Arena Football League’s board of directors has voted to cancel the 2009 season to work on developing a long-term plan to improve its economic model, the league said in a news release today.
It is subject to agreement with the AFL players association.
“Every owner in the AFL is strongly committed to the league, the game, and, most importantly, the fans,” acting commissioner Ed Policy said in the release. “Owners, however, recognize that, especially in light of the current unprecedented economic climate, the AFL, as a business enterprise, needs to be restructured if it is to continue to provide its unique brand of this affordable, fan-friendly sport.”
The board of directors conducted a meeting via conference call Sunday night and voted to suspend the season.
“Although it is disappointing to suspend the 2009 season, the Arena Football League and its owners feel it is essential to reevaluate the current business model to ensure the livelihood of the AFL in the future,” Colorado Crush co-owner John Elway said in the statement.
HISTORY OF THE GAME IN COLORADO
Highlights of Arena Football in this area:
1987: In the Arena Football League’s first season, the Denver Dynamite wins a league title, topping three other teams. They fold after the 1991 season and eventually become the Nashville Kats and the Georgia Force.
2002: After discussions between Nuggets and Avs owner Stan Kroenke, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen and former quarterback John Elway, the trio pitches a successful bid to the AFL for an expansion team. Bob Beers is named the head coach; Joe Douglass, a receiver-linebacker, is the first player.
Feb. 2, 2003: Georgia defeats Colorado 41-40 in the Crush’s inaugural game, in front of a sellout crowd of 17,483 at the Pepsi Center. Five games later, the Crush win their first game, over host Indiana.
May 19, 2003: After a 2-14 season, Beers and crew are fired.
June 26, 2003: Mike Dailey named new coach.
Feb. 6, 2004: In front of a record crowd of 18,063 fans, the Crush earn their first win at home, a 43-42 comeback after John Dutton throws two TDs to Damian Harrell in the final 12 seconds.
May 30, 2004: The Crush complete the largest turnaround in AFL history, finishing 11-5, the league’s best record. After winning a quarterfinal game, the Crush are eliminated by top-seeded Arizona in the semifinals two weeks later.
June 5, 2005: After earning their first division title, the Crush win a wild 49-43 semifinal in overtime over the Chicago Rush to advance to the ArenaBowl.
June 12, 2005: Clay Rush’s 20-yard field goal as time expires gives the Crush a 51-48 win over the Georgia Force and their first and only ArenaBowl championship.
May 12, 2006: The Crush finish 11-5, tying their best record, and earn a second straight division title. Colorado’s Rashad Floyd sets an AFL single-season record with 136.5 tackles. They lose in the first round of the playoffs two weeks later.
March 10, 2007: Crush coach Mike Dailey becomes the fourth AFL coach to reach 100 wins.
April 15, 2007: Offensive lineman Kyle Moore-Brown plays in his 200th consecutive game after not missing a game in a then 13-year career.
June 26, 2007: The Crush qualify for the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. After topping Kansas City in the first round, they are eliminated by San Jose in the quarterfinals.
Nov. 2, 2007: Wide receiver Damian Harrell signs a free-agent contract with the Chicago Rush. In a stellar five-year career with Colorado, Harrell was a two-time AFL offensive player of the year, and scored 229 receiving touchdowns. He holds AFL single-season records for TDs scored (61) and points (366) and a career record with TD catches in 78 consecutive games.
June 28, 2008: After a 6-10 regular season, the Crush beat the Utah Blaze in a first-round playoff game. They are eliminated a week later after a loss to San Jose.
