AFL 2000 season re-opened

by AFL Press Release
March 1, 2000 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)

CHICAGO (March 1, 2000) – The Arena Football League was notified by the Arena Football League Players' Organizing Committee that they received authorization cards from an overwhelming majority of AFL players to act as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all AFL players. 
 
"The AFL ownership has now recognized the Arena Football League Players' Organizing Committee as the exclusive bargaining representative of all AFL players," said Commissioner David Baker, "and we are extremely pleased to report that the 2000 season is now re-opened and training camps will open as scheduled." 
 
"We want to thank all of our fans, sponsors, and other business partners for their support," said Baker. "The players have spoken, the owners have responded, and the fans have won." 
 
Deputy Commissioner Ronald J. Kurpiers said, "The AFL players and owners will immediately begin the process of negotiating an interim collective bargaining agreement for the 2000 season." 
 
Training camps open March 19 with pre-season games scheduled from March 25-April 9. The regular season will kick off April 13 with a live game on TNN between the defending ArenaBowl champion Albany Firebirds and Nashville Kats. 
 
Arena Football action will be shown live on four networks in 2000, including a Game of the Week on TNN, playoff games on TNN, ESPN, ESPN2, and ArenaBowl XIV on ABC for a third consecutive season, on Sunday, August 20. In total, 25 games will be televised nationally, including all 11 playoff contests. 
 
"After the tremendous exposure provided by the NFL and Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, a former Iowa Barnstormer, and the 42 other former Arena Football League participants who contributed to the NFL this past year," said Baker, "we expect the 2000 Arena Football season to be the greatest ever."  

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 1, 2000

• AFL 2000 season re-opened - OSC Original by AFL Press Release

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