-
Jim Foster Creates Arena Football
Jim Foster, a promotions manager with the National Football League, conceived of indoor football while watching an indoor soccer match at Madison Square Garden in 1981. While at the game, he wrote his idea on a 9 x 12 envelope, with sketches of the field and notes on gameplay. Foster thought to himself, if soccer can be played indoors, then why not football? The idea then began to form. http://www.cleveland.com/gladiators/index.ssf/2014/08/how_arena_football_was_created.html -
Test Game in Rockford, Illinois
After spending three seasons with the now-defunct USFL, Foster sets up an AFL “test game” in Rockford, Ill., between the Rockford Metros and the Chicago Politicians.Sponsors were secured, and players and coaches from local colleges were recruited to volunteer to play for the teams, the Chicago Politicians and Rockford Metros, with the guarantee of a tryout should the league take off because of demanding interest.
http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=origcol&writer=23&article=3254 -
Development of AFL Rules
After the folding of the USFL in 1986, Foster focused all of his time on finalizing the rules for the Arena Football League. The unique set of rules include; An indoor padded surface 85 feet wide and 50 yards long with eight yard endzones, goal posts 9 feet wide, 8 players per team on field at once, four offensive players on line of scrimmage, four 15 minute quarters, no punting, kickoffs are live after hitting the nets, padded walls are in play
http://www.arenafan.com/interactive/?page=rules -
AFL Inaugural Season
The Arena Football League (AFL) debuts with a six game regular season that includes 4 teams; the Chicago Bruisers, Washington Commandos, Pittsburgh Gladiators and Denver Dynamite. 12,117 fans watched the first ever game at Pittsburgh Civic Arena between the Gladiators and Commandos with the game finishing 48-46 in favour of Pittsburgh. The inaugural game was not televised however ESPN eventually televised games to America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzBobvynM74 (First ESPN Game) -
ArenaBowl I
Arena Bowl I was the Arena Football League's very first Championship Game. It was played on August 1, 1987 at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In the game the #2 Denver Dynamite defeated the #1 Pittsburgh Gladiators by a score of 45–16. The game aired nationally on ESPN and was played in front of a crowd of 13,232 fans. WR/DB Gary Mullen had 9 receptions for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns to earn himself MVP of the game.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArenaBowl_I -
Patent on Arena Football
On September 30, 1987, Foster filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. His application for a patent was granted on March 27, 1990 and it covered the rules of the game, specifically covering the rebound netting and it's impact. It was patent number 4,911,433 making the AFL the only sports league in history to play a patented, rival free game. The patent expired in 2007.
https://worldwide.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?CC=US&NR=4911443&KC=&FT=E&locale=en_EP -
AFL's First Dynasty
In ArenaBowl IV, the Detroit Drive defeated the Dallas Texans 51-27 to win their third straight ArenaBowl in their third year of existence. The game was played in front of a home crowd of 19,875 Detroit fans, selling out nearly all games. The Detroit Drive reached the ArenaBowl every year of their existence which came to an end in 1993. The AFL's first dynasty came to an end when their owner Mike Ilitch sold the Drive to buy the Detroit Tigers.
http://arenafootball.wikia.com/wiki/Detroit_Drive -
League Expansion
The Arena Football League expands to 8 teams. Columbus, New Orleans and Orlando are the new sights of expansion teams and Pittsburgh relocates to Tampa bay and becomes the Storm. The Arizona Rattlers expansion rights are awarded to heralded Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo and begin play in 1992. The Tampa Bay storm win ArenaBowl V in tehir first season, the beginning of a new powerhouse in the AFL.
https://www.azrattlers.com/2016/09/19/key-dates-rattlers-history-90s/ -
AFL Attendance Record
ArenaBowl IX sets an attendance record as 25,087 watch Tampa Bay defeat Orlando at the Thunderdome (Tropicana Field) in St. Petersburg, Fla by a score of 48-35. 2 time AFL MVP, wide receiver George LaFrance wins his third ArenaBowl MVP and the fourth of hid five career ArenaBowl championships to become arguably the most decorated player in league history. The attendance record was influential in leading the AFL into a new era.
