Dennis Manoloff of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Arena Football League is shutting down for the 2009 season. They look to return in 2010.The AFL ((pictured, thanks Nick Laham/Getty Images)) Board of Directors voted on the idea Sunday night and an official announcement is scheduled for some time Monday. The number one reason for the suspension is the reported lack of owners who were committed to a season.
Manoloff's article reports the following franchises were not looking to play:
The Georgia Force ((owned by the Atlanta Falcons)), the Dallas Desperados ((owned by the Cowboys)), the Philadelphia Soul ((owned by Jon Bon Jovi among others)), Colorado Crush ((owned by John Elway and Pat Bowlen)), the Chicago Rush, and the Cleveland Gladiators (9owned by Bernie Kosar and others)).
Tampa Bay Storm Head Coach Tim Marcum, in an interview with the St. Pete Times newspaper, said his team- along with Arizona, New York, Orlando, and San Jose voted to play.
The four-letter network, who holds a financial stake in the league, however told anyone willing to listen that they would not televise a 6, 7, or 8-team league.
Owners like Arthur Blank and Jerrih Jones, Manoloff's source for the story stated, would come back for the 2010 season if the business model were to be reworked.
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