Home » Sports » Arena Football » Looking ahead

Looking ahead

© John D. Klaers

Looking ahead so soon after the Arena Bowl is fun but fraught with potential for error. What the heck, I'll charge ahead anyway.

First let's separate facts from rumors. First fact: the Nashville Kats are no more. After playing in the Gaylord Center for the past four seasons, the Nashville Kats will be sold to a group in Atlanta and moved to that city. It's possible that Nashville may get an AFL2 team in it's place. Second Fact: Orlando Predators Head Coach Jay Gruden has resigned to become the Predator's quarterback. Line Coach Fran Papasadero will be the Head Coach. Third fact: Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones will have an AFL team starting next season in Dallas. No word on the teams name as yet. Fourth fact: ex-Superbowl winning QB John Elway will head up a group that will own an expansion franchise in Denver. No word on the exact starting season.

From the rumor mill: the Houston Thunderbears may be moving to Kansas City for the 2002 season, and the first NFL owner to get an AFL franchise; Tom Benson, will finally get underway in 2003. Even though they have had approval for two years they have had many delays. Finally, the biggest rumor of all is that the NFL will exercise it's option and buy 49% of the AFL after it's owner's meeting in October. It is rumored that they want to change the name of the league to NFL Indoors. The option doesn't expire untill March of next year, however.

Now let me move on to pure conjecture. This past season has been one of the most successful in the 15 years that the AFL has been around. It has gotten unprecidented exposure and will continue to get it. ABC has been doing the ArenaBowls since 1998 and this season showcased the talents of Brent Musberger and Lynn Swann. In addition there had been a lot of commercials for the league during NFL pre-season games and if people tuned in for the first time they saw what the AFL was all about: high scores and non-stop action. This off-season will be very interesting indeed. I will keep you all posted.

Finally, the league announced it's 15th Anniversary All-Arena Team. This was voted on by visitors to the Web Site and by coaches and media. In my opinion, the results of this were skewed by the large contingent of fans that are new to this league. Thus, many superb players who retired a few years ago were not included. Here's the list: