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Amid Doubt, AFL's '09 Season a Go

Cash-strapped league plans to play on despite worries of some owners

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 11, 2008 7:12 AM CST

(Newser) – The Arena Football League blazed attendance records last year, reports the New York Times, but when league honchos met last night, it was to decide the murky future of the 2009 season. Though they decided to play on despite the gloomy economy, the league's untoward business model remains a concern: "We’re going to work on the economic model either way," said one owner.

High-profile owners are growing weary of punting money into the league without return, and some execs think a year off is what it needs to streamline. “We need a model that collectively works for the group,” said one owner. “At this point in time—and given the limited revenue streams that this model has—we have to look at prudent expense management and ways to produce revenue."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, left, and musician Jon Bon Jovi, part-owners of the Philadelphia Soul, hold up the AFL Championship trophy , Thursday, July 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker talks during a news conference in New Orleans Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

In this Feb. 6, 2008 file photo, Philadelphia Soul arena football team co-owner Jon Bon Jovi on the practice sidelines in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Spokane Shock quarterback Nick Davila reaches back and launches a throw towards the endzone against the Boise Burn, Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Press-Tribune, Charlie Litchfield)

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If you just look at assets and expense and what it costs to run a football team and what we’re spending and what we’re taking in, the model is currently not favorable for continuing a profitable operation. - Colorado Crush exec Luke Stahmer

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Amid Doubt, AFL's '09 Season a Go