Arena Football League on the brink of folding

[Queasy]

Link - They had hoped to restart the league in 2010 but that is looking as likely as a Disney starlet growing up to be a normal well-adjusted human being.

Ironically, the Arena League 2 (yes, there is a 2) is still playing their games and will likely continue on.

Kind of a shame. I went to one Georgia Force game and while it isn't the best football in the world, the game itself was fun in person. Much more fun than watching it on TV.

 

[Safeway]

Yea, it is a lame sport. Just like that Raw Football or whatever.

 

[OutHouse]

im really surprised it has lasted this long.

 

[SearchMaster]

I went to a Georgia Force game and it was one of the best experiences I've had at a sporting event.

The tickets were given to me, and were outstanding tickets. My son (about age 4 at the time I think) and I were at midfield in the first row after the box seats. A bit before halftime IIRC, the QB throws a quick out to the far side receiver but overthrows him by a bunch. The ball heads straight toward my son. Fortunately the usher tipped the ball and it landed next to my son. In the AFL, spectators get to keep the ball, so I make a half-hearted attempt to retrieve it, but there was a mad scramble and the guy behind us ended up with it. I look up, and my son is crying and I can't figure out why. The lady behind me says, "didn't you see what happened? The guy 4 rows up dove for the ball and hit him in the back of the head. The cops hauled that guy off."

Suddenly we look up at the scoreboard and the camera has focused on my son (valiantly hiding his tears at this point). A guy literally rappels out of the ceiling to come over and see if everything was okay (literally!). The owner of the team at the time (who also owned Aaron's Rent-To-Own) comes over to make sure he's okay, several surrounding patrons bought him candy and cokes, and several cheerleaders come over and fawn all over him and invite him onto the field after the game. We got pictures of him with the cheer squad, several players, etc. Oh, and the guy gave him the ball after all.

I haven't been since Arthur Blank bought the team and moved it to the GA Dome.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I went to a Georgia Force game and it was one of the best experiences I've had at a sporting event.

The tickets were given to me, and were outstanding tickets. My son (about age 4 at the time I think) and I were at midfield in the first row after the box seats. A bit before halftime IIRC, the QB throws a quick out to the far side receiver but overthrows him by a bunch. The ball heads straight toward my son. Fortunately the usher tipped the ball and it landed next to my son. In the AFL, spectators get to keep the ball, so I make a half-hearted attempt to retrieve it, but there was a mad scramble and the guy behind us ended up with it. I look up, and my son is crying and I can't figure out why. The lady behind me says, "didn't you see what happened? The guy 4 rows up dove for the ball and hit him in the back of the head. The cops hauled that guy off."

Suddenly we look up at the scoreboard and the camera has focused on my son (valiantly hiding his tears at this point). A guy literally rappels out of the ceiling to come over and see if everything was okay (literally!). The owner of the team at the time (who also owned Aaron's Rent-To-Own) comes over to make sure he's okay, several surrounding patrons bought him candy and cokes, and several cheerleaders come over and fawn all over him and invite him onto the field after the game. We got pictures of him with the cheer squad, several players, etc. Oh, and the guy gave him the ball after all.

I haven't been since Arthur Blank bought the team and moved it to the GA Dome.

pics of cheerleaders

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I went to a Georgia Force game and it was one of the best experiences I've had at a sporting event.

The tickets were given to me, and were outstanding tickets. My son (about age 4 at the time I think) and I were at midfield in the first row after the box seats. A bit before halftime IIRC, the QB throws a quick out to the far side receiver but overthrows him by a bunch. The ball heads straight toward my son. Fortunately the usher tipped the ball and it landed next to my son. In the AFL, spectators get to keep the ball, so I make a half-hearted attempt to retrieve it, but there was a mad scramble and the guy behind us ended up with it. I look up, and my son is crying and I can't figure out why. The lady behind me says, "didn't you see what happened? The guy 4 rows up dove for the ball and hit him in the back of the head. The cops hauled that guy off."

Suddenly we look up at the scoreboard and the camera has focused on my son (valiantly hiding his tears at this point). A guy literally rappels out of the ceiling to come over and see if everything was okay (literally!). The owner of the team at the time (who also owned Aaron's Rent-To-Own) comes over to make sure he's okay, several surrounding patrons bought him candy and cokes, and several cheerleaders come over and fawn all over him and invite him onto the field after the game. We got pictures of him with the cheer squad, several players, etc. Oh, and the guy gave him the ball after all.

I haven't been since Arthur Blank bought the team and moved it to the GA Dome.

neat story. Hope all of that cheered up your kid

 

[Svnla]

I went to see both AF (Dallas Desperados) and AF2 (Bossier Battlewings) games plus NFL (Dallas Cowboys) games.

While the AF/AF2 are not in the same caliber talentwise as the NFL but it is more fun and much cheaper.

Hopefully, the AF2 can carry on.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: SearchMaster
I haven't been since Arthur Blank bought the team and moved it to the GA Dome.

Same here. The stinky part is they were supposed to move back to the Gwinnett Arena for the 2009 season.

Oh well, there's always the AAA Braves team and the minor league hockey team.

 

[Mo0o]

isnt there another football league starting?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
isnt there another football league starting?

The United Football League. But they have yet to get anywhere close to getting off the ground despite saying they will be debuting in October. Their big player signing so far....JP Lohsman.

 

[xboxist]

I went to a Grand Rapids Rampage game maybe 7 or 8 years ago and I had good fun. But I consider it more of a novelty thing and I doubt I'd want to pay for the experience again. The NFL is so ingrained into the American psyche that any other version of football is just considered too gimmicky.

 

[lupi]

Not surprised, closing down even a supposed one year was a bad idea. Simple laws of physics man, in motion stays so, at rest tends not to move.