Why did the AFL Die?

[kq76]

Reports: Arena Football League will fold soon, declare bankruptcy - ESPN

I haven't been following this story very closely, but I am curious as to why it died. They say it was due to the economic downturn, but it also reads as if not having a real commish this last year hurt in trying to come up with a recovery plan. It seems to me that maybe too many owners just weren't rich enough to withstand a hit to their wealth and if that was the primary reason then I can't help but think that it might be inevitable that we see a handful of teams in say the NHL fold as well (yes, Bettman would probably rather die than let that happen, but maybe not even he could stop that). Reading wikipedia it sounds like maybe they expanded too easily as well which makes you wonder about the MLS as well (I'm psyched about the Whitecaps getting to play with the big boys so I don't want to see trouble there). Regardless, I was under the impression that at least until a couple years ago that the AFL was a largely successful league especially considering it was pretty much the same sport as maybe the most popular league in North America so I'm a bit puzzled that it was the first to die.

[phightin]

The main reason the arena league folded in my mind was just lack of demand and attendance, and with things the way they are with the economy i just think owners couldn't take a loss anymore. You have to remember a major portion of these teams are operating while making very little if any profit. I just think the owners finally were afraid with things the way the were right now and didn't want to risk a long term financial burden on themselves. In regards to the nhl i really feel it could use contraction because the league is obviously way too big and has teams in locations they have no business being in. The MLS too in my opinion has a death wish as well. After taking almost 15 years for the league to finally find some financial stablility and success and having already dealt with contraction, what does the league do? Rapidly expands.

[Reader012]

Is arenafootball2 going to stick around?

[TribeFanInNC]

I remember an interview with Jon Bon Jovi where he said something like he definitely doesn't make money, but he doesn't lose too much either.

While I didn't have any affinity for Arena football, it would be too bad to see it go away. I'm sure there are kids that enjoy it and dads that like to take their kids to affordable entertainment. I remember Cleveland had an indoor soccer team in the 80s and I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread when I was like 8. I even had a jersey. Couldn't have been very profitable, but it was fun to me.

[ifspuds]

Originally Posted by Reader012

Is arenafootball2 going to stick around?

It sounds as though af2 will stick around, though with some franchises folding/moving/etc. We have a very successful af2 franchise here in Spokane, and there was a recent article in the newspaper about the future of the league. It doesn't sound as though af2 is in any league-wide financial trouble, though I'm far from an expert on the matter.

[BaseballMan]

Thought you ment the American football league.

I dont know if anybody else is like me but i just couldnt get into arena football.
I guess im too use too the NFL fields and couldnt get use to 50 yd fields.
Seemed too much closer to flag football or 6 man football i suppose.
Maybe thats why the American Football league was able to last as long as it did and be absorbed by the NFL. Since it was closer to what the NFL offered.

Could that be why all these other leagues folded? The WFL, USFL, XFL, (if it counts) and the AFL. they tried too hard to be different?
Maybe too many pro leagues of the same sport is too much.

Really dont care as much for the indoor arenas. I like football & baseball to be played outdoors.

I cant give you the reason it died but if others felt like me then maybe thats why their attendance wasnt what they expected.

[mrskippy]

Originally Posted by ifspuds

It sounds as though af2 will stick around, though with some franchises folding/moving/etc. We have a very successful af2 franchise here in Spokane, and there was a recent article in the newspaper about the future of the league. It doesn't sound as though af2 is in any league-wide financial trouble, though I'm far from an expert on the matter.

You guys played our lowly Stockton franchise. They have struggled, but hopefully they will manage to stick around. The af2 seems to be doing OK and IMHO is doing what a league like this should be doing -- sticking to smaller markets. Nowadays places like Spokane and Stockton are building nice minor league facilities -- 10,000 seats or so. Our arena hosts an ECHL team (which is the biggest gate in the league), the af2 team, and an indoor soccer team. They are trying to lure a basketball team (CBA at one point, until it collapsed and still holding hope for NBA Dev.

IIRC, the other mainline arena football league also primarily serves these secondary, smaller markets. To me, for minor league sports, it is the way to go.

Obviously, the contention is that the large markets see their arenas go unused in the summer (though AFL starts fairly early, while NBA and NHL are still playing). Perhaps that is something to look at. IIRC, af2 starts a bit later and wraps up about August (in time for hoops and hockey).

[jazzrack]

if sports like arena football want to survive they have to dump the concept of being tied to cities and think more along the lines of say nascar. think of nike sponsoring a team and geting to choose where to play each home game. 2 in NY, 2 in LA, 1 in SF... ect.

[Go Tribe]

I blame Isaiah Thomas

[8675309]

Originally Posted by mrskippy

You guys played our lowly Stockton franchise. They have struggled, but hopefully they will manage to stick around. The af2 seems to be doing OK and IMHO is doing what a league like this should be doing -- sticking to smaller markets. Nowadays places like Spokane and Stockton are building nice minor league facilities -- 10,000 seats or so. Our arena hosts an ECHL team (which is the biggest gate in the league), the af2 team, and an indoor soccer team. They are trying to lure a basketball team (CBA at one point, until it collapsed and still holding hope for NBA Dev.

IIRC, the other mainline arena football league also primarily serves these secondary, smaller markets. To me, for minor league sports, it is the way to go.

Obviously, the contention is that the large markets see their arenas go unused in the summer (though AFL starts fairly early, while NBA and NHL are still playing). Perhaps that is something to look at. IIRC, af2 starts a bit later and wraps up about August (in time for hoops and hockey).

Don't most AFL teams usually use NHL hockey rinks? I'd imagine it gets a bit expensive paying for those big buildings when they aren't filling them. Maybe if they thought like the afl2 teams and used or built smaller venues then maybe they could afford to exist still.