It still isn't known if the Arena Football League will suspend operations for the 2009 season. Their board of directors had a conference call yesterday to discuss what they are going to do and, as of now, the 2009 season is still going as planned.
However, there is no schedule, free agency has been delayed and there is no commissioner for the league. Longtime commish David Baker abruptly resigned just before July's Arena Bowl.
The player's union is willing to tighten their belts. They are offering a massive paycut across the board and willing to cut the salary cap from $2 million to $1.4 million to keep the league going.
"I'm one of the top-paid guys and I was the first one to say I'd take a pay cut," Ahmad Hawkins, union rep for the Grand Rapids Rampage, told the newspaper. The Press said Hawkins, a defensive back, earned $75,000 last season.
"We agreed to take the salary cap lower. The players want to do anything we can to play this season," Hawkins said, according to the paper.
It's a nice gesture by the players, but I think a decision has been made. I think the season will be canceled even though several teams are going about business as usual. This is a niche league that has amazingly lasted 22 years with many expansions and contractions. Who knows if or when a 23rd season may occur.
AFL's Players Union Offers to Slash the Salary Cap to Keep League Going originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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