Another strike in the offing?

[preeths]

According to some reports, several teams may be ready to sit out tonight. The situation is so uncertain that the NFL Network has canceled tonight's broadcast:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4418094

[preeths]

And we now have the first forfeited game in the AFL's history:
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4418105

[nksports]

This does not bode well for the league after the chaos of the last two or three years. I wonder if this is why they are pushing for a new developmental league (guys willing to play for $200 a game).

[robster2001]

There aren't that many people who care about the AFL as it is.

Wildcat strikes will cut down that small number, and do so quickly. The Gladiators will have a hard time selling tickets for the rest of the season, for example.

I understand the players' frustration -- we all want more money -- but the reality appears to be that the money literally isn't there.

As to the AFDL -- I can't see it happening. There aren't enough indoor owners that are (1) willing to cede any authority to anyone else and (2) able to afford $200/player/game. :)

[preeths]

These strikes are really making some hardcore AFL fans bitter. If the league loses them, it's going to be an even longer uphill climb.

[SignGuyDino]

IF the USFL had any seriousness, this is exactly the opportunity they need to urge the NFL to drop the AFL after this year and partner with them.

Many of us support players esp. when it comes to new CBAs. That's when they have as much leverage as they will ever get. But walking out in a strike is just going to kill your league, and frankly your sport. Arena managers generally do not WANT to deal with summer sports, this just makes it harder to continue arena football let alone talk about an indoor "developmental" league.

So IF this new USFL takes off, they really shouldn't pay players much more than AFL. Too many players.

[Caballo Diablo]

These strikes are really making some hardcore AFL fans bitter. If the league loses them, it's going to be an even longer uphill climb.
Amen, very bitter.

Attendance has been poor, this kind of stuff creates more empty seats and less sponsors/advertisers. This is the second time this season Soto and his fools have created havoc for an NFLN broadcast. Not good for the league or it's players.

[Caballo Diablo]

From the AFL site;
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/cleveland-forfeits-matchup-against-pittsburgh

Cleveland Forfeits Matchup Against Pittsburgh
AFL Communications
06/08/2012 8:57 PM
CHICAGO – The Cleveland Gladiators (6-6) have forfeited tonight’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Power (3-9), the Arena Football League Office announced today.

The forfeit, due to a work stoppage by a group of Gladiator players, evens Cleveland’s record with just seven weeks remaining in the regular season.

“Despite many offers from the League, a group of players with the Cleveland Gladiators have opted to go on strike,” AFL Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said. “Because of the circumstance at hand, the Cleveland Gladiators have forfeited the matchup.”

All other games slated for Week 14 will be played as planned.

“The remainder of the 2012 AFL season and postseason is not in jeopardy,” Kurz said. “Unfortunately, a small group of players entered a work stoppage.”

Entering the League’s Silver Anniversary, the AFL Players Union and Arena Football League have been engaged in labor talks. The AFL offered players a substantial pay raise, however the union turned down the offer.

At this point, the League and the Union seem to be at an impasse. Two weeks ago, the AFL Players Union rejected the League’s latest proposal in less than an hour. The Union reverted back to its Collective Bargaining Agreement proposal made on February 24, 2012. After more than three months, the Union has shown no movement from its proposal formulated by the AFL Player Union’s Executive Director Ivan Soto. Soto has acknowledged the proposal would cost the League in excess of $15,000,000 over the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

[tops804]

From the AFL site;
http://www.arenafootball.com/news/cleveland-forfeits-matchup-against-pittsburgh

Cleveland Forfeits Matchup Against Pittsburgh
AFL Communications
06/08/2012 8:57 PM

For the record: Two comments (as a Clevelander) I have heard this evening.
1) Who are the Gladiators?
2) Who cares?

Despite the Tribe being out of town, and Cavaliers ownership now owning the AFL team. They are pretty much a non-factor here except for a few die-hards.

After the AFL fallout of 2008, I would have gladly accepted a CIFL (but please no UIFL) team in Cleveland. Any notion of the AFL being truly a "professional" league has foiled us here, twice.

[VinnyTheViper]

The Mistake on the Lake strikes again!

[tops804]

The Mistake on the Lake strikes again!

Nahh, That would be the I can't write it on a G-rated website, but think of words the rhyme with "Q" and fill in the blank "______ at the Q"

Which come to think of it, was what seven seasons of LeBron Ball at the arena gave us as well... :mad:

That was actually the "Mistake By the Lake" you would be referring to by the way....Which at the rate the Browns are going could be reborn very soon too.....