Joining the AF2

[billm75]

Does anyone know what the costs and conditions are to become a part of the AF2? I searched their site and came up dry.

I'm more curious than anything, and I'm certainly not trying to start a team on my own. I can barely afford to pay attention let alone a few hundred thousand to start my own team. ;)

[Snake Bitten]

If I'm not mistaken.....and I VERY well may be mistaken.....the owner of the team must have liquid assets in the amount of 2M. I think net worth needs to be 10M.

[billm75]

$2m? WOW! I wouldn't have thought it to be THAT high for second tier football.

But...then again, I don't blame them either.

[Snake Bitten]

bill, like I said, I could be wrong. I heard that second hand, I didn't read it anywhere official. It may be embellished, but I do believe that the af2 has hefty financial requirements for their team owners.

[phydeaux72]

That is correct. To own an af2 franchise, one must have at least $10M in total assets, of which $2M must be liquid (cash).

Also, the franchise fee is $675,000. In addition, and I could be mistaken about this part, annual dues are in the neighborhood of $350,000. The owner must also secure an irrevocable line of credit in the amount of $200,000.

[rams80]

That is correct. To own an af2 franchise, one must have at least $10M in total assets, of which $2M must be liquid (cash).

Also, the franchise fee is $675,000. In addition, and I could be mistaken about this part, annual dues are in the neighborhood of $350,000. The owner must also secure an irrevocable line of credit in the amount of $200,000.

Does that include the patent fees (for the nets, etc...)

[phydeaux72]

Does that include the patent fees (for the nets, etc...)

If someone is forking out that kind of dough to get into the league, I would hope that all patent fees would be included in the franchise fee and annual dues. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me if the AFL/af2 tacked that on top of everything else.

Also, rumor has it that the 20 year patent on the rebound netting system expires at the end of this season. And, I've been hearing chatter that some of the indoor leagues may adopt the use of them beginning next season.

[rams80]

If someone is forking out that kind of dough to get into the league, I would hope that all patent fees would be included in the franchise fee and annual dues. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me if the AFL/af2 tacked that on top of everything else.

Also, rumor has it that the 20 year patent on the rebound netting system expires at the end of this season. And, I've been hearing chatter that some of the indoor leagues may adopt the use of them beginning next season.

Would this be the ones that have more "arena style" rules? (Intense and AIFA?)

[exit322]

I guess if you want to make your end zone seats virtually unsellable at a smaller-attendance venue, the nets are a great idea.

[preeths]

They're not that difficult to see through. If you're sitting in the first few rows of the endzones, they won't bother you at all.

[phydeaux72]

Would this be the ones that have more "arena style" rules? (Intense and AIFA?)

I don't know about the AIFA. But the IFL will definately NOT be adopting the use of rebound nets, ever. I've asked the owners personally about this and they have no interest of ever adding them to the game. And I'm glad. In my opinion, the nets make the game seem like too much of a gimmick. I much prefer the indoor game without them.

And, as for the nets hindering visibility, I've been to hockey games with nets surrounding the entire rink. When you're focusing on the game, the nets become out of sight, out of mind. You don't even notice them unless you're delibrately trying to look at them.

[sportsguy12]

I don't know about the AIFA. But the IFL will definately NOT be adopting the use of rebound nets, ever. I've asked the owners personally about this and they have no interest of ever adding them to the game. And I'm glad. In my opinion, the nets make the game seem like too much of a gimmick. I much prefer the indoor game without them.

And, as for the nets hindering visibility, I've been to hockey games with nets surrounding the entire rink. When you're focusing on the game, the nets become out of sight, out of mind. You don't even notice them unless you're delibrately trying to look at them.

to use nets. They don't even have enough turf and dasher boards to go around. Why would they want to worry about nets?

[rams80]

They're not that difficult to see through. If you're sitting in the first few rows of the endzones, they won't bother you at all.

One of the advantages (from my own experience) of not having nets is that it gives the fans a better chance to get stray footballs. Which are nice souvenirs...

[TalonFan7]

the famous forbes article.....

http://www.forbes.com/free_forbes/2005/0606/158.html

this is mid 2005 but its a great one