AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

The OSC Interview: AFL Commissioner David Baker

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on March 26, 2007 under 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 71-47 win over the Colorado Crush at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia Thursday night. Baker has been the commissioner of the AFL since 1997.

FS: How pleased are you to have ESPN not only as a broadcast partner but also as an equity partner of the AFL?

DB: I'll tell you what is exciting about it. I was real thankful for NBC, who did a great job in broadcasting our games, but ESPN can do a great job covering our athletes and our coaches and the teams.

They have fifteen platforms with radio, all their digital channels, espn.com and wireless that allows them to cover sports 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So ESPNEWS can be talking about our games and they can spread more stories about our players and teams, so that's what I'm real excited about.

FS: Do you like the job Mike and Mike, Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge have done broadcasting AFL games so far?

DB: I think it's a great group of guys. What's exciting is they're so excited about the product. Jaws is incredibly passionate, I think Mike and Mike are having a great time. Merril Hoge has always loved Arena Football. Later on we are going get Trey Wingo and Mark Schlereth. I think it's a great team, and what is so much fun about it for our fans that you can tell them, is that the guys from ESPN are having fun covering our games and that is always a good sign.

FS: Are you happy with the web coverage espn.com is giving you now that you are finally on their homepage?

DB: Love to be on that navigation bar right at the beginning. I hope all of our Arena Football fans are going to espn.com and getting on the AFL homepage because I think it can be just the start. What's exciting is that we have a five-year contract with these guys so it can grow every year.

FS: As far as the AFL player labor agreement, is a long-term deal being worked out?

DB: We actually signed a term sheet that is being ratified by our players and once all the teams ratify it, it's something we can announce.

FS: What are the prospects for future AFL expansion? Does Pittsburgh getting a new arena help its chances in getting an AFL team?

DB: Yes it does. We are looking at Pittsburgh, Boston, St.. Louis, Houston, Florida, Cleveland and Minneapolis. So there is a lot of interest right now.

FS: What is the future of the Tampa Bay Storm? Storm owner Woody Kern has been trying to sell the team for several seasons. How committed is Kern to keeping the team afloat?

DB: I know Woody Kern has been a great owner in the AFL for a long, long time, as long as I have been here. I'm thankful to have him as long as I can.

FS: What does the AFL need to do get more mainstream media coverage, like when you were on WFAN New York's radio show hosted by Mike Francesa and Chris Russo a couple of weeks ago?

DB: Those guys have been great. We just need to keep spreading the word.

If you have any questions or comments bout 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.

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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 26, 2007


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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