Report: AFL having financial troubles

Dec 8, 2008 - 10:24 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Arena Football League is having serious financial woes and may be forced to temporarily suspend operations, according to published reports.

The Columbus Dispatch on Monday reported that two players on the Columbus Destroyers received text-message warnings that the league is in trouble. This news comes just two months after New Orleans VooDoo owner Tom Benson, who also owns the New Orleans Saints, told the AFL he planned to fold his team.

AFL senior vice president of communications Chris McCloskey told PA SportsTicker on Monday that he has been getting bombarded by phone calls on the league's financial health.

McCloskey responded to the reports with a prepared statement listing the issues that are delaying the planning of the upcoming season.

"The AFL is working on long-term structural improvements which have unfortunately delayed some important events, such as the release of the 2009 schedule, the dispersal draft, and the beginning of free agency," the statement read.

"We thank our fans for their enthusiasm for these events and ask them to be patient a little longer while we finalize our long-term improvements."

The Denver Post reported that the Arena League may be forced to dissolve or take one-year hiatus.

McCloskey, however, claimed he was misquoted by the newspaper, which reported him as saying: "We will explore other options with our team owners," if funding doesn't come by December 19.

In addition, the league is still searching for a commissioner after David Baker resigned in July two days before the ArenaBowl.

The league began play in 1987.