http://www.arenafootball.com/history/arenabowl-IX.html -
Kurt Warner leads Iowa Barnstormers to ArenaBowl X
Tampa Bay travels to Des Moines, Iowa to win ArenaBowl X, 42-38, over the Iowa Barnstormers, who are led by QB Kurt Warner. While Warner would lose both ArenaBowl appearances in his career, he is undoubtedly the most impactful player in AFL history. After his AFL stint, he would go on to lead the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl Victory in the NFL and the MVP award. Warner's accomplishments gave the league positive exposure and financial gains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIhXQq8IbS8 -
David Baker Named New Commissioner of AFL
David Baker, former mayor of Irvine, Calif. was named AFL commissioner in November of 1996. Standing at an imposing 6'9, 400 pounds Baker became a huge figure in Arena Football figuratively and literally. The former chair of the AFL Board of Directors would stay on as commissioner for 12 years and lead the AFL into the new millenium
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1996/11/8/Leagues-Governing-Bodies/AFLS-NEW-TOWER-OF-POWER-C-DAVID-BAKER-NAMED-COMMISSIONER.aspx?hl=AFL&sc=0 -
NFL Ownership in the AFL
NFL owners adopt a resolution to allow NFL teams to own AFL teams within their own markets. The New Orleans VooDoo’s expansion rights were awarded soon afterward to Saints owner Tom Benson, in the first affiliation between an AFL team and an NFL owner. The club began play in 2004. This was a significant milestone for the AFL as NFL partnerships demonstrated that the AFL could be considered as a significant league in the world of football
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_VooDoo -
ArenaBowl XII on Network TV
The AFL made its network-TV debut on ABC when ArenaBowl XII is viewed by more than two million fans. Orlando defeats Tampa Bay, 62-31, in front of 17,222 fans. After ESPN had success broadcasting the AFL in recent years, they decide to broadcast the ArenaBowl on their parent network ABC with good results. The game attracted 1.6 million households across America, a significant moment for the AFL as it only gained more exposure and interest. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_Bowl_XII -
NFL and AFL Agreement
The NFL acquires an option to buy nearly half of the AFL in a move that would give the NFL a direct pipeline into a summertime audience while providing the AFL an added dose of credibility. The deal gives the NFL the option to buy up to 49 percent of the AFL within three years and a role in running the league. Once more this move with the NFL increases the credibility of the AFL and could lead to increased relations between the two leagues in the future.
http://www.arenafan.com/?league=1 -
The AF2
The AFL Board of Directors approves the final four applications for arenafootball2 (af2) - the AFL's development league - to begin play in April 2000.Like most other minor sports leagues, the AF2 existed to develop football players and also to help players adapt to the style and pace of arena football. In addition, the AF2 was similar to other minor leagues because AF2 teams played in smaller cities and smaller venues.
http://www.arenafootball.com/history/af2-legacy.html -
AFL Sponsorship Deals
Ford Trucks and the U.S. Army became league sponsors; and a partnership with NFL.com also is created. The three year sponsorship deal with Ford at a price between 13 and 14 million became the largest such agreement in league history. The AFL's new relationship with the NFL was influential. William Ford Jr, chairman of Ford Motors was also a part owner of the AFL's expansion team the Detroit Fury.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/26/sports/plus-arena-football-arena-league-signs-deal-with-ford.html -
AFL Record Number of Teams
The AFL season begins in April with a record 19 franchises, including the Toronto Phantoms, the league’s first Canadian team. The Phantoms would win the East Division in their inaugural season however the club would fold in 2003. The record high number of teams in the AFL is a demonstration of the popularity that existed at that time. Having a team in Canada was also a major step as the NFL had not yet attempted such a thing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku5oFE48Fus -
AFL and NBC TV Deal
The AFL and NBC announced a broadcast partnership. NBC will televise AFL games on Sundays, including the playoffs and ArenaBowl, beginning in 2003. As part of the agreement, the AFL will begin its 2003 season in February instead of April. An average of 1.7 million households would tune in that year, the AFL's biggest TV audience ever.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nbc-sports--arena-football-league-announce-exclusive-national-television-partnership-76347622.html -
AFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
The AFL and AFL Players association solidified a long-term CBA that ran through 2010, the longest and most far-reaching in professional sports.The CBA replaced a settlement reached last year after the players filed a class action lawsuit against the AFL charging unfair labor practices. The players will receive an undisclosed percentage of player licensing agreements.
