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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

The OSC interview: AFL Commissioner David Baker

by Fran Stuchbury
March 7, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)


OurSports Central correspondent Fran Stuchbury had the opportunity to speak to Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker following the Philadelphia Soul's 61-54 loss to the New York Dragons at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia Sunday afternoon. Baker has been the commissioner of the AFL since 1997.

Fran Stuchbury: What did you think about today's game on NBC?

David Baker: It was a great game. When it comes down to the last play, it's a great game. When you're Commissioner you always want the home team to win, unfortunately, because it is best for the fans, but how can you argue against a game like this? I think it is good for New York. It would have been equally good for Philadelphia today. Right now every game counts and anything can happen. There is so much parity in the league.

Fran Stuchbury interviews David BakerFS: Are you happy with the officiating in the league so far?

DB: Yeah, I think these have been outstanding officials. I have one scoop for you. I think at our ArenaBowl meetings now that 92% of our games are on television, we will be looking at the potential of possibly having instant replay next year for the first time. So we are going be examining that.

FS: What's the process for expansion for the 2006 season?

DB: Our goal is to, I'm not sure if we will make it, is to have 20 teams for our 20th year.

FS: Could Kansas City be one of those teams?

DB: The people we are talking to have talked about playing in the old arena then playing in the Sprint building. I think it would be great for them to have two launches, one for the team, then one when they play in the new arena. I think that would be a pretty smart move on their part.

FS: Is the Salt Lake City ownership group pretty solid?

DB: We got some folks at this game from Salt Lake City. If that goes forward, I think that will be a really great group. The people who are part of the ownership group are quality people. They talked about the potential of having coach Danny White there. Nothing is official yet, but I think it has an excellent shot at happening.

FS: What's your take on the neutral site Arena Bowl? Is it a good move for the league?

David Baker (right) with former Arizona Rattlers coach Danny WhiteDB: I think it's going be good for the league because it gives us a couple of things.

1. Instead of having one ArenaBowl at a home site, we get to have two Conference Championship games, the American and National Conference.

2. We now know where the game is going be, so we are going have the awards banquet, the concert, the golf tournament, the sponsor summit, skills competition and of course the championship game. Then we will kick off our 20th season at the venue at the team that wins the game. So now we are going have many events instead of one event we used to have on six days notice.

FS: Do you feel af2 is heading in a strong direction?

DB: I think it is. There are some many good things about the af2: player development; coaching development, for minority coaches it's a great opportunity. Now in the AFL, we have six minority coaches for 17 teams. That's a phenomenal percentage.

In addition to that, we're also in a situation where, we have 43 international players in the af2, we have four in the AFL, so the player development, the coaching development, the people out there in secondary markets are getting to learn about Arena Football. I think af2 is doing great.

FS: What's your feel on the EA Sports video game coming to the AFL next season?

DB: I think its going be hot, its going be a lot of fun, very, very hot. It should be released February first/February second next year. I met with those guys, and they have some great plans.

If you have any questions or comments about this interview feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 7, 2005


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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