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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL, Officials Extend Deal

January 24, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – The Arena Football League and the Arena Football Officials' Association (AFOA) have solidified a long-term Collective Bargaining Agreement that will run through 2008, making it the longest current partnership between a league and its game officials in major professional sports.

"The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance to the Arena Football League," said Commissioner DAVID BAKER. "This agreement ensures that the best AFL officials will be working our games. We have been fortunate to have such a great relationship with our officials and this CBA ensures that relationship will continue through 2008.

The initial agreement with the officials was not set to expire until 2004, but both the League and AFOA saw the value of reaching a new agreement early.

"We recognized the strength in labor peace and decided to renegotiate our agreement a year early," said AFOA President WILLIAM MC CABE. "We believe that this is a positive step for the overall future of the AFL.

The points of the agreement include:

· AFL officials will continue to be supervised by the NFL.
· Escalating salary based on experience.
· AFL receives exclusivity of officials' services, except for their regular college officiating employment.
· The current labor agreement between the League and the AFOA ran through 2004, but the AFOA agreed to renegotiate one year before the end of the agreement.
· The term of the deal is through the completion of the 2008 season.

This is the second CBA the AFL has concluded in the past two months. In December, the AFL reached an agreement with its players that will run through 2010.

"These true partnerships provide labor peace on all fronts for our League for years to come," said Baker. "We are in great position with stabilized labor to properly grow our exciting new partnership with NBC heading into the 2003 season.

About Arena Football

Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League kicks off its 17th season and first on NBC beginning on Sunday, February 2, 2003. NBC will provide the AFL with unprecedented exposure by televising up to 70 games, including all playoff contests and ArenaBowl XVII on June 22.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 24, 2003


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.


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