Micro67
03-18-2009, 10:20 PM
I have been a fan of minor league sports for a long time and I've enjoyed AFL games in St. Louis (with the Stampeders), Pheonix and Atlanta over the years. I'm a big fan of the sport and am glad to hear that it will likely return.
That said, I would refer to the 'Fans Bill of Rights' and ask if the AFL has lived up to it's billing as the most fan friendly professional sports league.
We believe that every Fan deserves our very best effort on a consistent basis, on every play on the field, every action in the stands, every call to our office, and every involvement in our community.
If 'consitency' were really the goal they would have found a way to get games played this year. As a fan I don't think they should be let off the hook on this point. There were viable options available.
Secondly, there should be a few more rights added. Neutral site games don't make sense for anyone. The league got ahead of itself here. I know that a trip to New Orleans is fun with or without a game, but asking the guy who lives in San Jose and goes to an AFL game BECAUSE he can show up with a $20 and leave with change to go to New Orleans to see his team play in the championship is too much.
Also, franchise free agency should be eliminated. We know that not all minor league franchises will succeed, but at least the name could be owned by the city they are in. Examples would include the Cleveland Browns or Green Bay packers.
Originally the AFL marketed itself as bringing football to medium sized markets and now it seems like all their efforts seem to be going to the big markets. A spending cap for the entire organization would help keep small and medium sized markets like Grand Rapids competative.
IMHO, relegation should be a serious part of the new AFL. It works in Europe and it could work in the U.S.. Making winning always beneficial to the ownership and fans. If your team moved from AF3 to AF2 the league could provide extra marketing or other priviledges and of course AFL teams would be on T.V. more.
As a fan I want to see a game at a reasonable price. With the minor leagues and semi-pro leagues I am not so concerned with rivalries so relegation helps me because I get to see different teams. A spending cap helps because it keeps what already was a coaches game even more a coaches game. In any league below the top tier you will lose talented players as soon as they show themselves to be talented. Lets embrace that. There is no reason for an AFL player to be making the kind of money that justifies increases in ticket prices.
I'll probably be back at an AFL game when they start playing again. Frankly, I've been to IFL, AIFL, UIF and other games and the nets do make a difference, but I hope the AFL has learned its lesson.
If not, here it is: You are a niche sport.
That said, I would refer to the 'Fans Bill of Rights' and ask if the AFL has lived up to it's billing as the most fan friendly professional sports league.
We believe that every Fan deserves our very best effort on a consistent basis, on every play on the field, every action in the stands, every call to our office, and every involvement in our community.
If 'consitency' were really the goal they would have found a way to get games played this year. As a fan I don't think they should be let off the hook on this point. There were viable options available.
Secondly, there should be a few more rights added. Neutral site games don't make sense for anyone. The league got ahead of itself here. I know that a trip to New Orleans is fun with or without a game, but asking the guy who lives in San Jose and goes to an AFL game BECAUSE he can show up with a $20 and leave with change to go to New Orleans to see his team play in the championship is too much.
Also, franchise free agency should be eliminated. We know that not all minor league franchises will succeed, but at least the name could be owned by the city they are in. Examples would include the Cleveland Browns or Green Bay packers.
Originally the AFL marketed itself as bringing football to medium sized markets and now it seems like all their efforts seem to be going to the big markets. A spending cap for the entire organization would help keep small and medium sized markets like Grand Rapids competative.
IMHO, relegation should be a serious part of the new AFL. It works in Europe and it could work in the U.S.. Making winning always beneficial to the ownership and fans. If your team moved from AF3 to AF2 the league could provide extra marketing or other priviledges and of course AFL teams would be on T.V. more.
As a fan I want to see a game at a reasonable price. With the minor leagues and semi-pro leagues I am not so concerned with rivalries so relegation helps me because I get to see different teams. A spending cap helps because it keeps what already was a coaches game even more a coaches game. In any league below the top tier you will lose talented players as soon as they show themselves to be talented. Lets embrace that. There is no reason for an AFL player to be making the kind of money that justifies increases in ticket prices.
I'll probably be back at an AFL game when they start playing again. Frankly, I've been to IFL, AIFL, UIF and other games and the nets do make a difference, but I hope the AFL has learned its lesson.
If not, here it is: You are a niche sport.