Championship Chatter
July 16, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
Conference Title Game Ratings Improve
Ratings for this year's National and American Conference Championship games improved by 20 percent and 67 percent, respectively. This year's Cleveland-Philadelphia game registered a 0.6 rating, up 20 percent from a 0.5 for last year's Columbus-Georgia contest. The 0.6 is the AFL's highest rating on ESPN since the most recent broadcasting agreement began in 2007. Household impressions increased 13 percent to 545,000 in 2008 vs. 484,000 in 2007.
The Grand Rapids-San Jose game registered a 0.5 rating, up 67 percent from a 0.3 for 2007's Chicago-San Jose contest. The 0.5 rating ties for the second-highest ESPN rating since the new agreement began. Household impressions increased 58 percent to 465,000 in '08 vs. 294,000 in '07.
Commissioner David Baker's "State of the League" Conference Call
COMMISIONER DAVID BAKER said yesterday, "I have always had a vision for what [the AFL] can be, but it has exceeded my expectations in terms of what it has been...I'm really proud of the athletes we've got here. The brand stands for something, as the most fan-friendly League in the world because of our Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights."
On potential rule changes either next year or in the future, "The game is really beginning to mature and we are only tinkering with it when we think it can really make it better."
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow, the AFL will announce the winner of the 2008 Al Lucas Hero Award and the officiating crew for Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 16, 2008
- Philadelphia's Matt D'Orazio Named Champs Sports Quarterback of the Year - AFL I
- Soul Playoff Daily - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul: D'Orazio Named Champs QB of the Year - Philadelphia Soul
- Championship Chatter - AFL I
- Dallas' Will Pettis Named 2008 AFL Ironman of the Year - AFL I
- Players, Dancers, Mascots & Miss America to Appear at Inaugural Arenabowl Kids Zone - 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.
