Throughout the past week, there have been numerous reports that the Arena Football League may or may not cease operations for at least the 2009 season. The AFL, which has been in business since 1986, is facing a severe lack of capital due to the poor economy. According to the Associated Press, certain members of the league are advocating bringing in a private investing firm to help keep the league afloat.If they cancel their season, the AFL would join a sad list of leagues that have just run out of cash. One year ago, the United States Basketball League also closed its doors in an attempt reorganize financially. According to the league’s web site, they have retained Colebrooke Capital, a New York investment company “to explore ways to improve the structure of the Company, its sales, growth and shareholder value”.
Obviously, if a firm is not found, the AFL would be the biggest sports casualty to date to die at the hands of our mercilessly down-spiraling economy. While Major League Baseball is doing its usual winter kabuki dance and throwing money around like PacMan Jones at a strip club, there is no doubt surviving smaller leagues are wincing at their financial statements, hoping to make ends meet.
Organizations such as the AFL, the USBL, and other independent leagues only appear on the average sports fan’s radar during the worst of times or the best of times. But as teams and leagues fall by the wayside, there will of course be fans who miss them, just as there were Seattle Pilots fans back in the day, or more recently, Houston Comets fans who still mourn their team’s demise.
Although far from an economic expert, there are a few other leagues I think would be in trouble during these dire times. Among those are many of the independent baseball leagues throughout the country. These leagues are not affiliated with Major League Baseball and are often the last refuge of former MLB stars. Probably the most famous of the independent league teams are the St. Paul Pioneers and the Newark Bears. These teams have featured players such as J.D. Drew, Darryl Strawberry, Jose Canseco, Jose Lima, and Rickey Henderson.
Unfortunately, without MLB financial support, these independent leagues may not be able to pay for the type of name talent that will fill the seats. Without name talent, fewer fans will be drawn the park. Likewise, as customers reduce their expendable cash, the independent leagues will see a drop in attendance revenue. Because these leagues don’t have the cushion of television revenue available to the MLB, don’t be surprised to see some very creative marketing techniques in the next year by surviving independent teams. My prediction is that owners will start dusting off the Bill Veeck manuals. Is it too early for Disco Demolition Night 2: CD Demolition Night?
Another league I am concerned about is the Lingerie Football League. The LFL is the extension of the Lingerie Bowl halftime show and is due to begin play in 2009. Whereas independent baseball leagues provide older ballplayers a place to show they still have their skills, the LFL is primed to be the best opportunity for women to show off their football playing abilities. The league has planned to have organizations in cities such as Atlanta, Seattle, Miami, San Diego, and Tampa.
While the LFL has not publicly said anything about their financial situation, I would definitely guess the powers that be are worried. Can the league keep the momentum it has achieved as a Super Bowl halftime show and extend it into a whole season? Personnally, I think the LFL is too much of a niche gimmick league, even in the best of economic conditions. Unless the league is secretly funded by the NFL or even Vince McMahon’s WWE, the LFL front office has to be worried enough of its target demographic will still have expendable cash when the league kicks off in September.
Unfortunately, if the situation facing the AFL and the USBL is a harbinger of days to come, you might want to check out these leagues before the everlasting nothingness that is our economy claims even more victims.
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