call Sunday night. It was unclear what had changed since the league issued a statement Wednesday night that said the 2009 season had not been suspended "despite rumors and reports to the contrary." The league said in Monday's statement it was "developing a long-term plan to improve its economic model."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8923318/Arena-Football-League-cancels-2009-season?

esanton

12-15-2008, 01:44 PM

Ouch.

socali49ers

12-15-2008, 01:53 PM

And this affected the sports world in what way?

esanton

12-15-2008, 01:55 PM

And this affected the sports world in what way?

Going to make it harder for professional players not ready for the NFL level to hone their skills and get into the NFL. NFL Europe is already gone. Now with the AFL gone, I guess the CFL is really all that's left.

socali49ers

12-15-2008, 01:56 PM

so the AFL is like a D-league in the NBA and the Minor league in MLB?

esanton

12-15-2008, 01:58 PM

so the AFL is like a D-league in the NBA and the Minor league in MLB?

I would go as far as to say that, but in essence, yes. The games are still highly entertaining and there are a lot of good players with lots of potential who just need to gain more experience before they are NFL ready.

I admit I don't follow the AFL religiously, but I do cheer for the Orlando Predators and I enjoy watching it while it's on.

The cancellation of the season won't really effect me, but it effects a lot of players out there. Then again, in this economy, it doesn't surprise me the season was terminated. The current economic situation is one of the main reasons the NFL hasn't added another expansion team yet.

Big Cat Lover

12-15-2008, 02:15 PM

So, basically, it's not the AFL is officially defunct, it's just not having
the 2009 season due to rough economic times. Like I said in another
thread that was polling people about the AFL, that's where you guys
had a Championship team in the Sabercats!!:friends:

Optimus Moo

12-15-2008, 02:19 PM

This isn't NFL news. Why is it in this forum?

Sac-King_916

12-15-2008, 02:21 PM

Never cared for the AFL.

Finer9rFan

12-15-2008, 02:25 PM

rathman53

12-15-2008, 02:34 PM

Really fun to go watch. I got 4 season tickets for free 3 or 4 years ago. It is not fun to watch on tv so much. Since is nothing to watch between the end of January and the begining of April I have to say that this blows hard. I def. dont think this league is going under though.

BrentJones84

12-15-2008, 03:55 PM

so the AFL is like a D-league in the NBA and the Minor league in MLB?

Sort of.

The problem with the AFL is it is SUCH a different game.

The field is roughyl about 1/2 the length and 1/2 the width of an NFL field, with 8 men on the fild (instead of an NFL normal 11). Linemen play both offense and defense by rule.

Because it's such a different game it really doesn't offer as much of a chance for players to work on their skills for the NFL level as some hoped, and I think that lack of potenial cross over hurt the fan base.

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 04:03 PM

AFL sucks.

But the USFL is coming back and that might be interesting.

Montana_Magic

12-15-2008, 04:04 PM

Like someone mentioned earlier, the AFL game doesn't translate well to TV. Live though, its fun. The tickets are cheap and it is entertaining.

esanton

12-15-2008, 04:08 PM

AFL sucks.

But the USFL is coming back and that might be interesting.

Is it? That's pretty cool. I never saw a USFL game.

esanton

12-15-2008, 04:55 PM

Spring 2010.

Sweet. Any idea what cities are getting teams?

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 04:56 PM

Is it? That's pretty cool. I never saw a USFL game.

Spring 2010.

The OLD Cookie Monster

12-15-2008, 05:03 PM

AFL sucks.

But the USFL is coming back and that might be interesting.

I thought it was called the UFL that was starting up, is the USFL coming back too?

Montana_Magic

12-15-2008, 05:08 PM

Sweet. Any idea what cities are getting teams?

USFL is done. UFL will have teams in: NYC, Orlando, LA, San Fran, Hartford, Vegas.

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 05:08 PM

I thought it was called the UFL that was starting up, is the USFL coming back too?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Football_League_(2010)

Teams:

"West Division"

San Jose, CA (although this Franchise apparently could end up in San Francisco if a better stadium offer is there.)

Los Angeles, CA

Las Vegas, NV

Portland, OR

San Antonio, TX

New Orleans, LA

"East Division"

Orlando, FL

Memphis, TN

New York, NY

Detroit, MI

Cincinnati, OH

Birmingham, AL

The OLD Cookie Monster

12-15-2008, 05:18 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Football_League_(2010)

Teams:

"West Division"

San Jose, CA (although this Franchise apparently could end up in San Francisco if a better stadium offer is there.)

Los Angeles, CA

Las Vegas, NV

Portland, OR

San Antonio, TX

New Orleans, LA

"East Division"

Orlando, FL

Memphis, TN

New York, NY

Detroit, MI

Cincinnati, OH

Birmingham, AL

I just got done checking out the website..... I think they may be trying to do too much to get people to like it, but we'll find out.

esanton

12-15-2008, 05:21 PM

USFL is done. UFL will have teams in: NYC, Orlando, LA, San Fran, Hartford, Vegas.

Orlando FTW! :dance:

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 05:25 PM

USFL is done. UFL will have teams in: NYC, Orlando, LA, San Fran, Hartford, Vegas.

Not according to the USFL website.

BrentJones84

12-15-2008, 05:32 PM

I just got done checking out the website..... I think they may be trying to do too much to get people to like it, but we'll find out.

I agree.

I have a feeling that much like the USFL and XFL it will be a colossal failure.

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 05:32 PM

I agree.

I have a feeling that much like the USFL and XFL it will be a colossal failure.

