Post by Free Agent Fan on Jul 3, 2009 14:00:46 GMT -5
www.mlive.com/rampage/index.ssf/2009/06/chicago_rush_owner_afl_should.html
Chicago Rush owner: AFL should wait until 2011
by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press
Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:30 AM
The silence has been broken.
Although owners of the shuttered 15-team Arena Football League issued a self-imposed gag order this spring, two members of the Chicago Rush ownership group spoke out recently and suggested the league should remain idle until 2011.
The AFL has been working on a revamped business model to relaunch next year after canceling its 2009 season due to financial problems.
"It's too late to commit to a 2010 season because we don't have enough time to properly prepare," Rush owner Alan Levin told the Chicago Sun-Times news group.
"Our problems have started with bad leadership from the commissioner on down. Now, we're just a bunch of owners still working to develop a strong economic plan to attract investors and partners," he added. "I'd rather see us commit to resuming operations for the 2011 season. But to do that, we'd have to start now."
Rush part-owner Mike Ditka agreed.
The former Super Bowl-champion coach of the Chicago Bears and NFL Hall of Famer predicts the league might have to contract if and when it returns.
"I would love to see the AFL come back. But if you ain't heard anything by now saying they will, I don't see them coming back because there were too many weak sisters," he told the Chicago Sun-Times news group. "If the league does (return), it will probably have to scale itself down and make sure it has more solid ownership and much better management."
The league has been silent for almost two months.
The owners and players agreed to a new four-year collective-bargaining agreement in March, clearing the way for the league to resume play in 2010.
The players ratified the deal.
The owners, who've missed numerous self-imposed deadlines for ratification of the term sheet, abruptly terminated all insurance benefits to its players on June 1.
The lead negotiator for the owners, Columbus Destroyers owner and AFL executive committee chairman Jim Renacci, has not returned The Press' calls or e-mails seeking comment about the league's possible return in 2010.
The league issued a prepared statement in response to the Levin's and Ditka's comments.
"We are still working diligently to ensure the future viability of the AFL so the league can return to play next season," Renacci said. "A plan has been shared with our owners about revitalizing the league, and now the focus is developing a course of action to execute that plan."
Grand Rapids Rampage owner Dan DeVos and chief operating officer Scott Gorsline have repeatedly declined comment on league matters, citing the gag order.
DeVos has pledged the Rampage will be part of a relaunch in 2010, if it happens.
E-mail Brian VanOchten: bvanochten@grpress.com
Chicago Rush owner: AFL should wait until 2011
by Brian VanOchten | The Grand Rapids Press
Tuesday June 30, 2009, 11:30 AM
The silence has been broken.
Although owners of the shuttered 15-team Arena Football League issued a self-imposed gag order this spring, two members of the Chicago Rush ownership group spoke out recently and suggested the league should remain idle until 2011.
The AFL has been working on a revamped business model to relaunch next year after canceling its 2009 season due to financial problems.
"It's too late to commit to a 2010 season because we don't have enough time to properly prepare," Rush owner Alan Levin told the Chicago Sun-Times news group.
"Our problems have started with bad leadership from the commissioner on down. Now, we're just a bunch of owners still working to develop a strong economic plan to attract investors and partners," he added. "I'd rather see us commit to resuming operations for the 2011 season. But to do that, we'd have to start now."
Rush part-owner Mike Ditka agreed.
The former Super Bowl-champion coach of the Chicago Bears and NFL Hall of Famer predicts the league might have to contract if and when it returns.
"I would love to see the AFL come back. But if you ain't heard anything by now saying they will, I don't see them coming back because there were too many weak sisters," he told the Chicago Sun-Times news group. "If the league does (return), it will probably have to scale itself down and make sure it has more solid ownership and much better management."
The league has been silent for almost two months.
The owners and players agreed to a new four-year collective-bargaining agreement in March, clearing the way for the league to resume play in 2010.
The players ratified the deal.
The owners, who've missed numerous self-imposed deadlines for ratification of the term sheet, abruptly terminated all insurance benefits to its players on June 1.
The lead negotiator for the owners, Columbus Destroyers owner and AFL executive committee chairman Jim Renacci, has not returned The Press' calls or e-mails seeking comment about the league's possible return in 2010.
The league issued a prepared statement in response to the Levin's and Ditka's comments.
"We are still working diligently to ensure the future viability of the AFL so the league can return to play next season," Renacci said. "A plan has been shared with our owners about revitalizing the league, and now the focus is developing a course of action to execute that plan."
Grand Rapids Rampage owner Dan DeVos and chief operating officer Scott Gorsline have repeatedly declined comment on league matters, citing the gag order.
DeVos has pledged the Rampage will be part of a relaunch in 2010, if it happens.
E-mail Brian VanOchten: bvanochten@grpress.com
