2008: It Was a Very Good Year
June 25, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK - The 2008 AFL regular season will be regarded as one of the best ever for many of its off-the-field business successes. Viewership and merchandise sales registered increases compared to 2007 and average attendance set an all-time record. In addition, a new sponsor and a new city joined the AFL family making 2008 a very good year.
Viewership: More people watched Arena Football on ESPN2 in 2008 than in 2007. Viewership of AFL games on ESPN2 rose 12 percent. Total households increased nine percent. Viewership in the crucial male 18-34 demographic increased 24 percent and 15 percent for the male 18-49 demo.
Attendance: The 2008 regular-season average attendance set an all-time record. The AFL averaged 12,958 fans per game, which bested the previous record of 12,872 set in 2005. The 2008 average increased four percent over 2007, which registered 12,415 fans per game. Tampa Bay led the League by averaging 16,793 fans per game.
Although final figures will not be ready for a few weeks, average game ticket revenue had been pacing well ahead of 2007 and was also on pace to set a record. Los Angeles, New Orleans and Philadelphia had consistently been the top ticket-revenue teams.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 25, 2008
- Blaze pair earn honors - Utah Blaze
- Five 'Cats garner All-Arena honors - San Jose SaberCats
- Thomas Named ADT Defensive Player of the Month - San Jose SaberCats
- New York's Garcia Attempts to Climb Passing Ladder on Russell Athletic ESPN Arena Football Friday - AFL I
- Blaze Recievers Set New AFL Record - Utah Blaze
- Rush Donovan Morgan Named AFL Rookie of the Month - Chicago Rush
- Postseason Drive to Virgin Mobile Arenabowl XXII Begins with Wild Card Weekend - AFL I
- Awards Keep Coming for Soul - Philadelphia Soul
- MacPherson, Kicker Gowins Named AFL Players of the Month - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Robinson, Alfonzo and Harrel Voted to AFL All-Arena Teams - Chicago Rush
- Dragons' Parker and Taylor Earn All-Arena Recognition - New York Dragons
- 2008: It Was a Very Good Year - AFL I
- Rampage WR Higgins Makes All-AFL Second Team - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Samuels Honored - Tampa Bay Storm
- Gladiators' Marlion Jackson and Otis Amey Earn All-Arena Honors - Cleveland Gladiators
- Grand Rapids' Gowins Earn Player of the Month Honors - AFL I
- McGill Receives All-Arena Honor - Tampa Bay Storm
- Columbus Destroyers Offensive Linemen Will Rabatin and Howard Duncan Earn All-Arena Honors - Columbus Destroyers
- Seven Soul Players Named to All-Arena Team - Philadelphia Soul
- Three Desperados Named to AFL All-Arena Team - Dallas Desperados
- Philadelphia Places Four on First Team - AFL I
- Soul to Give Tickets to Morrisville Residents as Part of Chris Jackson Day - Philadelphia Soul
- Major Milestones and Records Set During Regular Season - AFL I
- Tiger Jones Named to All-Rookie Team - Georgia Force
- Soul Home Attendance Figure Increases - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul Band & Drumline March The Streets Of Philly - Philadelphia Soul
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
