Albany/Indiana Firebirds 1990-2004

[ml91]

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[Jamie]

So, why can't AFL work in Indy? Why were they losing money? They had decent attendance and a strong fan base.

Who else will fold before 2005? Detroit?

[Pounder]

I remember when Boise's, um, intrepid sports radio talk show hack dialed into the Portland Forest Dragons' management, with the thought in back of mind of bringing Arena Football to Boise. The comment that broke our dear boy's heart was that break-even attendance for an average AFL team was 12,000 a game at an average ticket price of $20 or so.

That analysis was rendered before the labor negotiations that almost cancelled a season. I haven't been tracking ticket prices lately, but I suspect the break-even hasn't gone down. Up, perhaps?

Add to that the normal tendency of AFL teams to paper the house (giveaways only breed expectations for more giveaways- please remember that, fair citizens), then do the math. When doing the math, please remember that there are very few, if any, teams that are better than being just tenants in their buildings.

The simple truth is that there isn't much margin for error in this league, because of the costs.

I've heard rumors about Detroit and Carolina. Even though Grand Rapids probably gets credit for being the high profile tenant in Van Andel, I've heard the rumblings about their demise. I don't get why Georgia is moving back to Philips when they can't fill Gwinnett, nor why Vegas even bothers. This league has 6 solid franchises, 4 with good starts, and a lot of question marks- and some of the "solid" ones are showing signs of problems (Arizona, Orlando). The league has survived on constant regeneration and re-expansion, and it's really going to have to work that angle now.

[patmc16]

See my post in the "Detroit Fury" thread.

If an NFL owner (the Ford family / Detroit Lions), and the owner of the current NBA, WNBA, and NHL champions (Bill Davidson) couldn't make a go of the Fury, why would anyone else be interested in buying it? Maybe someone will buy the franchise, but if they do, it won't be operated in Detroit. I would be very surprised if Cleveland was their next home. The Cleveland Rockers recently died from lack of support, why would another non-major league sport be any different?

On a separate note, I could see the horrible season that Grand Rapids just had landing them in AFL2. I remember hearing that the league wanted them to step down ever since the AFL went "big city". This would be the time to force the issue. That would put the big league down 3 teams. I wonder how that would affect NBC's perception of the league and their relationship in the future?

[jsd38]

I got to see this team play in Indy and Albany. Several enjoyable
evenings. This e-bay stuff is childish. Just go out of business and
don't insult your old fans.

[Jamie]

By the way Jamie, I apologize for calling you a nasty name in another thread a few months back. :-)

Shoot! I don't remember it... now I have to go back and find it so I can get mad all over again... :wink:

[Jamie]

.... oh yeah... that one. FWIW I over reacted. Fuhgettaboutit.