AFL Scores High Marks
October 14, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK -- The Arena Football League improved in 12 of 14 comparable categories from 1999 to 2003 and was called "arguably the most improved major sports property since 1999" in the 2003 League Report Card, a comprehensive survey conducted by Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal and which studies sponsorship satisfaction and value.
Sponsors graded the AFL first among all 16 major sports league properties included in the survey in the category titled "Property is flexible."
The AFL ranked second in four categories:
1) Property is forward thinking and progressive; they are looking ahead
2) Easy to coordinate programs between league and teams
3) Provides in-venue assets
4) Expertise to leverage our product and deliver value
Overall, the AFL ranked in the top three in seven of the 20 categories and in the top six in 11 of 20. The AFL also showed the greatest improvement since the '99 survey in four categories.
"We are encouraged by the recognition that the AFL has improved dramatically over the last four years in so many areas critical to the long-term success of a partnership," said Executive Vice President-AFL Properties GLENN HORINE. "We have worked extremely hard over the last few years to build a 'culture' that best matches our position in the sports and entertainment landscape with partners who believe in our fan-friendly and sponsor-friendly mission and future. We continually look for avenues to bridge national partners with local fans."
Following are some of the AFL's highlights:
Ranked No. 1 -- "Property is flexible"
Ranked No. 2 -- "Property is forward thinking and progressive; they are looking ahead"
Ranked No. 2 -- "Easy to coordinate programs between league and teams"
Ranked No. 2 -- "Provides in-venue assets"
Ranked No. 2 -- "Expertise to leverage our product and deliver value"
Ranked No. 3 -- "Client-centered and service-oriented"
Ranked No. 3 -- "Offer good value for the money"
Ranked No. 5 - "Innovative and aggressive marketers"
Ranked No. 5 - "Provide good service after the sale"
Ranked No. 6 -- "Property is well managed"
Ranked No. 6 - "Focus on strong ROI"
Greatest improvement
"Easy to coordinate programs between league and team" (+ 40%; No. 2)
Greatest improvement
"Client-centered and service-oriented" (+ 29%; No.3)
Greatest improvement
"Offer good value for the money" (+ 24%; No. 3)
Greatest improvement
"Innovative and aggressive marketing" (+ 23%; No. 5 overall)
About the survey
Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal surveyed 1,290 select individuals from companies that are known to be sports sponsors. A list of 290 people meeting this standard was provided by major sports leagues, and the remaining 1,000 were from internal lists. A 12-page questionnaire designed by SportsBusiness Journal and independent research firm Readex was mailed in early July, with a second mailing in August. The survey was closed on September 2, with 195 usable responses - a 15 percent response rate - providing a statistically significant total of responses for 16 sports properties, ranging from NASCAR and the PGA Tour to the NHRA and minor league hockey. The margin of error for percentages based on all 195 usable responses is plus-or-minus 6.5 percent with a 95 percent confidence level.
About Arena Football League
Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League, the second-longest running football league in U.S. history, will begin its 18th season in February 2004. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. The Austin Wranglers join the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo as the three expansion teams added for the 2004 season. At least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL will celebrate its second season on NBC in 2004.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from October 14, 2003
- Lions Add Former Arena Player to Roster - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Crush Names Mike Monroe Director of Communications - Colorado Crush
- Kolner Named Firebirds General Manager - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- AFL Scores High Marks - AFL I
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.