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2002/12/20021209/This-Weeks-Issue/CBA-Gives-AFL-Players-Stake-In-Growth.aspx -
Nike Sponsorship With AFL
AFL announces a multi-year partnership with NIKE, the first-ever exclusive "head-to-toe" uniform supplier/apparel partnership in its history, and with Upper Deck, the first-ever pact between the AFL and a sports trading card and memorabilia company. This was the climax of the AFL as they were getting sponsorships from all the major companies. 17 of the 19 AFL franchises participated with definite success.
http://www.chiefmarketer.com/afl-players-to-don-nike-apparel-in-5-million-deal/ -
AFL Broadcasting in Canada
A one-year deal is signed with Canada’s Score Television Network to broadcast 20 regular-season games in Canada, and a two-year deal is signed with the NASN that will broadcast up to 60 games throughout Europe. With another TV deal with Fox Sports in place, the AFL attempted to promote the game to all of North America. The Score used the NBC feeds for broadcasting.
http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2005/01/20050124/This-Weeks-Issue/AFL-Adds-TV-Deals-For-Canada-Europe.aspx -
Arena Football League Video Game
EA Sports' Arena Football is released to the public with critical acclaim. It is the first-ever AFL-themed game produced by the video game giant. attempting to compete with the NFL's Madden video game, this was a big milestone. The AFL became the second professional football league to have a video game, beating the CFL who had been a league for much longer. EA Sports was also a video game giant, giving the AFL game instant recognition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsGHh-brlqs -
AFL and ESPN Agree to New Deal
ESPN and the AFL enter into a five-year agreement that includes extensive multimedia rights and a minimum of 26 games per season, beginning in 2007. ESPN also purchased a minority ownership stake in the AFL as part of the agreement that enhances ESPNs football programming lineup, with year-round football on Monday nights. This marked the end of the NBC era, who had just commenced Sunday Night Football with the National Football League
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_Football_League_on_ESPN -
AFL Neutral Site Attendance Record
The San Jose SaberCats defeated the Columbus Destroyers, 55-33, to win ArenaBowl XXI. The sold-out crowd of 17,506 is the largest neutral site ArenaBowl attendance in AFL history. Compared to the past large crowds in ArenaBowls where the game was played in the home state of one team, this was different. ArenaBowl XX1 was played in New Orleans, a city far from both teams meaning that fans were interested in the event itself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArenaBowl_XXI -
Baker Retires as Commissoner of AFL
After 12 years as commissioner of the AFL, David Baker retired shockingly on July 25, 2008, two days before ArenaBowl XXII; deputy commissioner Ed Policy was named interim commissioner. Under Baker the AFL saw it's best years with increased attendance, viewers and profit. He grew the popularity of the game around North America and gained respect around the sporting world. With his resignation the AFL faced uncertainty.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-07-25-4218653957_x.htm -
Cancellation of the 2009 Season and Bankruptcy
A conference call in December 2008 resulted in enough votes from owners and cooperation from the AFLPA for the AFL to suspend the entire 2009 season in order to create "a long-term plan to improve its economic model." On July 20, 2009, it was reported that the AFL owed approximately $14 million to its creditors. In early August 2009, the AFL folded permanently and would file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
http://www.cleveland.com/gladiators/index.ssf/2008/12/arena_football_league_announce.html -
The Reopening of the AFL
After developing a unique economic model, the AF1 announced it would use the "Arena Football League" name. The league announced plans for the upcoming season and its contract with NFL Network to broadcast AFL games in 2010. AF1 teams were given the option of restoring historical names to their teams. In addition the league added 2 new expansion franchises, the Dallas Vigilantes and the Jacksonville Sharks.
http://www.clevelandgladiators.com/team/news/archive/court-approves-sale-afl-assets-af1-0 -
Aaron Garcia sets Professional Football Passing Record
Jacksonville QB AARON GARCIA throws his 1,000 career touchdown pass, a professional football record. Garcia becomes not only the record holder in the AFL, but across all professional football leagues, a major achievement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft_aRe1ioj8 -
Rock Music and AFL Football
In 2013, the league expanded with the addition of two new franchises, the Los Angeles Kiss (owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the rock band Kiss) and the Portland Thunder. In 2014, the league announced the granting of a new franchise to former Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil. That franchise, the Las Vegas Outlaws played their home games at the Thomas & Mack Center.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1738836-los-angeles-kiss-revealed-as-new-arena-football-league-expansion-team -
Major Changes and Future Uncertainty for the AFL
With disagreements between ownership and the AFL, many teams decided to leave for other indoor football leagues or disband altogether. After all the turmoil the AFL was left with 4 teams for the 2017 season. They recently added a 5th team in Baltimore. The AFL has said there are plans in place to restore the AFL to its glory. However with rival leagues strengthening and a lack of leadership, the future of the AFL is unknown.
http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/010517aab.html
