Aaronhere
12-10-2008, 08:37 PM
After initial indications they would suspend the 2009 season, Arena Football League owners decide Wednesday to step back and weigh their alternatives.
After initial indications they would suspend the 2009 season, Arena Football League owners decided Wednesday to step back and weigh their alternatives, a Los Angeles team executive has confirmed.
"The Avengers and the AFL continue to look at and explore all options," said Matt Wikstrom, president of the L.A. Avengers.
Earlier in the day, Avengers owner Casey Wasserman said he expected the season would be called off to allow the league to regroup in the face of an economic downturn, create league-wide efficiencies such as a more centralized marketing structure, then move forward.
"It's important for the Arena Football League to think about the next 20 years," Wasserman said. "And the economic model, combined with the economic environment we're in currently doesn't allow us to take that perspective."
The decision to suspend the season was subject to a vote by the owners.
The 16-team AFL, which was founded in 1987, has several owners who also own NFL teams, among them Atlanta's Arthur Blank and Dallas' Jerry Jones.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-football11-2008dec11,0,5807295.story
After initial indications they would suspend the 2009 season, Arena Football League owners decided Wednesday to step back and weigh their alternatives, a Los Angeles team executive has confirmed.
"The Avengers and the AFL continue to look at and explore all options," said Matt Wikstrom, president of the L.A. Avengers.
Earlier in the day, Avengers owner Casey Wasserman said he expected the season would be called off to allow the league to regroup in the face of an economic downturn, create league-wide efficiencies such as a more centralized marketing structure, then move forward.
"It's important for the Arena Football League to think about the next 20 years," Wasserman said. "And the economic model, combined with the economic environment we're in currently doesn't allow us to take that perspective."
The decision to suspend the season was subject to a vote by the owners.
The 16-team AFL, which was founded in 1987, has several owners who also own NFL teams, among them Atlanta's Arthur Blank and Dallas' Jerry Jones.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-football11-2008dec11,0,5807295.story