XFL was a huge failure, the original USFL lasted three years and had actually decent players/coaches so while it failed I wouldn't necessarily put it in the same league as the XFL. :laugh:

esanton

12-15-2008, 05:33 PM

XFL was a huge failure, the original USFL lasted three years and had actually decent players/coaches so while it failed I wouldn't necessarily put it in the same league as the XFL. :laugh:

I don't think the XFL was given a true chance. Of course the play was sloppy. None of the players had ever played on the same team before. I think people had preconceived notions about the league because Vince McMahon was behind it.

Had the XFL been given a couple more seasons it would have caught on and would be pretty popular today. The teams needed time to gel and get their chemistry right.

esanton

12-15-2008, 05:36 PM

I think people had preconceived notions about the league because Vince McMahon was behind it.

I hate wrestling and that automatically made me not watch it.

Proved my point :)

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 05:37 PM

I don't think the XFL was given a true chance. Of course the play was sloppy. None of the players had ever played on the same team before. I think people had preconceived notions about the league because Vince McMahon was behind it.

Had the XFL been given a couple more seasons it would have caught on and would be pretty popular today. The teams needed time to gel and get their chemistry right.

I don't think so. The XFL went wrong because it tried to bring all that dramatic trash talking wrestling drama to football. It was stupid. I hate wrestling and that automatically made me not watch it.

esanton

12-15-2008, 05:49 PM

But the preconceived notions were correct, lots of senseless trash talking. If I wanted to watch a soap opera, I'd watch daytime tv as at least it has chicks doing the drama. :laugh:

:laugh: I don't think the league would be the same today. I did like the all access approach.

Point being is that if somebody other than Vince McMahon were behind it, I think many people would have given it more of a chance.

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 05:49 PM

I think people had preconceived notions about the league because Vince McMahon was behind it.

Proved my point :)

But the preconceived notions were correct, lots of senseless trash talking. If I wanted to watch a soap opera, I'd watch daytime tv as at least it has chicks doing the drama. :laugh:

Brian Jennings

12-15-2008, 06:20 PM

my hometown (san jose) has won the arena bowl three times in the last ten years. and i really dont give a ****.

BrentJones84

12-15-2008, 07:57 PM

DallasNiner

12-15-2008, 08:33 PM

You're right, not in the same league.

The USFL lost far more money than the XFL ever did, and ended up a much bigger failure.

I think only lasting one season is a much bigger failure myself.

Brian Jennings

12-15-2008, 08:41 PM

If the NFL would fund it's own minor league (in the U.S.) then perhaps I'd watch. Maybe take a few tips from MLB on the idea...
It's called college...

Venom

12-15-2008, 08:42 PM

I'm not surprised. The American public has always been lukewarm to any pro football without the NFL shield. The AFL seemed to carve out a niche that the USFL and XFL couldn't. With NFLE gone, I think there needs to be a league like the AFL because there is a substantial # of players who benefit not only financially but in terms of advancement to the NFL. I hope this isn't the end.

The OLD Cookie Monster

12-15-2008, 08:46 PM

If the NFL would fund it's own minor league (in the U.S.) then perhaps I'd watch. Maybe take a few tips from MLB on the idea...

Brian Jennings

12-15-2008, 08:51 PM

There needs to be a step between the NCAA and the NFL for many players, particularly QBs.No.

Venom

12-15-2008, 08:59 PM

It's called college...

There needs to be a step between the NCAA and the NFL for many players, particularly QBs.

Brian Jennings

12-15-2008, 09:03 PM

Quite a few NFL success stories wouldn't have happened had there been no options for players after the NCAA. The MLB and NBA have developmental systems. I can't fathom why the NFL wouldn't want one.
Minor league of some sort is fine. No 'step' between. Careers are short enough as it is, shouldn't have guys wasting time in a minor league if they can hold a spot on an NFL roster.

Montana_Magic

12-15-2008, 09:06 PM

I thought the UFL was going to have a shot as another football league. But it seems like instead of playing in the spring(which i think was the original plan), now they are thinking about playing fridays in the fall and winter. Friday will guarentee low ratings.

The USFL (i thought it was done already, but i must have misread an article) has a horrible game plan. They want to have 12 teams. Considering that the UFL will already have started, they are going to be scraping the bottom of the barrel to get talent for all those teams.

Venom

12-15-2008, 09:10 PM

No.

Quite a few NFL success stories wouldn't have happened had there been no options for players after the NCAA. The MLB and NBA have developmental systems. I can't fathom why the NFL wouldn't want one.

BrentJones84

12-15-2008, 09:19 PM

If the NFL would fund it's own minor league (in the U.S.) then perhaps I'd watch. Maybe take a few tips from MLB on the idea...

Agreed. I really don't know why the NFL hasn't set one up.

Montana_Magic

12-15-2008, 09:21 PM

Agreed. I really don't know why the NFL hasn't set one up.

The cost would outweigh the benefits.

Venom

12-15-2008, 09:26 PM

Agreed. I really don't know why the NFL hasn't set one up.

After Kurt Warner's success in '99, I thought the NFL might actually get behind the AFL. Obviously not.

Wikedjug

12-15-2008, 10:31 PM

No.

lol have you noticed where college football is heading? In another 10 years don't be surprised if every major school is running a spread of some kind. Most college QBs are going to need a place to learn how to run a real offense. While the afl is far from a pro style offense QBs in it really do nothing at all but make NFL throws and it has actually helped many nfl QBs develop

Venom

12-16-2008, 01:19 AM

lol have you noticed where college football is heading? In another 10 years don't be surprised if every major school is running a spread of some kind. Most college QBs are going to need a place to learn how to run a real offense. While the afl is far from a pro style offense QBs in it really do nothing at all but make NFL throws and it has actually helped many nfl QBs develop

I agree totally. QB is an important position and the most likely to command megabucks yet young QBs are the least likely to be NFL ready when drafted. As you pointed out, the trend might be getting worse.